Kathleen Oliver

“The noblest art is that of making others happy”.

[Michael McQuaid @McQuaidNFL]

The opening to The Masters on CBS was just unreal:

[Golf Digest @GolfDigest]

"Maybe I'm just good."

Shane Lowry on why he makes so many holes-in-one. 😂

[Shane Lowry @ShaneLowryGolf]

I’ve been lucky to experience some cool things in my career…today was another @TheMasters ☘️

[Kathleen Oliver @Zio2013]

@MLavelle2000 Brilliant result & well deserved CB lads! 👏🏼

[Muse @xmuse_]

In the sweetest of waitings, wishing you a Merry Christmas Eve. ✨

Bethlehem’s Nativity Grotto, where Jesus was born. 🙏 https://t.co/p6an47xaN5

[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. 🤍

[Shane Lowry @ShaneLowryGolf]

Life long dream 💙🏆

#TeamEurope

[Kathleen Oliver @Zio2013]

@ballsdotie An absolute Legend is Shane Lowry ⛳️🥳👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[Kathleen Oliver @Zio2013]

@PeterMcAnenly Beautiful 🙏🏻

[GameSenseCoaching @GaelicSense]

This is a class view of the Clifford point before half time via @eammagu

#GAA

[Kathleen Oliver @Zio2013]

@PeterMcAnenly Brilliant well done 🙏🏻

[Jane Mangan @jane_mangan]

Rachael Blackmore is the greatest female jockey the world has ever seen. We can only consider ourselves lucky to have witnessed her achievements in our lifetime.

She didn’t just break glass ceilings - she painted the whole damn sky ✨

[Friar Mario Conte @FriarMario]

Room 201 at Casa Marta was Pope Francis' bedroom until the day he passed away.

[Fr Peter McAnenly @PeterMcAnenly]

On this special day when we say farewell to Pope Francis, we give thanks to God for this great shepherd who has led our Church for the last 12 years. May God bless all who are gathered in Rome for his Requiem Mass & all joined by television or on line throughout the world.

[RosarySon @SkyVirginSon]

May Pope Francis rest in eternal peace, forever interceding for us in the presence of God. 🙏

[Fr Peter McAnenly @PeterMcAnenly]

Take a few moments in the coming days, to visit any of the Churches in our parish, to light a candle & say a prayer in thanksgiving for the life & ministry of Pope Francis.

[Catholic Sat @CatholicSat]

The last Popemobile ride of Pope Francis, doing what he did best, despite being gravely ill, being close to the faithful, blessing babies and even a child with cancer. This was his last public appearance. This was his goodbye

[Claire Hanna @ClaireHanna]

An attempt to strip Zelensky of his dignity by two of the most ignorant thugs to ever walk the world stage. The humiliation is ultimately America’s.

[BBC Newsline @bbcnewsline]

The family of an eight-year-old boy who lost his hurling ball in Donegal last July, whilst they were on holiday, say they are amazed that the Sliothar has washed up on the Scottish Coast. The ball was found by a man out walking on the island of South Uist on Monday.