These Dubliners lived through World War Two, saw the capital’s tram network disappear and then return in the 21st century, and made it through as the country was rocked multiple times by economic turmoil.
But the mood was jovial as 11 Dublin centenarians celebrated with family and friends at the Mansion House on Dawson Street in the heart of the city.
And the guests, served afternoon tea while a pianist played in the background, couldn’t have been more elated, receiving a framed scroll from Lord Mayor Ray McAdam and signing Dublin’s Centenarians Ledger.
100-year-old Mary McGrath was in flying form, and with her daughter beside her, she regaled attendees with stories from a long life spent in the capital.
Pictured is Mary McGrath (100) from Killester, Dublin 7.
“I’ve seen a lot of changes in Dublin,” she said, and though she hails from Henrietta Street, she’s a big fan of the spanking new Docklands area.
“All the buildings down the quay are marvellous. There was nothing like that when we were young,” she said.
When asked what has kept her going for so many years, she said she loves a tipple. “I’m a brandy drinker. Me and Hennessy were great pals.”
“It kept me alive, and I’m still doing a little dance,” she smiled.
Cormac O’Broin was the lone man of the 11 centenarians in attendance, but was surrounded by what he called a “sampling” of his daughters.
Mr O’Broin, who says he’s “100 and three-quarters”, was another of the group that had spent his whole life in the capital.
“It’s a great city to roam around. It has a huge amount of interesting buildings, bridges, roads, streets,” he said.
What kept him in Dublin? “His 13 children,” one of his daughters said with a glint in her eye.
“You didn’t move around in those days. You came and you got a house and you stayed there and that was the end of it,” he said.
And what advice would he have for a young person now? “Stay in Dublin, if you can get a house,” he said. “But that’s the big problem. When I got a house, it was very easy to get one.”
“I drove until I was 94. But I decided to give it up, I didn’t want to kill anybody.”
Pauline Kearns, originally from Longford, said she loved the change when she moved from the countryside to the bustling capital many decades ago.
“Everything seems so convenient. Everybody is so close, you know, compared to the country where the nearest one might be a couple of hundred yards away.”
The 101-year-old former teacher still remembers the beginning of World War 2, having been a young adult at the time.
“When we were coming home from mass on a Sunday morning in early September 1939, we heard that Hitler had invaded Poland and war had broken out,” she said.
“It was threatening for a long time, and Hitler went in and he took over Austria. The Maginot Line was the French defence, and it was supposed to be sort of impenetrable and same with the Seigfried Line.
“Sure [Germany] walked in and walked across. And Hitler took over everything.”
Pictured with Lord Mayor of Dublin Cllr Ray McAdam is Pauline Kearns (101), Leopardstown
Mr McAdam said it was a great privilege to host the centenarians. “I was up early this morning,” he said with a smile.
“It’s also just to acknowledge them, to acknowledge their contribution to our city and that’s what today is all about.”
In a speech to the room, he said: “This is your afternoon, because this has been your century, and it is your city.
“Most of you were born in 1925 … You grew up in a young state finding its feet, and you saw a city grow in confidence and scale. You knew tough times, the rations in The Emergency, the heartbreak of emigration, the days when there was more month than money.
“And you knew joyful moments too, the show bands, the dance halls. I think there’s a few people here that were dancing here in the Mansion House back in the 50s and 60s.
“Summers in Dollymount, the roar of Croke Park carried in the wind, and the first televisions glowing in front windows as neighbours gathered to watch.”
The tradition of inviting centenarians to the Mansion House is one that dates back to the 1990s, and after a several-year hiatus, it was re-introduced by Mr McAdam’s predecessor, Emma Blaine in June this year.
It’s back just five months later due to high demand, said Mr McAdam. “With all the requests that we received I decided to host another event here today, and I’m delighted so many people have joined.”
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme