Getting to 80 is a good innings, few enough reach 90 and the 100 club is very small indeed. Kilworth native, Hannah Scannell (nee Heskin) joined that elite band last week when on Thursday, 20th November, she celebrated her 100th birthday.

While out for a family meal in Cork on Thursday night, she had a surprise visit from Taoiseach Enda Kenny, who congratulated her heartily on having reached this special milestone.

The social part of this centenary celebration was pencilled in for Fermoy Pitch & Putt Club last Saturday night and, being the occasion that it was, a capacity crowd packed into the venue to join with Hannah for this most special of birthdays.

Hannah arrived minus a Zimmer frame, no wheelchair, no walking stick and wearing neither glasses nor hearing aid. To those who hadn't encountered Mrs Scannell previously, it required a second, third of fourth glance to reconcile the fact that this 'very fresh looking pensioner' was born on 20th November, 1914 - she was, and Hannah has the birth cert and President's cheque to prove it.

Born in Coolalisheen, Kilworth, Hannah worked most of her life in the hotel business, spending time in Fermoy, Enniscorthy and Cobh. She married Humphrey Scannell and they had two children, Noel and Geraldine (O'Keeney) - she has one surviving sister, 88-year-old Ann Coughlan from Mitchelstown.

Speaking about his mother, Noel Scannell said she encountered plenty of setbacks during the course of her long life, most notably the premature deaths of several family members. A woman of strong Christian faith Noel said, his mother, had a very positive outlook on life and he had no doubt that this contributed greatly to her longevity.

"I would safely safe, she doesn't know the meaning of depression," he said. Describing her as 'a wonderful woman', Noel said she was always independently minded and occasionally strong willed.

Noel thanked everyone for attending and acknowledged all the goodwill and good wishes that had accompanied her 100th birthday.

Her grandson, John O'Keeney said Hannah liked doing things for herself and was never afraid to take on physical tasks, even in recent years, 'she was an inspiration to all those who knew her and is much loved'.

Hannah cut two very elaborately decorated cakes and by her own admission, couldn't wait for the dancing to start.

Showing some nice footwork, she waltzed around the floor with a number of dancing companions - music was provided by a relation of the family, Pat Heskin.

Up well past her bed time, Hannah stayed put until beyond midnight and made a point of greeting the vast majority of the several hundred strong crowd - all of whom who could only be impressed and amazed at the vitality and energy of this most lively and light hearted 100 year old.

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