Martha Bredin Garvey

[Cian McCarthy @arealmofwonder]

Rest in peace, Patricia Routledge 🙏🏻

In memory of her, I encourage everyone to read these words of hers from February last year.

Whether young or old, you're bound to get something out of it.

*****

"I’ll be turning 95 this coming Monday. In my younger years, I was often filled with worry — worry that I wasn’t quite good enough, that no one would cast me again, that I wouldn’t live up to my mother’s hopes. But these days begin in peace, and end in gratitude.

My life didn’t quite take shape until my forties. I had worked steadily — on provincial stages, in radio plays, in West End productions — but I often felt adrift, as though I was searching for a home within myself that I hadn’t quite found.

At 50, I accepted a television role that many would later associate me with — Hyacinth Bucket, of Keeping Up Appearances. I thought it would be a small part in a little series. I never imagined that it would take me into people’s living rooms and hearts around the world. And truthfully, that role taught me to accept my own quirks. It healed something in me.

At 60, I began learning Italian — not for work, but so I could sing opera in its native language. I also learned how to live alone without feeling lonely. I read poetry aloud each evening, not to perfect my diction, but to quiet my soul.

At 70, I returned to the Shakespearean stage — something I once believed I had aged out of. But this time, I had nothing to prove. I stood on those boards with stillness, and audiences felt that. I was no longer performing. I was simply being.

At 80, I took up watercolour painting. I painted flowers from my garden, old hats from my youth, and faces I remembered from the London Underground. Each painting was a quiet memory made visible.

Now, at 95, I write letters by hand. I’m learning to bake rye bread. I still breathe deeply every morning. I still adore laughter — though I no longer try to make anyone laugh. I love the quiet more than ever.

I’m writing this to tell you something simple:

Growing older is not the closing act. It can be the most exquisite chapter — if you let yourself bloom again.

Let these years ahead be your TREASURE YEARS.

You don’t need to be famous. You don’t need to be flawless.

You only need to show up — fully — for the life that is still yours.

With love and gentleness,

Patricia Routledge

*****

Once more, rest in peace. 🤍

[Ciaran Hogan Wicklow @HoganCiaranWW]

I had to close my Dublin based business this Summer for much of the same reasons that closed Mamma Mia. Dublin is turning to a rotten hollowed out wasteland. @DubCityCouncil are you responding to this at all?

[Peadar Tóibín TD @Toibin1]

Not only have Breast & Cervical cancer screening collapsed, but,

waiting time for Chemo is way outside the safe zone.

Yet Jennifer doesn't see the point in even trying to recruit.

Thousands of Irish medical professionals are leaving Ireland every year.
https://t.co/0fOhqNUvkl

[Irish Unity 🇮🇪🇵🇸 @IrishUnity]

📍 Dublin, Ireland

[Úna Keightley @UnaKeightley]

#JusticeForHarvey

[Peter Behan (Our Lady’s Hospice Whistleblower) @AnybodyButBerti]

For those who couldn’t attend today’s #JusticeForHarvey march, you can still show your support. Please RT and share with friends — let’s get #JusticeForHarvey trending across Ireland.

[Peter Behan (Our Lady’s Hospice Whistleblower) @AnybodyButBerti]

A great turnout for #JusticeForHarvey today

[Peadar Tóibín TD @Toibin1]

Well done to the thousands of people that made the stand today for Harvey, his family, and justice.

This is only the start of the campaign.

[RTÉ News @rtenews]

More than 1,000 people have turned out for a march in Dublin in memory of nine-year-old Harvey Morrison Sherratt, who had spina bifida and scoliosis and died last month https://t.co/I2guM7lHVd

[Dr Tom Clonan @TomClonan]

Thanks for this @caulmick - Proud to carry the banner & speak at today’s #JusticeForHarvey Rally - Respect & ❤️ to Gillian & Stephen - Harvey’s Mum & Dad

[RTÉ News @rtenews]

The parents of a six-year-old boy have expressed frustration and concern after they received a letter from the HSE stating that the Assessment of Need service in their area was closed in March due to no psychologists being in post https://t.co/EpkckMbjn6

[Paddy McKenna @paddymacc1]

Parents of child who died after waiting years for scoliosis surgery call on Simon Harris to resign
#ResignHarris
https://t.co/Up7RX581vi

[Gillian Sherratt @GillSherratt23]

At this point we would ask all political parties to back our campaign to get #JusticForHarvey. Including seeing the resignation of @SimonHarrisTD
The board of @CHI_Ireland to be disbanded, and for there to be a full public inquiry in to Children’s health Ireland spina bifida and complex orthopaedic care.
These kids have been failed long enough and we need to see true systemic change brought in. #ResignHarris

Please feel free to share and tag any politicians and political parties not already tagged below and put the pressure on

@SocialistParty @sinnfeinireland @pb4p @SocDems @fiannafailparty @finegael @AontuIE @labour @greenparty_ie @catherinegalway @PresidentIRL @paulmurphy_TD @RuthCoppingerSP @MaryLouMcDonald @davidcullinane @MarkWardSF @GaryGannonTD @EmerHigginsTD @MichealMartinTD @HollyCairnsTD @ivanabacik @DuncanSmithTD @CarrollJennifer @1Hildegarde

[Irish Independent @Independent_ie]

State ‘completely failed’ boy who died after waiting for scoliosis surgery https://t.co/6kG8SK6KXJ

[Roisin NiChleirigh Confident Women Ireland🇮🇪🩵🇮 @Roisin_Ni]

Brilliant article by Brenda Power!

[Paul Treyvaud @PaulTreyvaud]

Start of a new week. Get it back to number 1 & 2 trending in Ireland

Who knows, maybe @rtenews might hear of it then too

#JusticeForHarvey #ResignHarris

[Brian MacCraith @muirtheimhne]

At the @gaelicplayers Legends’ Lunch in ⁦@CrokePark⁩ today, @MeathGAA & ⁦@officialgaa⁩ icon Seán Boylan received a GPA Lifetime Achievement award! Seen here with his wife, Tina, Seán was accompanied by his family & many stalwarts from All Ireland winning Meath teams!

[The Irish Politics Newsletter @IrishPoliticsNL]

I think the bigger story here is that the Happy Pear of are not producing their own ready meals. While they are certainly giving the impression they are. That won't go down well with the food fascists.

[Joe Brolly @JoeBrolly1993]

Too late President @vonderleyen far far too late. And false. Now that the starvation, mass murder and ethnic cleansing is obvious to the world, you are covering your back with empty words. No emergency intervention to break the siege & feed the people. No sanctions. Nothing.

[Kilmacud Crokes GAA @KCrokesGAAClub]

Excellent write up for Malaki who has deep connections with Kilmacud Crokes having played underage for the club and brother to Dillon Mulligan who is currently on the AHL 2 side. We are supporting you every step of the way!!