Communities in Meath, Kilkenny and Waterford devastated as mum dies one day after the death of her baby daughter – ‘Heaven has acquired two precious angels’

Aoife Bird (née Oates) was originally from Ferrybank in Co Waterford, near the Kilkenny border, but had been living with her family in Ballymulmore, Longwood in Co Meath.

Mrs Bird passed away following a sudden illness on November 26, surrounded by her heartbroken family at the Regional Hospital Mullingar, just a day after the passing of her baby daughter, Ailbhe Bird, on November 25.

Mrs Bird was a popular Spanish, business and SEN teacher at Ashbourne Community School in Co Meath who said they are supporting their school community at this time of “immense sorrow and grief”.

“It is with profound sadness that we share this message with you,” said a spokesperson for Ashbourne Community School in a statement on Facebook.

“We have received the sad news of the sudden death of our esteemed colleague, friend, and Spanish, business and SEN teacher, Ms Aoife Oates and her daughter Ailbhe.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Aoife’s husband, Jim, and the extended family.

“We are supporting our school community during this time of immense sorrow and grief. May their gentle souls rest in peace.”

Tributes are also pouring in from Mrs Bird’s home community of Ferrybank.

“Ferrybank GAA is deeply saddened to hear of the tragic passing of Aoife Oates and her baby Ailbhe,” said a spokesperson for Ferrybank GAA & Camogie Club.

“On behalf of all our players, coaches, members and supporters, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Aoife’s husband Jim Bird, their son Daithí and the Oates/Freeman families at this incredibly difficult time.

“The Oates/Freeman families have always been deeply involved in our club as players and loyal supporters and their loss is felt across the entire Ferrybank GAA community.

“Aoife will be remembered with great fondness and our thoughts are with her family, friends and all who mourn her passing.”

Meanwhile, Slieverue GAA & Camogie Club in Co Kilkenny extended their heartfelt sympathies to the Mrs Bird’s family, friends and loved ones.

Countless other mourners have also taken to RIP.ie to share their heartbreak at the unexpected news.

“We are just so shocked and saddened at the death of your beloved Aoife and Ailbhe,” said one mourner on RIP.ie. “So difficult to comprehend. The void that your girls leave behind will never be filled. All the precious memories you have will give you some comfort over the difficult times ahead. Rest in peace Aoife and Ailbhe and watch over your precious family.”

“Such a tragedy,” added another mourner. “The loss of a beautiful mum and her little baby. My sincere condolences to Aoife’s husband Jim, little boy Daithí and all extended family.

“Heaven has acquired two precious angels.”

Mrs Bird’s remains will repose at her family home in in Ballymulmore, Longwood in Co Meath on Monday, December 1, from 2pm until 8pm.

Her funeral mass will take place on Tuesday, December 2, at 11am in St Brigid’s Church in Boardsmill, Trim, Co Meath. Burial will take place afterwards in Clonee Cemetery Longwood.

Aoife will be “sadly missed by her loving husband Jim and baby boy Daithí, her devastated parents Peter and Margaret, sisters Siobhan, Aisling and Róisín and brother Shane, mother-in-law Veronica, grandparents Micheal and Kathleen, brothers-in-law Ryan, Jack, Charley and Lee, nephews and nieces Beth, Anna, Tadhg and Rory, aunts, uncles and all the wider Bird, Oates and Freeman families plus all Aoife’s many heartbroken friends and colleagues in Ashbourne Community School,” read her death notice on RIP.ie.