Anne Whelan celebrates being one hundred years old a year early.
Anne Whelan always thought that she was a year older than she actually is. Although she has just discovered that she is only 99 yars of age, she is celebrating her 100th birthday as she begins her 100th year.
Anne Whelan lives with one of her daughters off Grand Canal Street in Dublin.
She enjoys a bottle of stout in the evenings and a cigarette.
She has 11 children, 34 grandchildren, 76 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
Prompted by her daughters, Anne Whelan says the secret to a long life is not to worry. She started smoking about 10 years ago following the death of her husband and smokes about 20 cigarettes a day. When asked what are her plans when she actually turns 100 next year, she says she might get married again.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 12 July 1984. The reporter is Alasdair Jackson.
