Tributes paid after teacher dies the day after passing of her newborn baby

Olivia Kelleher

Tributes have been paid to a “one in a million” teacher and former equestrian who died in hospital of a sudden illness the day after the passing of her newborn daughter.

Aoife Bird, who was originally from Ferrybank in Waterford but was living in Longwood in Meath, died at the Regional Hospital in Mullingar last Wednesday.

Her daughter Ailbhe had passed away the previous day.

Aoife, whose maiden name was Oates, was a popular teacher at Ashbourne Community School in Milltown, Ashbourne in Co Meath.

In a statement the school said that it was with “profound sadness” that they were sharing the sad news of the sudden death of their “esteemed colleague, friend and Spanish, Business and SEN teacher Ms Aoife Oates.”

“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.”

Parents at the school indicated that Aoife was a kind and generous teacher who went the extra mile to help students reach their potential.

The Irish Horse Board also offered their condolences to the family and friends of Aoife and baby Ailbhe Bird. They said that Aoife was a “talented and valued member of the Irish equestrian community for many years.”

The Waterford Tipperary Branch of Showjumping Ireland said that Aoife was a competitive member of their branch for many years.

“She represented her branch all over the country aswell as abroad. Her father Peter was also a committee member for several years.

"We send our deepest condolences to her 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.”

Meanwhile, tributes were also paid online by Scoil Mhuire Secondary School in Trim, Drogheda Credit Union, Waterford Camogie, Foroige, and various sporting clubs in Meath and Waterford.

In a notice on Rip.ie the family of Mrs Bird announced the passing of their beloved Aoife and her daughter Ailbhe. They said that Aoife died following a “sudden illness” surrounded by her “heartbroken family.”

Aoife Bird will lie in repose at the home of her parents in Ferrybank in Waterford, on Sunday from 2 pm to 6 pm. She will subsequently lie in repose at her home in Ballymulmore in Longwood, Co Meath on Monday afternoon from 2 pm.

A funeral mass will take place on Tuesday at 11 am in St Brigid's Church, Boardsmill, Trim, Co Meath. Burial will follow in Clonee Cemetery in Longwood.