Kitty Fingleton

Eating no veg is the secret to a long life says 100 year old Kitty

They say that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but Offaly centenarian Kitty Fingleton’s longevity isn’t down to a love of fruit and veg.

A native of Mount Temple and living in Portarlington Kitty is one of the stars of a new documentary, Older Than Ireland, by award winning filmmaker Alex Fegan, who directed The Irish Pub.

Older Than Ireland, features 30 Irish men and women aged 100 years and over, who share with us their life’s memories, in this charming, funny and poignant film. The film explores each person’s journey, from their birth at the dawn of Irish independence to their life as a centenarian in modern day Ireland.

Kitty’s contribution is one of the most memorable. Born in 1914 in Mount Temple, Kitty was raised on a small farm. After leaving school she began working in a drapery shop in the main street in Portarlington. It was whilst working in the shop that Kitty met her future husband Denis.

The couple got married and set up home in Portarlington where Denis worked as a community welfare officer. The couple never had any children but they were happy with Denis doing his work in the community and Kitty maintaining the home.

Denis and Kitty had a very happy marriage until his death some years ago from cancer. Kitty lives an independent life in the marital home she shared with Denis, her love of flowers and baking keeps her busy these days.

Asked whether she believes in heaven Kitty says, “Of course I do, isn’t it the only thing we have. We can’t bring anything with us. We can bring the Mass, we can bring our prayers but we can bring nothing else we go with empty hand, you don’t go with full pockets.”

Interestingly and at odds with modern medical wisdom, she attributes her long life down to her aversion to eating vegetables.

“I never ate a vegetable in my life and I think that’s the reason, they’re all eating too much…”

Older Than Ireland will be screened at The Offline Festival in Birr on Wednesday October 7.