Brenda celebrated her 90th birthday with her neighbours in Castlewood Gardens, Carlow 
Photo: michaelorourkephotography.ie

Nintieth birthday for Brenda

By Elizabeth Lee

Brenda Higham Dowling got a pleasant surprise on Thursday when she answered her front door to her friends and neighbours singing happy birthday to her!

They presented her with flowers, a basket of fruit, cake, cards and buckets of good cheer – but all within the limits of social distancing rules, of course!

Brenda turned 90 on Thursday and because of cocooning, her neighbours in Castlewood Gardens in Carlow town wanted to make the day special for her.

She’d an early visit from her friends in Carlow Choral Society who had made a special recording of them singing happy birthday to her, too.

Brenda is a dedicated member of the choir and is an avid gardener. She was born on 30 April 1930 in Yorkshire, England, and was a teacher for the blind before she got married. She and her husband moved to Rossmore, County Laois in the 1960s and 18 years ago, she moved to Castlewood Gardens where she’s made many lovely friends.

She was delighted with her surprise birthday party and thoroughly enjoyed her special day.

“I got such a surprise when I opened my door and saw my neighbours singing happy birthday!” Brenda smiled. “It turned out to be a wonderful day for me. Ninety is just a number, after all!”