There was sadness in Laois in the middle of January when Bernadette (Bern) McRedmond passed away.
Ms McRedmond, from Knockanina in Mountrath, died peacefully on January 14 surrounded by her loving family.
Bernadette was one of 11 children belonging to the late Bernie and Sheila McRedmond – coming seventh in the family.
Born in 1967, Bernadette went on to live a remarkable life and became the first person from Laois to win a medal at the Special Olympics.
Before all of that, Bernadette was born at a time when services for those with special needs isn’t what they are today.
Speaking to LaoisToday, Bernadette’s sister Kathleen Mulhall recalled the early part of her life.
She said: “My mam died when we were all very small. She died in 1975. When she left us, the youngest was two and the oldest was seventeen.
“When mam died, my oldest sister took on ‘the mammy role’ of the house and reared the small ones.
“When she moved on, the next girl took the role and so forth.
“My dad had a very small farm and worked in the cattle mart in Mountrath to help make ends meet – but losing a mother at such a young age has a huge effect on a family.
“Bern had special needs when she was born, so she was a big handful. She was in nappies until she was about five.”
When Bernadette was five, she went to a special school called St Anne’s Centre for the Mentally Handicapped in Shanross, Roscrea.
She would leave on a Sunday evening and return home on a Friday.
Kathleen said: “There were other children from the area who were attending too – Mary McInerney, Mary Kissane, and Mary Gorman.
“We had no car at home, but all those people were so good. They used to collect her and bring her back on a Sunday evening and then bring her home on a Friday evening.”
And it was in school where Bernadette developed her love of sport – a love that would see her embark on the journey of a lifetime at just 12-years-old as she qualified for the Special Olympics.
Kathleen said: “I remember the Leinster Express newspaper had a report on Bernadette at the time.
“It said: ‘Bernadette McRedmond has won herself a coveted trip to the USA because of her sporting achievements.
‘She won two gold in 50 and 200 metres in the big games for mentally handicapped, which were held in Gormanstown.
‘The American trip comes as an added bonus and means she will be joining 15 other children from various parts of Ireland this holiday of a lifetime.
‘Since she was four, and with the loving care and attentions of the sisters and staff at the centre, she has made remarkable strides.
‘Her aptitude for athletics and especially for running, which she took up last year, has been the latest development and one that has brought joy to her family, teachers and her many friends.
‘Sports at St Anne’s has been promoted in a big way since last year, thanks to the farsightedness of the matron, Sister Martin.
‘She has encouraged the promotion of athletics in every way possible and already the idea has borne fruit’.”
At the games, Bernadette impressed most of all and was selected as a representative from the team to take part in the Special Olympics in New York during the first week in August 1978.
This would be the first time that Ireland ever competed at the games and Bernadette went in the 200 metres.
Kathleen said: “Ireland won 17 medals at the games – and Bernadette won a bronze medal.
“Bernadette won a load of national medals after that and competed as far as about 1985.
“But that was the only Special Olympics that she attended. I informed Special Olympics Ireland about her passing.
“The CEO Matt English, he put up a condolence which was read out at her mass and it was so fitting, I have to say.
“He said, ‘I’m honoured to be participating at an Olympian’s funeral mass here today.
“You know, it was just special. That’s exactly what she was, an Olympian.”
Another key part of Bernadette’s life was the Laois Arch Club and following news of her passing, they posted a wonderful tribute to her.
They said: “Bernie McRedmond was a beloved member of Laois Arch Club for over 30 years. During that time she made loads of friends, both Arch Club Members and Arch Club Volunteers.
“Bernie looked forward to our monthly discos in the Midlands Park Hotel where she met her friends and enjoyed the music.
“Until her health declined in recent years, Bernie also loved coming on our annual weekend away to Limerick where she joined in all the activities.
“Bernie will be remembered for so many lovely things. Her excitement at meeting her friends in the Arch Club every month. Bernie would talk nineteen to the dozen in a rush to tell you all her news the minute she saw you.
“Her great sense of humour: Bernie was always up for the craic and any bit of devilment. She loved having a laugh or a joke and had the heartiest of laughs that was so infectious.
“Her love of music and dance: Bernie adored music of all kinds and always carried a set of earphones and a mini CD player, ipod, or, in recent years, her iPhone in her handbag which was always hanging around her neck, despite the weight.
“Bernie would listen to her music at top volume, singing and dancing along to it with a huge smile on her face.
“Her love of jewellery, especially long dangly earrings. Her love of shoes, especially runners. We called her Imelda Marcos because she had so many,
“Her beautiful smile which lit up her face. Her great big, warm hugs.
“All of our members and volunteers would like to send sincere condolences to Bernie’s family. May Bernie’s gentle soul rest in peace. We are really going to miss her beautiful smile and those warm hugs.”
The thing with Bernadette was that she never forgot her Special Olympics experience.
Kathleen said: “She was going downhill for the last couple of weeks before she passed.
“And only two weeks before she passed, she went for a physio and I brought her over.
“I brought my album with the write-ups. And I sat down beside her. And I said to her, ‘Bern, do you remember all of this?’ Well, it was as clear as day in her mind.
“Forty-five years later. I couldn’t believe it. She never forgot it. Her bronze medal was so important to her.”
Rest in Peace Bernadette McRedmond – Laois’s first ever Special Olympian.
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