100th birthday for Dunabbey House resident

As the month of January drew to a close at the HSE’s Dunabbey House residential nursing unit in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, her fellow residents, staff, family and friends gathered there to celebrate the 100th birthday of Mrs. Hannah Hanrahan.

Present to mark the occasion and to pass on a letter of congratulations and bounty cheque issuing from the President of Ireland upon Hannah’s special birthday was Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Dept. of Health Mary Butler TD.

Hannah Power was born on the 24th of January, 1926 in Glenane, Kilbrien, Co. Waterford – one of seven children to farmers Michael and Ellen Power. The family were delighted that Hannah’s one surviving sibling Kitty was also present at the party in Dunabbey to mark the 100th birthday.

Hannah attended Kilbrien National School and the Presentation Convent secondary school in Ballingarry, Co. Tipperary. Following the passing of both her parents when Hannah was in her late teens, she returned to Kilbrien, where her eldest brother David ran the farm and ensured his siblings were looked after.

Hannah recalls a wonderful youth in Kilbrien, socialising with her family and friends and going to dances and plays. Throughout her life, Hannah loved her style and dressing up for those dances. One such occasion was at the Halfway House in Ballymacarbry, where Hannah first met her future husband John Hanrahan from Ballinamult, Tooraneena, Co. Waterford. Hannah and John married in 1957, ran a farm at Doon, Ballinamult and welcomed four daughters: Josephine, Eileen, Treasa and Máiréad.

In addition to working on the farm, especially in the rearing of calves, Hannah took great pride in her garden. Along with providing hen’s eggs to the local creamery and to neighbours, Hannah was a renowned baker, loved entertaining family and friends at her home in Doon and was an active member of the local branch of the Irish Countrywomen’s Association.

Hannah and John were fortunate to celebrate their 60th anniversary in 2017, with John sadly passing away a year later. In recent times, Hannah had been resident in the Padre Pio nursing home in Cappoquin but transferred to Dunabbey House last year.

A lady of great faith, Hannah looks forward to weekly Mass, receiving communion and participates in daily rosary at Dunabbey.  

Appropriate to the milestone being marked, in her letter to Hannah, Uachtarán na hÉireann Catherine Connolly noted:

“You have lived through remarkable times in the history of Ireland and the world. You have witnessed remarkable changes, in lifestyle and technological developments, unimaginable at the time of your birth in January 1926.”

Also present for the 100th birthday party was Paula French (Director of Nursing at Dungarvan Community Hospital/Dunabbey House), who said:  

“We are delighted to mark this day with the remarkable Hannah, her family, fellow residents and friends. We were also delighted that Minister Butler was present. On all of our behalf, we wish Hannah Hannah very happy birthday!”