Party time for Clara centenarian
CLARA' S oldest citizen Annie Graham had her Presidential cheque to celebrate her 100th birthday hand delivered by An Taoiseach.
Grace O'Dea reports
Hundreds turned out to celebrate with Mrs Graham, originally from The Green, at a special mass and party in Clara last Saturday.
Now a resident of St Vincent's Hospital, Athlone, Mrs Graham had two parties to mark her centenary. A special mass, attended by family and friends, was held in St Vincent's Hospital on Thursday, Mrs Graham's actual birthday, followed by a party there.
Then, on Saturday another mass was held in Clara Church, followed by a party in Baggotts.
"It was fantastic. She had a ball," said her son John. "She was looking forward to it and was able to tell me who all was coming."
One very special guest paid tribute to Annie. "Brian Cowen presented her with her cheque from the President. Our house and his house were back to back. He told her to be 100 was a great age," said John.
He said the Taoiseach also gave her a CD in connection with the 'One Book, One Clara' campaign which is being carried out in the town.
Party goers were treated to music from Joe Rabbitte, Catch Berry, Fintan Dunne, Gerry Rock and Ricey Scully. "They all got up and performed for her," said John, with Joe Rabbitte and Catch Berry also performing at her celebrations at St Vincent's Hospital last Thursday.
The mother of six to Paddy, Marie, John, Kathleen, Philomena and Nuala, Annie is the wife of the late Jack Graham. Up until three years ago she still lived at the family home, which was decorated with balloons and banners to mark the occasion.
John said his mother was always a hard worker. "She worked in Goodbody's and Salts in her younger days."
He said his mother, who is a great-great-grandmother has always loved children. "Every year the factory workers here would go on their excursion to Galway. The train would arrive in Clara at 7am and they would bring their children. My mother would mind the children in Galway so the workers had the day to themselves to go into Eyre Square or do whatever they wanted. She would mind them. That was her delight," said John.
He thanked everyone at Baggotts for the food and the great day they provided.
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Thursday 17 May 2012
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