GOOD living and plenty of exercise are the ingredients for a long and happy life says Manchester Irishwoman Bridget Collins, who turned 100 this month.
The Donegal-native celebrated her momentous milestone with a family party at the Parrs Wood Hotel in Didsbury, where more than 150 friends and relatives came out to join her.
She is one of two Irish women who recently celebrated their 100th birthdays, as Birmingham-based Annie McGarry marked the occasion last week with a ‘Tea at the Ritz’ themed party with her family.
Bridget CollinsAfter 80 years living in Manchester, Bridget recalled the year she left her home in Malin Head, at the tip of the Inishowen peninsular - Ireland’s most northerly point.
“It was 1934 and I was 20,” she told The Irish Post. “I travelled to Manchester with my sister Sarah and best friend Kathleen O’Brien.”
Upon arrival in the city the centenarian first found work as a priest’s housekeeper, before taking up a job at the Dunlop runner factory when the war broke out.
She went on to marry her beloved husband Eddie, who passed away 57 years ago, and the pair had three children.
But the Collins clan has grown somewhat since then and Bridget now has seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and four great great-grandchildren.
After spending many years taking regular trips to Tenerife and Spain over the years, Bridget puts her longevity down to ‘good living, good food and plenty of exercise’.
Belmullet native Annie had another cause for celebration on her 100th birthday, as she also awaited the news of the arrival of her 40th great-grandchild on the same day.
“I don’t feel like I am turning 100 at all,” Annie told The Irish Post as she prepared for the big day. “I still feel like I am in my 80s.”
Annie with great grand-daughter Evie, aged 3, and daughter EvelynShe may have a huge family to keep her busy - eight children, 24 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren - but Annie took the time to reflect on her life to date and the late Tipperary husband who she still misses terribly.
“I have many good memories over my 100 years,” she said. “But one of the happiest days of my life was my wedding day in December 1935."
