Management and staff at Cluain Dara, Fermoy, pulled out all the stops on Tuesday, February 25, at a party in honour of 100-year-old John Murphy from Bushy Park, Watergrasshill.

A weekly visitor to the sheltered housing project, close to Colaiste an Chraoibhin, Fermoy, John likes nothing better than playing bingo in the company of friends. By all accounts, a man who worked extremely hard improving his farm in Watergrasshill, John is entitled to a little respite and on Tuesday he observed that 'he never taught he was this popular'.

Following a celebratory Mass, where Fr Eamon Barry presided, John, who is a native of Ballinagree near Macroom, was presented with a framed citation of congratulations from President Michael D Higgins by Marie Byrne, chairperson of Fermoy Geriatrics Association - accompanying the citation was a cheque for €2,540.

Special guests at the party were John's good friends from Watergrasshill, Sisters Lily Hurley and Philomena Deasy (Sisters of Mercy Order). Both said there were delighted to be associated with such a happy occasion. Musical accompaniment for the Mass and party was provided by William Kearney of Bride Valley Band fame.

John was married to the love of his life, Margaret Kelleher for 68 years, they had 5 children - Mary, Eileen, Sheila, Chris and Pat who now farms the land that John acquired through the then Land Commission, 48 years ago.

John was accompanied to the party by his daughter, Chris who said her father was in very good form and really enjoyed himself. Good wishes, birthday cards, a complimentary drink and a most impressive cake, complete with his portrait also came John's way - all richly deserved for a hardworking farmer who counts himself extremely fortunate to have had such a long and happy life.

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