Bessie Nolan proves that life need not be such a drag

A new documentary about people aged 100 and over challenges our beliefs about the aged, says Margaret Jennings.

MEET Bessie Nolan – the 103 year-old Dubliner , who enjoys a couple of Superkings cigarettes a day and walks everywhere, including from her home into town every Saturday to meet friends.

The great-grandmother loves her style — putting on her lipstick and getting her hair done — but also well remembers being a tomboy as a child, robbing orchards. That would have back in the earlier years of the 20th century of course – a lifetime ago.