People of Offaly: Maggie Bartlett

Born on Church Street in Clara 77 years ago to Trish and Billy Kennedy, Maggie Bartlett has spent most of her life in England, but Clara has never left her.

The eldest of 11 children, with 7 living today, Maggie moved to London with her family when she was just eight years old. Sadly, her mother also had four stillborn babies.

Her childhood memories of Clara are centred around family, including Auntie Molly, Auntie Nanny, Uncle Joe, and her cousins Margaret, Ann and Kay Kennedy, Laura Egan, Emmie Scanlan, Phil Brennan, Joe, Thomas and Jimmy Newman.

Maggie also remembers that not all of her Clara memories were happy ones, including her time at the Convent.

Years later, Maggie returned with her husband Tony, who grew to love Clara and County Offaly too. Together with Maggie’s mother, they stayed with family in The Green and were touched by the warm welcome they received from relatives and strangers alike.

After Tony was diagnosed with vascular dementia in his 60s, Maggie cared for him for 11 years until his passing in 2022.

Since then, her visits to Clara have taken on an even deeper meaning. Staying with her cousin Kay and Kay’s husband Ray Horan, the town has become a place of comfort, memory and peace.

In Maggie’s own words:

“After Tony died, this little town became my sanctuary, my happy place and feels like home. I simply love it.”

Maggie’s story is a touching reminder of the comfort, connection and sense of belonging that home can give, even after many years away.

People of Offaly – sharing the stories of Offaly people at home and abroad.