Camlough centenarian celebrates 100 years of adventure

Annie Maureen O'Hare is the newest member of an exclusive but growing club: Centenarians.

With the number of over 65s increasing by nearly 25% in just 10 years, the 2021 Census highlighted that we are an ageing society.

Consequently, the number of centenarians also increased - from 228 in 2011 to 256 in 2021.

For Maureen, reaching that milestone was a chance to celebrate and reflect on a century of love and adventure.

"I was born in Brisbane, Australia and I was only six-months-old when my mum and dad came back to Ireland," she said, taking time out from her party in Bessbrook Community Centre in County Armagh to talk.

"My father was the first taximan from Newry to Camlough but when I was two and a half we moved to Canada and we were seven years on a farm in Canada.

"My first memory is in Canada in 1926 when I was two and a half and we got stuck in the mud in a car in a creek. I loved Canada."

The family returned to Camlough Lake after the Wall Street Crash "because there was no money".

Maureen's family returned to County Armagh where she went on to work at the local mill

They lived there in her grandmother's house and farm, with jobs at the local shop (for five shillings a week) and the mill in Bessbrook to follow for a young Maureen.

And there was plenty of fun.

"I danced in Blackpool ballroom, way up the tower. Me and my husband [Michael] went in to watch a competition there and after it they announced that anyone who wanted to could dance because the orchestra was still playing music.

"So my husband and I got up."

As well as living on three continents, she has seen huge societal changes.

"I remember the first of all the gadgets," she said.

"The first passenger plane, the first washing machine, the first television, the telephone, the radio. All the firsts that I remember."

But from the perspective of someone who has lived through war and peace, boom and bust is society better or worse today?

"At times I think it could be better. But there's far too many wars," she said.

"Maybe it might brighten up with the help of God; at least we have Stormont starting up again so that's something."

King Charles III, Irish President Michael D Higgins and Pope Francis all marked Maureen's milestone birthday

Paschal McKeown of Age NI said an aging society is something ministers in Stormont will have to keep in mind, with a focus needed on everything from housing and the cost of living, to access to services in a digital age and the maintenance of free public transport.

"It's really important that the ministers, the departments and the assembly really consider the fact that we are living in an aging society," she said.

"We need to have an active aging strategy that is put in place very quickly. We also need to challenge some of the ageist assumptions that are made... and to make sure that the rights of older people are protected.

"We're the only part of these islands that doesn't have legislation in place to prevent discrimination against older people when accessing goods, facilities and services."

• Number of over 85s in NI rose by 28% in a decade

• The woman celebrating a centenary along with NI

Back in Bessbrook, Maureen's party was in full swing when Valerie Harte, chairperson of the local council, arrived with a bouquet of flowers.

Her card sits beside those sent by King Charles III, Irish President Michael D Higgins and Pope Francis.