Our great-granny is 105!

Our oldest citizen cites a life of hard work as secret to longevity   By JACQUELINE HOGGE SURROUNDED by her large and loving family, Tuam's oldest citizen Margaret Crisham celebrated her 105th birthday at her home in Cloonfush over the weekend. Some of her 45 great-grandchildren gathered around their Nannie on Saturday evening as a special party marked the occasion, where her collection of Presidential medals received since she reached the century mark five years ago, took pride of place. Hailing the secret to long life as hard work, Mrs Crisham said she was very happy to have her family around her on her special day. 'Hard work, plenty to eat and the odd drop to drink are the reason I'm still here,' she said. Margaret's children Teresa, Jane, Brian, Peter and Jarlath all help to care for their mother and there's also a steady influx of some of her 25 grandchildren calling at the house on a daily basis. Her eldest daughter Margaret passed away in 2008, while her late husband Jack was 96 when he died 13 years ago. â€ËœHealthiest of all' 'She's the healthiest of us all, as despite having a pacemaker fitted when she was 92 she's not on any medication and is up and active every day,' said her daughter Teresa. 'She walks out to the front gate most days and reads the daily papers, as well as being a big fan of all the soaps, so she's still living life to the full.' Born in Kilmore in 1906, Margaret Gilligan was one of eight children, and spent six years in America before returning to Cloonfush in 1932, where she married Jack Crisham. 'She was over in Connecticut working as a cook for the State Attorney for a few years, during which she witnessed the fallout from the Wall Street Crash,' said her son Brian. 'But she eventually came back and married my father, who she had known before she left, and after that it was a case of settling down and raising her family.' Margaret is the 17th oldest person living in Ireland and is only two years younger than the oldest person, Kate Byrne of Maganey, Co Laois. The Office of the President presents a centenarian bounty, a congratulatory letter and € 2,540 to Irish citizens on their 100th birthday. The person also receives a commemorative coin in a presentation box and a congratulatory letter each birthday thereafter.