100 year old Margaret celebrates with a song

Offaly's birthday girl of the week is undoubtedly 100-year-old Margaret Loughnane from Birr, who attracted guests from as far afield as Australia and America to her birthday bash. The former MD of the County Arms Hotel wrapped up her mammoth eight-hour party last Wednesday by singing "Paddy McGinty's Goat" to a standing ovation surrounded by friends and family. "It went very well," Margaret's son and current County Arms MD Willie told the Offaly Independent yesterday. Celebrations began with lunch at 1pm followed by a 3pm Mass, which Margaret herself began. Margaret's seven godchildren as well as her grandchildren participated in the Mass, before the group moved on to entertainment and dinner. One of the highlights of his mother's day, Willie explained, was a letter from President Michael D. Higgins. It was not her first introduction to the President however. Her late son Seamus attended school with the one-day President in Ennis and they struck up a firm friendship. The election last October that saw Mr Higgins become Ireland's President was also the latest vote for Margaret after voting in elections in nine different decades. On her birthday Margaret, who was in great form, spoke to her family about her memories including ration books, rural electrification and seeing the Black and Tans. Her earliest memory, she told her gathered family, was the burning of the barracks in Crinkle in 1922 when she was just ten years old. The centenarian was mentioned on no fewer than four radio stations by lunchtime on her birthday, and a spot on local radio Midlands 103 followed later the same evening. Forty-eight years ago, after the death of her husband Michael, a young widowed Margaret was thrown into the world of business. Primarily a housewife with ten children, she became MD of the County Arms Hotel and the Chair of the Board of both Midland Concrete (later Loughnane Concrete) and Loughnane Construction. This week's celebrations were not without sadness however. Willie Loughnane said his mother was very aware of seats at her party that would otherwise have been filled by three of her children who have passed away. Her seven remaining children - Mary, Josephine, Kate (Kathleen), Willie, Paddy, Sean and Brendan - were all on hand along with extended family and friends to make sure the day was a joyous occasion however. Margaret has spent just two days in hospital in her life, Willie said, adding that the family team that live close to her will continue to ensure this is remains the case for as long as possible. "We were delighted," he said, looking back on his mother's birthday. "It's a real blessing that's been bestowed on her."