Life of woman beloved in Offaly town who lived to 107 captured in new book

A book about a woman who lived to 107 and inspired thousands with her good humour during the Covid-19 pandemic could be in line to pick up an award later this week.

On Friday November 3, the CAP award for the best Irish self-published non-fiction book of the year will be announced in the Aishling Hotel in Dublin. Among the final six is author and motivational speaker Louise Coghlan with her much-loved story of her grandmother’s life - Nancy Stewart.

Nancy Stewart, from Clonard, Co Meath, but beloved in the nearby Offaly town of Edenderry and beyond, rose to social media and world fame during the Covid pandemic when herself and Louise took to their Facebook Page - ‘Living and Laughing with Lou’ to encourage people "not to panic" as the world went into lockdown.

Nancy, better known as Granny Nancy to all, was indeed Ireland’s oldest lady at the time and passed away just one month short of her 108th birthday in September 2021 just as the lockdowns were about ending.

Granddaughter and writer Louise Coghlan was living with her at the time and spotted an opportunity to capture all the secrets of Granny Nancy living such a long, happy and healthy life.

The award-nominated book, titled ‘Granny Nancy - The Lady Who Lived, Loved and Laughed for 107 Years’ has brought Lou all across the world since its release last October.

Louise completed a ten-week Irish tour followed by four weeks in the US along with being invited to ‘London Book Fair’ as a content creator. Just back from Canada and now heading back out on tour in Ireland, she travels to locations and groups to give an uplifting and very moving talk on love, loss, friendship along with hope, laughter, and a reminder that together we can get through anything that life throws us.

Louise said: “I wrote this book three months after Gran passed. It was the hardest book I will ever write as my heart was so devastated and heartbroken at the time. I had recorded Gran through video and audio and for months I sat in her bedroom watching all the recordings over and over, taking the bits I felt people really needed to hear.

"I was watching, loving and grieving my best friend all at once while sitting alone in her home; empty chairs being the hardest element to look at. Thankfully somewhere within myself, I found the strength to write the story of her life, and mine in many ways, and within nine months of starting it, I had it completed. I’m really proud of Gran and even if we don’t win the award, I know in my heart she will be in Heaven smiling from ear to ear as I will be doing on earth.

“I think this book is very important for all generations as it holds the secrets to not only living a good life but also surviving life at its toughest points too. It also is an archive of our Irish history captured through Gran’s eyes from 1913 until her passing in 2021.

"Life is not always easy, this world is always not easy, loss and grief is not easy at all and the one thing all readers have shared with me about the book, is how hopeful they feel after reading it. Also to know children are reading it and people are bringing it on holidays and day trips with them as an essential, even though they have it finished, this really means the world to me. Granny Nancy was a woman who gave to all and in a very special way this book is doing exactly that.

"The most special part for me, is that the life of a very good Irish woman is captured, and her legacy will live on forever and she will always create smiles on people’s faces. The gift of a book is to capture the magic of a time, a moment or a person and I think I’ve achieved this and what a special human I was so fortunate to write about, live with and most importantly love.”

Louise also wants to thank the brilliant organisation and committee who run the CAP book awards in Ireland for their continued efforts to support Irish authors but most importantly their tireless work and dedication to raising awareness in support of all who struggle with their mental health.

The Carousel Aware Prize for Independently Published Authors (The CAP for Indies) aims to provide a platform to showcase the cream of Irish Self-Published authors, bringing them to the attention of book shops, distributors, and the media in Ireland and abroad, with all money raised going to the charity Aware. These awards are vital as a way to help spread the light of hope to many who are surrounded in darkness and through the gift of the word, highlight the many stories in which light wins.

For more information on how to purchase Louise’s book pop along to www.livingandlaughingwithlou.com or join the 22,000 people who interact and take part in her very fun and hopeful community on www.facebook.com/livingandlaughingwithlou

To learn more and support the work of the CAP Awards & their team, pop along to www.capawards.ie