Annie Maria celebrates her 100th birthday

Annie Maria Boyle celebrated her 100th birthday last month in her home among family and friends who gathered from far and near to wish her well. This amazing lady was born in Meenachan on the 27th November 1906, daughter of Patrick James and Mary Gallagher and sister to Manus, Connell, Patrick, John, Hugh, Daniel, Michael, Peter, Gerry, Norah and Agustine.
Annie Maria married local tailor Daniel Boyle and set up home in Meenagran. They were blessed with one daughter, Mary and four sons, Paddy, Peter, Danny and Thomas.
As the family grew up they moved to different parts of the world: Paddy and Thomas – America, Danny – England, Mary – Dublin. Peter remained at home to look after his mother’s welfare following the death of his father in 1977. This family dispersal gave Annie Maria a variety of destinations to visit when she so wished. She has travelled to the Big Apple on numerous occasions and is a frequent visitor to her daughter in Dublin, taking in some shopping while there.
Annie Maria always stands out in a crowd with her style and elegance - often donning a matching hat to complement her outfit.
The big adventure of her life was a Mediterranean cruise thirty years ago with her son Danny who worked on the ship ‘Canberra’. She told me that, of all the cities she visited, her favourite was Rome. After this trip when the different countries and cities would feature on the T.V. Annie Maria would recall her visit there - especially Barcelona when the football was on.
There were many milestone occasions over her 100 years but one of the most exciting events took place six years ago with her appearance on the RTE ‘Winning Streak’ - and indeed she holds the title for the eldest contestant ever on the show. Host Mike Murphy complimented her on her health and appearance and rightly so as she sat cool, calm and collected at the age of 94.
There is always a kettle on the stove in the Boyle household and the many welcome visitors who call to the Meenagran residence never leave without a cup of tea poured into the best china, with freshly baked bread and, on many occasions, taking away with them a scone of the best brown bread in the country.
But not only is Annie Maria a good cook but also very talented at delicate embroidery work and dressmaking skills.
For her 99th there was a party in Frosses hall where the birthday girl took to the floor many times, indeed giving a demonstration of the Mazorka with her brother Agustine. All of Annie Maria’s family travelled to be with her for her 100th birthday, including her six grandchildren and seven great-grand children.
Annie Maria is a remarkable lady, a loving mother, an adored granny and great-granny, a caring sister, a generous aunty, a good neighbour and a true friend. We are all fortunate to have people of this calibre living in our midst and hopefully Annie Maria will be around for many years to come.
Happy 100th birthday Annie Maria!

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COUNTY COUNCIL EXPECTED TO FACILITATE MAJOR JOBS BOOST FOR DONEGAL TOWN
Donegal County Council is expected to grant planning permission to Keeney Construction Limited and Magee Clothing Limited for the erection of a massive mixed use town centre development on the site of the Magee Factory at Milltown later this week. The application had sought the Council’s approval for the erection of a new supermarket (understood to be anchored by Tesco Ireland), fifteen retail units, 250 residential units, office accommodation and car parking provision for 950 vehicles on the riverside site. The application also includes new vehicular and bridge crossings over the River Eske.
The County Council have been considering the application since November 2005 and following a number of requests for amendments, is set to give the project the go-ahead and, in the process, pave the way for the creation of hundreds of new jobs in the town during both the construction and operational phases. The expected announcement by the Council provides a welcome boost for the town as it begins to feel the effects of the redundancies instigated by Hospira and Magees in recent months.
Whilst the project has been objected to by a number of individuals and organisations in the area, only time will tell if the Council’s expected decision to grant permission for the proposal will become the subject of an appeal to An Bord Pleanala. This, at best, would cause significant delays to the project and, at worst, could prevent it from going ahead at all, causing further heartache to those now in search of suitable employment opportunities.
An Bord Pleanala in the meantime are continuing to consider the proposed erection of a Dunnes Stores Supermarket and a Local Retail Centre on a site at the Mullans on the outskirts of the town. The Board has delayed issuing a decision on this application for the past four weeks increasing speculation that they are awaiting Donegal County Council’s decision on the Keeney/Magee Development. If both proposals secure planning permission, it would represent a wonderful end to 2006 and create new hope that the town could come out of the doldrums it is currently in - and allow it to flourish in 2007 and the years ahead.