Inventor (93) says 'if you have an idea, put it out there'

The crowds were amazed by the ingenuity of 93-year-old veteran inventor, Tony Bergin, who took the stage at the National Inventions competition segment of the Tullamore Show on Sunday.

The inventor is showing no signs of slowing down, after participating in the Tullamore show for an impressive 26th consecutive year.

Last year, Tony’s outstanding invention, the ‘Coat Hanger Plus Helper,’ earned him an award for its innovative design, designed specifically to assist individuals with reduced mobility to dress themselves independently.

This year, he returned with his walking aid, which he believes is the safest of its kind.

After undergoing hip replacement surgery, Tony devised this “safer model” featuring skids on the back, offering enhanced stability while in motion.

In comparison, the walking aid he received from the HSE had wheels that proved to be too lively and unpredictable.

Reflecting on his creative process of being an inventor, Tony said: “I’d go to bed at night with an idea, and I’d stay awake all night. Something evolves in your mind all the time as you go along.”

Recently, Tony, who is from Cooleshall on the Offaly, Tipperary border, shared his views on life and inventing in a conversation on RTÉ Radio 1’s Countrywide: “My philosophy is to help people. There is so little connection with human nature – if you have an idea, put it out there – if it’s any help to people at all.

“We get more satisfaction out of giving things than taking.”

The Tullamore Show, Ireland’s premier National Livestock event, attracted 60,000 visitors last weekend.

Additions to this year’s show included a hot-air balloon display and the new Sustainable Livestock Village.

The event had a total prize fund of €175,000, and hosted more than 1,000 competitions on the Butterfield Estate.