'Me and Hennessy were great pals' - Dublin's centenarians give sage advice at the Mansion House

"These Dubliners lived through World War Two, saw the capital's tram network disappear and then return in the 21st century, and made it through as the country was rocked multiple times by economic turmoil. But the mood was jovial as 11 Dublin centenarians celebrated with family and friends at the Mansion House on Dawson Street in the heart of the city. And the guests, served afternoon tea while a pianist played in the background, couldn't have been more elated, receiving a framed scroll from Lord Mayor Ray McAdam and signing Dublin's Centenarians Ledger."

"100-year-old Mary McGrath was in flying form, and with her daughter beside her, she regaled attendees with stories from a long life spent in the capital. "I've seen a lot of changes in Dublin," she said, and though she hails from Henrietta Street, she's a big fan of the spanking new Docklands area. "All the buildings down the quay are marvellous. There was nothing like that when we were young," she said. When asked what has kept her going for so many years, she said she loves a tipple. "I'm a brandy drinker. Me and Hennessy were great pals." "It kept me alive, and I'm still doing a little dance," she smiled."

"Cormac O'Broin was the lone man of the 11 centenarians in attendance, but was surrounded by what he called a "sampling" of his daughters. Mr O'Broin, who says he's "100 and three-quarters", was another of the group that had spent his whole life in the capital. "It's a great city to roam around. It has a huge amount of interesting buildings, bridges, roads, streets," he said. What kept him in Dublin? "His 13 children," one of his daughters said with a glint in her eye. "You didn't move around in those days. You came and you got a house and you stayed there and that was the end of it," he said. And what advice would he have for a young person now? "Stay in Dublin, if you can get a house," he said."

Eleven Dublin centenarians gathered at the Mansion House on Dawson Street for an afternoon tea and celebration. Many had lived through World War Two, the loss and 21st-century return of the tram network, and repeated economic turmoil. Guests received framed scrolls from Lord Mayor Ray McAdam and signed Dublin's Centenarians Ledger while a pianist played. Mary McGrath praised the new Docklands and credited brandy for helping her longevity. Cormac O'Broin, the only man present, described Dublin's streets and bridges, recounted raising 13 children, and advised young people to stay in Dublin if they can secure a house.

Read at Irish Independent