Queen Kitty rules the roost in Unit Five as she turns 101!

On Friday, she celebrated the milestone with a Mass read by Fr John Hughes, PP of the Augustinian Priory in Unit Five of the hospital, where she has been a resident for a number of years.

Everyone agreed it was a beautiful Mass. Fr Hughes had big shoes to follow as her friend, Fr Dick Lyng, who has moved to Dublin, has celebrated her birthday Mass in previous years.

Afterwards, sandwiches and finger foods were rolled out before not one but two birthday cakes were presented to Kitty.

One of the cakes was brought by her neighbours in Bowling Green in the city centre, while staff at the Unit organised the second one. They were both enjoyed by the guests and residents.

Kitty lived all of her life up until she entered the Unit in Bowling Green and she can still name every one of the occupants in the houses from her childhood up until a few years ago before she left the street.

She worked in Galway County Council and never married. Her deceased sister, Eileen never married either and their late brother, Paddy, was married but had no family. So Kitty appears to be the end of the line in her family tree.

But her strong circle of friends and neighbours couldn’t be a better ‘family’ to her as she has a constant flow of visitors who ensure she has all she needs.

On Friday afternoon she enjoyed meeting these neighbours and took particular delight in being photographed with the youngest resident of Bowling Green, 11 month old Anna Grant, whose parents are Kevin and Eimear.

Last year she was thrilled to get a cheque and a letter from President Michael D Higgins and he didn’t forget her either this year and she was equally thrilled with a Silver Medal and another letter which was read out by Mayor of Galway, Cllr Donal Lyons, who attended the festivities. Last year the then Mayor, Cllr Pádraig Conneely did the honours.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.