Clara's 'Mattie' celebrates milestone birthday

Carthage Nursing Home in Mucklagh was the scene of a milestone birthday on Monday as resident Matthew 'Mattie' Guinan turned 99.

The Clara native was joined by family members, friends and fellow residents in the nursing home to celebrate the special occasion.

Matthew 'Mattie' Guinan was born in Clara on October 12, 1927.

Reared on a farm in Clara, he had five sisters and one brother, from which he is the sole survivor.

Mattie was married to the late Teresa, whom he wed in August 1960.

His childhood routine saw him complete a daily walk of approximately eight kilometres to Rahan National School before returning in the afternoon to work on the family farm.

Mattie worked in Goodbody's Flour Mill in Clara for a number of years and in his free time, he wrote and published a book called 'Ireland in the Old Days.'

Mattie quipped that "starvation" was the key to a "long and healthy life".

"I only ever had the basics to eat my whole life. If I was better fed, I probably wouldn't be alive today!" the birthday celebrant said as he began his 100th year.