
Mayo woman reveals simple key to ‘happy life' ahead of turning 102 this weekend after revealing biggest lifetime changes
Catherine Conway, a
When Catherine was born, prohibition was still in full swing in the
Catherine loves
And she also revealed that her secret to living a long and happy life is simply "working hard".
To celebrate the milestone of her 100th birthday Catherine had a large birthday party in a local hotel.
READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS
Around 150 people joined to celebrate with the beloved lady in Gullane's Hotel on the special day.
In an interview with Midlands 103, Catherine reflected on the changes she has seen over her 102 years.
In particular, the introduction of phones, computers and washing machines are the most significant changes she has noticed.
She also believes that people, especially
MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN
She said: "I think everybody seems to have too much, and the same goes for children.
"They end up with far too many toys and presents and everything.
Top 10 Birthday Freebies
"We never had anything like that. If you got something small, you would be happy.
Maybe we would get maybe an apple or an orange or something in our stocking at Christmas."
Now she prepares to celebrate this milestone over the weekend with friends and family.
Earlier this week Sarah Coyle, Ireland's "oldest person", died aged 108.
Sarah died on Monday, ten days before what would have been her 109th birthday.
She is said to have died peacefully, surrounded by her family.
Sarah, who was born on July 24 1916, in Knockatomcoyle, Co.
At the age of 17, she moved to
In 1957, Sarah would lose her sight at the age of 40 following a head trauma.
'SHE LOVED THE SIMPLE THINGS'
Speaking with
He said, "She was great with her hands and was great at laying guide wires in the garden. She loved plants and colours,
"She loved the simple things."
He notes that his grandmother could recall the Second World War which at the time was called "The Emergency".
And that she could even remember the the Black and Tans and had clear memories of them and their distinctive uniforms.
1
Catherine Conway revealed the top tip ahead of her birthday
Credit: Supplied
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Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
D-Day veteran and TikTok star ‘Papa Jake' Larson dies aged 102
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The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Mayo woman reveals simple key to ‘happy life' ahead of turning 102 this weekend after revealing biggest lifetime changes
ONE of Ireland's oldest women has revealed the secret to her "long happy life" ahead of turning 102 this weekend. Catherine Conway, a When Catherine was born, prohibition was still in full swing in the Catherine loves And she also revealed that her secret to living a long and happy life is simply "working hard". To celebrate the milestone of her 100th birthday Catherine had a large birthday party in a local hotel. READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS Around 150 people joined to celebrate with the beloved lady in Gullane's Hotel on the special day. In an interview with Midlands 103, Catherine reflected on the changes she has seen over her 102 years. In particular, the introduction of phones, computers and washing machines are the most significant changes she has noticed. She also believes that people, especially MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN She said: "I think everybody seems to have too much, and the same goes for children. "They end up with far too many toys and presents and everything. Top 10 Birthday Freebies "We never had anything like that. If you got something small, you would be happy. Maybe we would get maybe an apple or an orange or something in our stocking at Christmas." Now she prepares to celebrate this milestone over the weekend with friends and family. Earlier this week Sarah Coyle, Ireland's "oldest person", died aged 108. Sarah died on Monday, ten days before what would have been her 109th birthday. She is said to have died peacefully, surrounded by her family. Sarah, who was born on July 24 1916, in Knockatomcoyle, Co. At the age of 17, she moved to In 1957, Sarah would lose her sight at the age of 40 following a head trauma. 'SHE LOVED THE SIMPLE THINGS' Speaking with He said, "She was great with her hands and was great at laying guide wires in the garden. She loved plants and colours, "She loved the simple things." He notes that his grandmother could recall the Second World War which at the time was called "The Emergency". And that she could even remember the the Black and Tans and had clear memories of them and their distinctive uniforms. 1 Catherine Conway revealed the top tip ahead of her birthday Credit: Supplied

Irish Times
2 days ago
- Irish Times
Woman who died days before 109th birthday ‘lived life to the full', funeral hears
The woman believed to be Ireland's oldest person, who died just days before her 109th birthday, 'lived life to the full' and was a 'masterclass in resilience', her funeral has heard. Sarah Coyle , who was born in the year of the Easter Rising, died on Monday surrounded by her family. Fr John Gilligan, who led the Requiem Mass at St Brigid's Church in Blanchardstown in west Dublin on Friday, described her as a 'lady with a great sense of fun who loved chatting'. Fr Gilligan said Ms Coyle saw Ireland change 'through many seasons', while her advice was 'don't bear grudges and be kind to people'. READ MORE Ms Coyle was born in Knockatomcoyle, a townland in Co Wicklow, before her family moved to Coolkenno, near Tullow. She was working as a housekeeper in Foxrock when she met her husband Tom Coyle from Cavan at a dance. They lived in Drumcondra and had four children, though two of their daughters died as newborns. Mr Coyle died in 1968 while Ms Coyle began to lose her sight from her late 30s. She is survived by her daughter Marian, son Patrick and sister Lily, aged 103. Ms Coyle's granddaughter Anne-Marie said she was 'selfless and would do all she could for others'. She described her grandmother as 'an amazing host' while 'acts of service were her love language'. She spoke of Ms Coyle's self-deprecating nature saying she was 'never demanding, not one to hog the spotlight or be the centre of attention'. Anne-Marie said despite the 'much suffering and heartache in her life', her grandmother 'didn't dwell on it and refused to let it define her'. 'It would have been easy for her to grow bitter and angry at the world and nobody could have blamed her, but she actively chose happiness and love repeatedly,' she said. 'I always found it a testament to her strength and resolve that, despite living in total darkness for the majority of her long life, she brought light to many. She was a masterclass in resilience.' She added that the 'world was so much brighter' for her being in it and was 'the very best of nanas and the very best of women'. Anne-Marie said she would 'forever think of sunshine' when she thinks of her grandmother. Ms Coyle's son-in-law Anthony described her as a 'role model to all of us, an inspiration and an example of how we should all live our lives'. He said she had 'all the qualities of a saint here on earth' while recalling her 100th birthday celebrations. 'She used to say: 'I can't believe I'm 100 years old and I'm still here. I wonder has God forgotten about me?' And we would say: 'Far from it, he hasn't forgotten about you but you still have important work here on earth and he's leaving you here for more'. She would break into her lovely smile and say: 'I suppose he'll call me when he needs me'.'