Ireland’s oldest person Sarah Clancy died this week aged 108, bringing to an end a remarkable life that spanned many of the notable dates in history.
Ms Clancy was born on May 2, 1908 in Sruthán, An Cheathrú Rua in Connemara, went on to work in the United States but passed away in her native Connemara, just six months shy of her 109th birthday.
To place her age into context, at the time of her birth in Sruthan, 15km away in Ros Muc, Patrick Pearse was scouting for a site for his cottage, which would be built in 1909. The Titanic was no more than a gleam in the eye of its owner Bruce Ismay, who sought refuge in Casla Lodge and became Ms Clancy’s neighbour after the vessel sank in 1912.
She lived through the Easter Rising, two World Wars, and the foundation of the Irish state, and loved most of her life near Boston.
The pensioner, from Carraroe, Connemara, Co Galway died peacefully in her sleep at home, according to relatives.
Ms Clancy, a native Irish speaker, emigrated to the US in 1938 where she set up home in Dorchester, Boston with her sister Anne.
She worked as a housemaid and cook in the houses of the wealthy in the area.
Sarah never married and returned to Sruthán in 1988. She kept house and babysat a new generation of grandchildren.
She refused to use wheelchairs up to the age of 107. She had eight brothers and sister who all predeceased her.
Local Councillor Seán Ó Tuairisg (FF ) said “She lived to a fine ripe old age. She was an exceptional woman.”
