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Extra.ie
7 days ago
- General
- Extra.ie
Ireland's 'oldest woman' dies just days before 109th birthday
A woman who is believed to have been Ireland's oldest person has died aged 108, her family has confirmed. Sarah Coyle died peacefully, surrounded by her family, at her home in Dublin yesterday evening (Tuesday), just ten days before her 109th birthday. Sarah (Byrne) was born on July 24th 1916 at Knockatomcoyle in County Wicklow where she was one of ten children, but she moved to Dublin at the age of 17 to work as a carer for an elderly lady in Foxrock, before moving to Drumcondra after she married Tom Coyle in 1950. Sarah Coyle. Speaking to RTE's Morning Ireland Radio programme, her grandson Thomas Galligan said his grandmother had a great attitude to life, and even though she lost her eyesight in an accident in 1957, she had a 'get on with it' way about her, which saw her adapt to life without her sight. Thomas Galligan said his grandmother had two young children to care for at the time of the accident and though she was blind as a result of a head injury, she had a very positive mindset and just got on with it. He also said his grandmother's advice to anyone hoping to live a long life, was not to hold grudges and drink lots of tea. Sarah Coyle often spoke of her life and her memories of seeing the 'Black and Tans' on the streets and remembers their very distinctive uniforms, and she also had clear memories of The Emergency (WWII) as it was called at the time, and the rationing of food that came with it. Sarah Coyle had a total of eight presidential medals, an honour received each year by people who reach the age of 100 and over. Sarah has one living sibling, a sister Lily who is 103 and lives in Birmingham. She is remembered fondly by her two children, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
The Journal
16-07-2025
- General
- The Journal
Ireland's oldest person dies aged 108
SARAH COYLE, BELIEVED to be Ireland's oldest person at the age of 108, has died. Ms Coyle passed away on Monday, 14 July, ten days before she was to turn 109. She was born on 24 July, 1916. Advertisement Her grandson Thomas said that she died peacefully surrounded by her family. She was living with her daughter Marian Gilligan in Castleknock, Co Dublin. In an interview with the Irish Times in April this year, Ms Coyle's daughter spoke about her mother's childhood in Co Wicklow. She had significant memories of the Black and Tans' operations in her locality as a girl, as well as memories of the War of Independence (1919-1921) and the Civil War (1922-1923). Ms Coyle married and settled in Drumcondra, having four children, two of whom sadly died as newborns. Ms Coyle's sister Lily was 103 in April. He brother Andy reached the age of 101. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
