Moate's Teresa Greally celebrates 104th birthday

By Rebekah O'Reilly

Moate resident Teresa Greally recently reached her 104th birthday on September 1.

Teresa celebrated her birthday in Mowlam Nursing Home in Moate with her family, a cake, and a letter from the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins.

Teresa has now received a letter and a unique commemorative medal for the past four years - one for each birthday celebrated passed 100.

Her family shared that typically, Cllr Tom Farrell would come into the nursing home to read the letter to Teresa.

“That makes it extra official,” said Mary. “She is very shocked, and very taken aback.”

They explained that the Athlone Moate Municipal District of Athlone usually send Teresa a letter as well to mark her birthday.

Teresa, originally from Lackey, Co Galway, spent her youth working for the O'Neill family in Taylor's Hill in Galway, before marrying her husband William in the 50s.

The couple welcomed their only child Tom in 1961, before moving to Toor Beg in Moate two years later where they owned a farm.

Speaking about William and Teresa's relationship, her daughter-in-law Mary Greally said: “They were close – they went everywhere together. They used to go into Moate on a Friday – they'd go to Flynn's Market to do their shopping, and they'd have a couple of drinks, and they'd head home again.”

When Teresa's husband William passed away 27 years ago, her family didn't think she would stay with them for much longer.

“We didn't think she'd keep going after Willy passed. She's a strong woman – and she proved us wrong,” said Mary.

Speaking to the Westmeath Independent about the secret to Teresa's long life, Mary said it was healthy living.

“She never smoked. She took the odd drink. They had a small farm up in Moate so she was always a hard worker. I suppose it was healthy living.

“She had an older brother and sister – she was the youngest. Her brother Paddy died young of a heart attack, and her sister Margaret died young of cancer.”

Mary and Tom suggested it could be Teresa's love of life, and her hobbies that has kept her going.

“She loves singing. She loves the Irish music – her favourite is The Galway Shawl. She sang some of that on her birthday.

“She's a great woman for baking – everybody loves her triskele bread, and her brown bread.”

The 104-year-old has three grandchildren, Thomas, Michelle, and Shane, and three great-grandchildren Owen, Adam and Sophie.

Amazingly there are 100 years between Teresa and her great-grandson Owen, who turns four this November.