In Pictures: Limerick parish celebrates as local resident turns 100

THERE were celebrations in the Kings Island area of Limerick city this Tuesday as one of the parish's most-popular residents reached a milestone birthday.

Betty Lyons, who is celebrating her 100th birthday, was welcomed by a round of applause as she stepped out of a vintage car following her arrival at St Mary's Church.

As she cut a slice of her birthday cake on the altar, Betty was surrounded by family and friends - with some of them having travelled from England for the special occasion.

In Pictures: Local woman Betty, 99, lights up Limerick parish for Christmas

With 11 children, 41 grandchildren and 55 great-grandchildren, Betty is nicely surrounded.

Born in 'The Island', Betty was baptised in St Mary’s Church where she also got married and attends Mass every morning – even when she stays up until 3am.

That’s according to her daughter, Margaret, who celebrated with her on New Year’s Eve. “Her granddaughter got married on New Year’s Eve, all the family was together to see the new year.”

One might wonder, what is Betty’s secret to a long life?

“When somebody asks her what’s her secret to a long life is, she said hard work,” laughed Margaret. “But she always had a good appetite. She eats plenty of eggs, and loved her vegetables. She never smoked, now, and again she’d have a drink, but she’s not a drinker,” she added.

To end the celebration, organised by Fr Richie Davern, music played by St Mary’s Band echoed through the church.

“It’s an honour for her, really. Her family has a long history with St Mary’s Band. Her father, her uncles, her nephews, and her granddaughter used to play with them and now her great-grandson plays with them,” noted Betty’s daughter, Margaret.

For the special occasion, many of her relatives travelled all the way down from England – including her son, Matthew, who couldn’t help but ‘feel a bit emotional’ as his mother turned 100 years old.

Speaking of the crowd of attendees, Matthew laughed: “I haven’t counted them, but there’s a lot of people here today.”

Betty is the latest of a group of friends who have joined the centenarian club. Other include Mercy Sisters Lelia Walsh, Marie Théresè Courtney, and Patricia O Neill.