Achill's Annie celebrates 100th birthday

ANNIE Lynchehaun from Achill has hosted a special 1916 centenary celebration of her own - her birthday.

Annie, from Tonragee, turned 100 on May 5, and guests at a party to celebrate in Nevin’s of Tiernaur included a hero of 2016, GAA footballer Liam Irwin, with the cup captured by the All-Ireland winning Mayo Under 21s days earlier.

One of seven children born to Michael ‘Ginger’ McGinty and Bridget, Annie worked in Scotland in her younger days and was there when the Kirkintolloch fire tragedy claimed the lives of 10 young people from Achill in 1937.

She later worked in Ross House, Kilmeena, Westport, before marrying Pat McGinty, with whom she had two children, Martin and Jean. Following his death she later remarried, to Thomas Lynchehaun, with whom she had daughter Margaret, with whom she now resides.

An outgoing personality, Annie has been a popular figure at bingo, whist and dancing in the locality over the years and belied her years to party on for her 100th birthday.

Feeling blessed to celebrate her big day with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, neighbours and friends, her party featured the Tonragee strawboys, performing through Irish, as well as the Tonragee Pipe Band.

Annie and her family have expressed thanks to all who helped make her birthday so special.