'An inspiration.' Longford's oldest lady celebrates 106th birthday

There were great celebrations this week as Sr Felicitas Geraghty celebrated her 106th birthday, the occasion marked by the arrival of a famous commemorative coin from the Irish President.

In April of this year, Sr Felicitas was also honoured by the Irish Government as a Centenarian Ambassador for the historic unveiling of the first census of the Irish Free State.

This unique honour recognises those who were recorded in the census of April 18, 1926, and who lived to see those same records being made public exactly 100 years later, on April 18, 2026.

Now officially Longford’s oldest lady, celebrations were held for Sr Felicitas this week in both The Mercy Convent in Longford town and Our Lady’s Manor in Edgeworthstown.

Her life story is certainly one of remarkable kindness, commitment and extraordinary contribution to others.

Born on November 4, 1920 in Annaghbeg, Galway and christened Kathleen, she was the youngest child of Brigid and Edward Geraghty.

After spending a year at Portumna’s Domestic Science College, Kathleen was among the top-performing graduates eligible for a scholarship to the Munster Institute in Cork. However, she turned down the opportunity opting instead to dedicate her life to the Sisters of Mercy in Longford.

Entering the convent in Longford town in 1939, it was a challenging time for the young woman as she had just lost her beloved mother to cancer only ten weeks earlier.

WWII had also just begun, bringing with it enormous scarcity and rationing.

According to the custom of the time, Kathleen received the name of Sr Felicitas at her reception.

Following her final profession, she trained as a nurse in the Mater Hospital, Belfast, where she was awarded prizes each year for the excellence of her studies and nursing practice.

Not surprisingly, Sr Felicitas was much loved and respected by patients and their families as well as staff and trainee colleagues in the hospital.

She went on to complete her midwifery training in Cork, afterwards being assigned to Our Lady’s Manor in Edgeworthstown where she worked in the maternity unit her appointment to the old County Home, Longford.

The home contained what the Mercy Convent recalled as “very primitive conditions” adding that such circumstances did not daunt Sr Felicitas’ hard work, energy and cheerfulness.

When the home was replaced with a more modern building that is today known as St Joseph’s Care Centre, Sr Felicitas continued in her commitment to nursing with the motto, “a nurse’s duty is to bring happiness and healing to her patients no matter who they are.”

Hardworking and dedicated, she would go on to take up the role of staff supervisor and later, clinical nurse manager, where she was held in high esteem by her peers, patients and staff.

Upon her retirement from St Joseph’s, Sr Felicitas was assigned to St Brigid’s College of Home Economics, Ardagh, where she would spend the following twenty two years working with the students, a time she says she thoroughly enjoyed.

Following the closure of St Brigid’s College in 2007, Sr Felicitas returned to Longford Convent where she continued her religious devotion while providing heart warming welcome and hospitality as part of her role within the Longford Convent Community.

From April 2025, she moved to the loving care of the staff and management of Our Lady’s Manor in Edgeworthstown while still enjoying visits back to the convent for jubilee’s and celebrations.

As she reached the incredible age of 106 this week, Sr Felicitas continues to be blessed with good health of mind and body not to mention enjoys relative independent as she participates daily in prayer and all other activities.

Describing her as a great example to everyone, the Mercy Community said Sr Felicitas “still has a nurse’s eye and a nurse’s compassion - undimmed by the years.”

“It is no wonder that she has been loved and so highly thought of by all who knew her or worked with her,” they added. “We wish her a very happy 106th birthday and hope she enjoys the celebrations.”