Craic is 90 for Ireland’s oldest working woman

Most women her age are thankful they can even get out of bed.

But Mary Lafferty still puts in a full week’s work at Killybegs Community Hospital in Co Donegal at the age of 90.

Despite her generous age, Mary still walks to and from work, preferring to leave her car in the driveway of her home on Conlin Rd in the fishing port.

Once she walks the 15 minutes to the hospital, she has no time to waste with her voluntary role.

As well as helping out with computer classes, Mary also fills her days from 9.30am until 4.30pm giving exercise classes to patients.

Mary’s workmates at the hospital surprised her with a cake and a tea party last Friday as a thank you for more than a decade of help at the centre.

Mary’s actual age had been kept a “national secret” until she had to reveal it last year when she won TV3’s Oldest Working Woman In Ireland Award on the Ireland AM show.

Her friend Kathy Mullen says everyone is inspired by Mary’s zest for life.

“She is an amazing person and an example to all of us. She gets so much out of life because she gives so much to everyone.

“We are so proud of her and we hope she’ll be still as active for many years to come,” said Kathy.

Mary, who worked for many years in the local credit union, had another party yesterday with her family, including her children Nigel, Desmond, and Mary, and grandchildren.

Local TD Thomas Pringle says he is looking forward to getting many more phone calls from Mary, asking why people must give up work at retirement age.

“She is a great woman and calls me regularly,” said Mr Pringle. “I wish her all the best and I’m looking forward to many more phone calls about one thing or the other for many years to come.”

When contacted yesterday Mary would neither confirm nor deny her age, but put her good health down to “keeping on the go all the time”.