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Mary celebrates 100th birthday
20.06.10
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by Caoimhinn Barr, Inishowen Independent
ONE OF Inishowen’s oldest residents, Mary McColgan,
received a special letter from President Mary
McAleese to mark her 100th birthday last week.
Born in Glackmore, Ture, Muff in 1910, Mary lives
with her daughter and son-in-law, Annie and Hughie,
and granddaughter, Annmarie McCallion at Aught.
The only one of a family of four still alive, Mary
married Willie McColgan in the early 1930s before
raising a family of eight children.
Granddaughter Annmarie said Mary is just happy to
celebrate another birthday.
“Every birthday is the same to her really. She
doesn’t like to make a big deal of things. It’s just
another birthday and she won’t panic about it,” she
said.
In a low point in January 1987 Mary’s son, John
McColgan, was drowned after a fishing accident in
Lough Swilly. |
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“It was a real tough
time then. John was only 49,” said Mary’s daughter
Annie.
A dedicated family woman, Mary continues to have a
deep love of Inishowen and rarely strayed from her
home at Carnamoyle over the years. One hospital
appointment took Mary to Sligo – the farthest she
has ever been from home.
An independent woman, |
Mary worked in a
factory during World War II and can still recall the
night that a lone German bomber struck the city
killing thirteen.
A farmer’s wife, Mary also worked hard on the land
at home in Inishowen, often stacking turf and
helping with the corn. She was a good cook and baked
scone bread every day.
Like most women of her generation, Mary never
learned to drive and cycled to Derry on a regular
basis.
“She loved going to Derry for a day out,” said
son-in-law, Hughie.
A fan of old country singers like Eileen Donaghey,
Mary continues to enjoy watching TV at home. She
also looks forward to local priest, Fr. Farren’s
visits.
Though hard of hearing, Mary remains in good health
and doesn’t even need glasses.
Mary’s secret to such a long life? She never smoked
or drank alcohol and enjoys simple country living. |
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