Heather proves you’re never too old to learn to drive

An 80-year-old Co Offaly great-grandmother of 17 has proven it’s never too late to sit your driving test.

After three unsuccessful attempts, Heather McGrath from Walsh Island passed her test despite terrible weather conditions last Friday.

Mrs McGrath, who will turn 81 next month, took up driving when her husband Jim passed away 12 years ago. Prior to that, she said: “I never drove at all. I didn’t even know how to start a car.”

Mrs McGrath was encouraged to start driving by her nine children and 24 grandchildren.

Although she hadn’t driven before, she said: “I found it all right, I got used to it.”

While undaunted by driving, Mrs McGrath agonised about sitting her test again and decided not to tell her family it.

She said the build-up to the test was worse than the exam itself. “I did it three times before and I failed it very badly the second time because I was very nervous.”

Mrs McGrath went for a pre-test lesson with Daragh McGrath of MasterClass Driving School last Monday week. “I went for a lesson and it was pouring rain and windy. That really shook me up altogether and I got a puncture.”

Luckily, Mr McGrath, who is no relation, changed the wheel and the lesson went well. “She was very determined but very nervous,” he said.

Despite Mrs McGrath’s nerves, Mr McGrath described her as a “very competent” driver. “She knew her bits and pieces under the bonnet and her rules of the road,” he said.

While he has a number of older clients taking lessons, Mrs McGrath is the oldest he has taught. “I’m delighted for her, she’s a great woman.”

Recalling the day of her test, Mrs McGrath said: “I was absolutely terrified with the wind and rain.” After checking the oil and water, she told her tester: “The next part is going to be worse, getting the result. He said, ‘you passed’ and I said, ‘I don’t believe it’. I still don’t believe it.”

News spread quickly in Walsh Island, Mrs McGrath said. “I went down to the local pub and everybody was cheering.”