Eileen Collins from Luimnagh, Corrandulla became Galway’s newest centenarian over the weekend. Her landmark day, a well-kept secret was celebrated with family friends and neighbours last weekend at the Arches Hotel, Claregalway. Family travelled from near and far with the longest journey being made by her grandson Chris who travelled all the way from Brazil.
Fr Dixy Faber started the day with a beautiful and very personal Mass referencing Eileen’s great devotion to her family, who along with her friends and faith were the most important focus in her life. He mentioned the many challenges she faced in life and that it was her great faith which helped her deal with those challenges. Fr Dixy was assisted with the prayers and readings by her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. He said he had never concelebrated Mass in a pub before, but the full house brought a smile.
Eileen is mother to seven, has 12 grandchildren and 21 greatgrandchildren. She was born Eileen Burke in Manusflynn in the parish of Caherlistrane and lived there until she moved to Luimnagh when she married Michael Collins.
She continues to live at home with her son Patrick. Eileen remains an avid reader of books and newspapers. She has a great interest in history and current affairs and also likes to read Declan Varley’s editorial each week in this newspaper.
Caherlistrane & Kilcoona Community Council presented Eileen with a beautiful enscribed crystal vase to mark the major milestone. Chairman John McGrath said they were celebrating their 50th Anniversary as a community organisation and when they became aware that a parishioner was celebrating a 100th birthday. it was decided that this major milestone had to be marked.
John was joined by the community council area representatives Margaret Kyne and Imelda Tierney in making the special presentation.
Her great-granddaughter Leah Kyne recited a specially written poem. Granddaughter Joan Collins and Grandson Tony Kyne both spoke of their granny as the rock and the matriarch of the family an amazing woman.
Both spoke of their joy in spending time at Granny’s house and their memories of her hospitality; the lovely food, her homemade bread, and many other treats. Her love of knitting and sewing was recalled as was her passion for gardening. Her roses in particular, are much admired by those who pass her home.
Her generosity, her love, her understanding and her interest in all of their activities as well as her unwavering support when it was needed made her not just a wonderful granny but a truly amazing woman. Congrats to Eileen from everyone here at the Advertiser, where her daughter Margaret is a longstanding and valued colleague.
