Ireland’s oldest person has passed away in her 109th year.
Nora Canavan, née Mullins, was born in Monreel, Ennistymon on March 9, 1908 but lived most of her live at St Catherine’s, Doolin. She became the oldest person in Ireland earlier this year following the death of 109-year-old Mayo woman Molly Madden.
Nora has been described as a family woman who liked crochet and gardening. She also enjoyed traditional music, had a strong faith, and said that hard work was the secret of a long life.
Her life was documented by Cuimhneamh an Chláir, the Clare oral history and folklore group.
Pre-deceased by her husband Stephen, who she married in 1920, the couple had seven children. She is survived by a wide circle of friends and family, including great-great grandchildren.
Her remains will repose at her residence in Doolin this Thursday evening, arriving in Doolin Church for funeral mass at 12 noon on Friday. Burial is to the Holy Rosary Cemetery, Doolin.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.