Bridie Sweeney

Bridie Sweeney, an inspiration to anyone who has the pleasure of meeting her, has been volunteering in Tallaght for over 50 years. The great-grandmother, who is well known face around the area has selflessly given her time to the elderly, the needy and the sick and it is because of this that The Square is naming her its first ever ‘Community Champion.’ The honour, which will be announced at the launch of our official magazine and this website, will see Bridie rewarded for her hard work and loyalty to her community with a €100 gift card for The Square. Bridie said she is deeply honoured and chuffed at the recognition. She said: “I am very proud to be awarded this title, it is really lovely and I am very grateful.”

Among her many other commitments, which included her family of four children, Bridie was involved with the senior citizens club which met every Wednesday night in the Church of Ireland. She then worked with People in Need which held a function every two years. “Things just kept going from there,” said the former (twice) Mayor of South Dublin County. “People knew me from different elements of volunteering and then asked me to get involved with them and I was more than happy to do it.”

For 20 years Bridie has been involved with the St Vincent De Paul in St Martin De Porres. The group meets every Wednesday night and goes out and meets with those in need. As president of the branch for seven of her years involved she has seen a lot but says that her training has stood to her and she is able to cope with the saddening situations she often encounters.

She said: “Ivor Brown trained me and anyone in my group has always been a good volunteer. You have to know what to do that’s best for the person involved, to take the positives when they come – and they do – and know how to leave it at the door when you come home.” Home for Bridie was her husband and four children. Sadly her husband passed away 22 years ago but her two boys and two girls as well as her 12 grandchildren and seven great-grand children have kept her busy.

“It’s all about making time for the people around you – that includes the people I work with and help through volunteering and my family. I have certain days for volunteering and events and I have certain days in the week where my children are regularly free and I wouldn’t dream of doing anything but being with them.Bridie Sweeney, an inspiration to anyone who has the pleasure of meeting her, has been volunteering in Tallaght for over 50 years. The great-grandmother, who is well known face around the area has selflessly given her time to the elderly, the needy and the sick and it is because of this that The Square is naming her its first ever ‘Community Champion.’ The honour, which will be announced at the launch of our official magazine and this website, will see Bridie rewarded for her hard work and loyalty to her community with a €100 gift card for The Square. Bridie said she is deeply honoured and chuffed at the recognition. She said: “I am very proud to be awarded this title, it is really lovely and I am very grateful.” “They are all very good to me and very supportive,” she added.

It was a visit to Tallaght Hospital last year, where Bridie gives out Communion every week, that drew her attention to the fact that she was 50 years a volunteer and from there her award for that commitment, from Trustus, was bestowed upon her.

“I was shocked myself,” she said but this lady had documents to prove it! She notified Trustus and they awarded me and we had a lovely afternoon in Molloys. Kevin Molloy along with the likes of Phyllis Lynch in The Cuckoos Nest have always been very good to me over the years which is great because it isn’t about me it’s about the support and caring of so many people who allow me to do what I’m trying to do.”

The immediate plan for Bridie is to keep going – she has no intention of giving up – and hopes for two things – health and happiness for the people in need. She added: “I’ll take it one day at the time. So long as I am awake I will make the best of every day. I pity those who need help and I’ll do anything I can to make a difference to them.”

Congratulations Bridie – our Community Champion.