Annie celebrates a century in style
Michael Commins
ANNIE Curry was the toast of Knock on Saturday when she sailed past the 100 mark in style. The new centenarian, not looking a day of the renowned milestone, was feted by family and friends at special celebrations in the village.
In the Queen of Peace Nursing Home in Knock, Archbishop Micheal Neary was joined by Msgr Joe Quinn, Fr Richard Gibbons, brothers Fr Kieran and Fr Jarlath Heneghan and Fr Jim Mannix for a special Mass of Thanksgiving. The Archbishop, who led the tributes to Annie, later presided at the presentation of the President’s Cheque and also read out a letter of congratulations from Mary McAleese.
A dinner and party was held in the Belmont hotel on Saturday afternoon where the family were joined by neighbours and friends and where Annie was the centre of attention.
Her daughter, Sr Margaret, former principal of the Presentation Convent in Tuam, was compere for the ceremony and the informal nature of her lovely address to the gathering added immensely to the special occasion. One of Annie’s favourite singers, Kevin Prendergast, dropped by to sing a few special songs on the day that was in it.
Almost 70 years have gone by since Annie O’Brien from the nearby village of Eden married John Curry of Carramore, Knock in 1939. They met in the dance hall in Knock which still can be seen near the round-about.
Annie and John (who died in 1984 at the age of 85) reared seven children, four boys and three girls. She herself was one of a family of eight children born to James and Bridget O’Brien. They worked hard to raise and educate their family. Education was highly valued and this resulted in nobody staying at home.
Annie cycled to the church and the local shop up until her 80s. After that, her kind neighbours took her to Mass when family members were not around. She was an avid reader and was happy and content with a good book in her hands. So intense was her love of reading that she had her cataracts done at the age of 93.
Like many of her generation, Annie was happy and content in the family home. She worked hard over the years and loved to see family, neighbours and friends call around to visit.
Three years ago, Annie made her third trip to Lourdes, in the kind care of the Order of Malta and two of her daughters. It was a wonderful achievement for her and her dearest wish come true.
All seven of the family were present in Knock for the celebrations. Billy (Dublin), Sr Margaret (Galway), Jimmy (Dublin), Sean (Tramore), Della (Galway), Tommy (New York) and Marian (Galway) were delighted with the reception accorded to their mother. Family in-laws, grandchildren, together with neighbours and friends, enjoyed a lovely day in Knock.
Nephews Jimmy and Vincent Hogan flew back from New Jersey for the occasion as did her grandnephew Brian Coyne, her grandniece Ann Marie and her son Michael. Jimmy’s wife Denise (nee O’Reilly from Ballyvary) was also home for the occasion. Others came from England and the continent. It was the first time in 21 years that all of Annie’s 15 grandchildren were together at the same time.
For Annie Curry, it was a special day which saw her follow in the footsteps of her aunt Maggie Cassidy from Tooreen who reached the grand old age of 105. (Maggie died back in 1990). The longevity gene is being nurtured well in the family circle!
