Hard work and small portions - 105 year old Galway woman's advice for a long life!
A Galway woman born in the months before the end of the War of Independence has just celebrated her remarkable 105th birthday.
And Mary Hoary has a simple but insightful secret to long life.
“Hard work and small portions,” she said.
Mary was born on April 19 1921 in Derrahiney, just outside Portumna, the third of four children born to James and Sarah Meara. She has lived there her entire life.
In 1942 she married Jack Hoary from the neighbouring parish of Tiernascragh.
They brought up six boys and three girls in their four-bedroom house and 21 on acres of land where Mary was born.
Jack passed away in 1998, but Mary still lives in Derrahiney, where she is being cared for by her family.
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Although she doesn't go out anymore, her days are quite busy.
She is out of bed every morning before 8am. After breakfast and her prayers, Mary watches some quiz shows. A couple of hours are spent doing jigsaw puzzles in the afternoon.
Evenings are for news and soaps. And weekends are spent watching sport. Mary is a keen follower of both the Galway hurling team and Connacht Rugby.
She celebrated her 105th birthday with lots of visits from friends and family.