GOOD country air, a laid back disposition and the odd tipple of whiskey seems to be the winning recipe that sees Currow native Maurice Fleming still going strong at the age of 100.
As he celebrated his milestone birthday on Friday last with close family, friends and staff at Our Lady of Lourdes in Kilcummin, there was no denying the admiration felt for him by all who were there.
Among them was his niece Maureen Somers from New Street, Killarney, who said her uncle was never one to make a fuss.
"If he had his way there would have been no party and no fuss, but everyone wanted to mark the occasion and the staff at the nursing home did a marvellous job with a cake and balloons," she said.
The only remaining sibling of six children, Maurice has thankfully enjoyed a tremendously healthy life, and only entered Our Lady of Lourdes a few months ago, having lived in Killarney since 1980.
"He was in hospital a few years ago and was asked by a doctor when he was last in hospital, and he told the doctor it had been 80 years and that was to get his appendix out," Maureen recalled. "He had great health and we put that down to the country air, his pleasant, laid back disposition and the odd glass of whiskey or brandy, which he still has today."
His sprightliness is something that clearly ran in the family, with his sister Margaret Somers — Maureen's mother — living to almost 105.
Paying tribute to all who organised the party, Maureen said that birthday wishes were also extended from Maurice's other niece Margaret Mythen, her husband Tom and son Walter, who were unable to make the trip from Dublin on Friday.
Good country air the key to Maurice's 100 years
GOOD country air, a laid back disposition and the odd tipple of whiskey seems to be the winning recipe that sees Currow native Maurice Fleming still going strong at the age of 100.
As he celebrated his milestone birthday on Friday last with close family, friends and staff at Our Lady of Lourdes in Kilcummin, there was no denying the admiration felt for him by all who were there.
Among them was his niece Maureen Somers from New Street, Killarney, who said her uncle was never one to make a fuss.
"If he had his way there would have been no party and no fuss, but everyone wanted to mark the occasion and the staff at the nursing home did a marvellous job with a cake and balloons," she said.
The only remaining sibling of six children, Maurice has thankfully enjoyed a tremendously healthy life, and only entered Our Lady of Lourdes a few months ago, having lived in Killarney since 1980.
"He was in hospital a few years ago and was asked by a doctor when he was last in hospital, and he told the doctor it had been 80 years and that was to get his appendix out," Maureen recalled. "He had great health and we put that down to the country air, his pleasant, laid back disposition and the odd glass of whiskey or brandy, which he still has today."
His sprightliness is something that clearly ran in the family, with his sister Margaret Somers — Maureen's mother — living to almost 105.
Paying tribute to all who organised the party, Maureen said that birthday wishes were also extended from Maurice's other niece Margaret Mythen, her husband Tom and son Walter, who were unable to make the trip from Dublin on Friday.
