Champagne celebrations toast Clonberne centenarian

A GLENAMADDY family celebrated a strong tradition this week when patriarch Willie Reilly celebrated his 100th birthday.

The father of seven resides at Central Park, Clonberne and follows in the footsteps of his father Paddy, who lived to the ripe old age of 101.
Surrounded by his family, which includes seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren, Willie celebrated his special day on Sunday, where he was presented with a letter from President Michael D Higgins. On Monday, it was the turn of his friends and carers at the nursing home to toast his milestone birthday. Presenting him with a framed copy of the front page of the Irish Independent from December 17, 1917, his carers shared afternoon tea with Willie who delighted in the fuss being made. His daughter Teresa explained that both longevity and celebrity runs in the family, after her grandfather Paddy also appeared in the Tuam Herald in 1969 on his 100th birthday.

Read the full story in this week's Tuam Herald