Agnes Thompson of east Belfast celebrated her 107th birthday last week, and she has revealed the secret to a long and happy life.
One of the oldest women in Ireland has revealed the secret to her long and prosperous life – long walks and raspberry ice cream!
The east Belfast woman celebrated her 107th birthday last week surrounded by friends and family for her special day.
Agnes Thompson – one of Ireland’s oldest women
Agnes Thompson is a resident of Strathearn Court Care Home on the Belmont Road in Belfast where she has lived for the past three years.
She was born on 2 September 1915 and grew up on Ravensdale Street in east Belfast. She married Rabbie Thompson in 1938, with whom she has two sons, Roy and Ralph.
Sadly, her late husband passed in 1989 at the age of 75, and both of their sons died in more recent years, living until their 80s. Throughout her life, Agnes worked at a local mill in jam, sweets, and hoover factories.
The life of one of Ireland’s oldest women – COVID wasn’t her first pandemic
Since being born in 1915, Agnes has seen the world go through many hardships, including two pandemics, two world wars, the Berlin Wall coming down, and the reign of three Kings and the present Queen.
It is a tradition that you receive a card from the Queen on your 100th birthday. This year, Agnes received her seventh card. Irish President Michael D Higgins also recognised her most recent milestone with a card and a medal.
Her granddaughter, Jean Hill, believes a positive attitude has helped her reach the grand age of 107. She told Belfast Live, “My grandparents had a great life together and went everywhere together. They had friends right across the divide and loved being out and about.
“Her and grandad would have thought nothing of walking to Comber from their home in Dundonald, in the days before the Greenway.”
She talked of how her grandmother loved ice cream and still takes an interest in everything, something she believes has served her well throughout her long life. She has even survived COVID twice!
The oldest women in Ireland – almost supercentenarians
Agnes is not far off the age of the oldest woman in Ireland. Máirín Hughes, who was born in Belfast but grew up in Killarney, is believed to hold the title.
Born 14 May 1914, just two months before the start of the First World War, she celebrated her landmark 108th birthday at a Dublin nursing home this year.
Like Agnes, Máirín Hughes also lived through two pandemics, vividly remembering when the Spanish Flu came to Ireland in 1918. What a life these ladies have lived. When asked how she felt turning 107, she said, “I’m just the same as I was yesterday.” Happy Birthday, Agnes! Happy Birthday, Agnes!
