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Bishop makes a special visit to his cousin Rena for her 98th birthday

January 21st, 2016 5:06 PM

By Southern Star Team

Bishop of Cork and Ross Dr John Buckley, with his cousin Rena, at her home in Rylane, on her 98th birthday, with her granddaughter, also Rena, of camogie and Gaelic football fame. (Photo: Mike English)

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So it was fitting that the Bishop should celebrate Mass in Rena’s home on the occasion of her birthday, where he met up with his cousins.

Rena Buckley from Glounaglough, Rylane was born 98 years ago on the first day of January 1918 in Gurtlehard, Kilgarvan, Co Kerry – in the same house as the father of the Bishop of Cork and Ross, Dr John Buckley.

So it was fitting that the Bishop should celebrate Mass in Rena’s home on the occasion of her birthday, where he met up with his cousins.

Rena expressed her delight at the Bishop’s visit and she was happy to be joined by seven of her eight children, Mary, Susan, Con, Diarmuid, Michael, Margaret and Tim, as well as twenty of her twenty seven grandchildren.

Bishop Buckley complimented his cousin, Rena, on her long life, loyalty to her faith and dedication to her family and on looking so well on the night. Also present was Mrs Buckley’s grand daughter and namesake, Rena, holder of sixteen All Ireland medals.

The Bishop, himself a former Cork minor hurler and road bowler, who tested himself against the likes of the legendry Mick Barry, congratulated Rena on her extraordinary successes.

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