Mayo nursing unit get ready to celebrate Anthony's 100th birthday milestone

THERE will be great celebrations in the St Fionnan's Nursing Unit on Achill Island on Friday when one of its residents, Anthony Gallagher, celebrates his 100th birthday.

A native of Chongie Road in Dooagh on Achill, Anthony will reach the magical milestone this Friday and is looking forward to celebrating the day with his family and the staff of St Fionnan's with a glass of Guinness on the special occasion.

“I have a bottle of Guinness cooling in the fridge and it's been a while since I had a drink so I am looking forward to having a taste of it on Friday,” Anthony told The Mayo News.

The great-grandfather was born in Dooagh on July 26, 1924, the oldest child of a family of nine to John Gallagher and Mary Gallagher, née Grealis, a native of Dooniver.

The Achill of 1924 was a far cry from the world of today but Anthony has fond memories of his childhood in Dooagh with many neighbours and lots of activity in the seaside village. He explained that for his Christening he was carried over three miles to Dookinella Church and his early years involved tending to animals and seeing what the sea brought in.

Like so many of his generation, Anthony sent to Scotland to work on the potato farms and it was in Scotland where he met his wife Catherine McNamara, a native of Dooega on Achill and they were married in St John's Church in Paisley outside Glasgow.

There was plenty of work in England following the war and Anthony and Catherine eventually settled in Birkenhead outside Liverpool where he worked in construction. While living in Birkenhead, Anthony was a follower of the local football team, Tranmere Rovers and enjoyed a bet or two on the horse particularly around the time of the Grand National when Liverpool would come to a standstill.

Returned home

Anthony and Catherine spent 52 years in England before they returned back to live in his home on the Chongie Road in the mid 90s.

His daughter Julie McNulty, who proceeded their move back to Achill with her own family, said her parents settled right back into life in Dooagh.

“He was always smartly dressed and had a comb in his pocket to comb his hair and look smart. He loved St Patrick's Day and going out and following the bands. He is the last of his generation but he is still in good health and there is nothing wrong with his memory,” she explained.

Anthony's wife Catherine passed away 20 years ago and he entered St Fionnan's in 2016 and has nothing but praise for the staff. He still gets up every morning and enjoys watching football and horse racing on the television.

“He enjoys having fun with the staff here and they love him to bits,” Julie explained.

Great delight

There was great delight for Anthony when his grand-daughter Mary arrived to visit him a few weeks ago with his fourth great-grandchild, Cara Grealis, in his arms.

“He loves when we come down to visit and hold Cara in his arms and have fun with her. He still has great energy and it is hard to believe he will be 100 this Friday,” Mary said.

The family plan to go for a meal with Anthony in Óstán Oileán Acla on Friday before returning to St Fionnan's where the staff have promised to make a big fuss of him. Speaking on reaching 100 years, Anthony is modest about the achievement and there is no big secret to long life.

“You have to just keep carrying on and live your life. I didn't do anything different from anyone else but I'm lucky to reach 100. I enjoy being here and I'm well minded and I thank God for that.”