Ireland’s oldest person has died at the age of 109.

Máirín Hughes was born on May 22nd, 1914, a matter of months before the outbreak of the first World War.

Speaking to Newstalk just a few short weeks ago, she talked about her memories of Ireland’s fight for independence and the ‘wild euphoria’ when the British left Ireland for the final time.

In a statement this afternoon, Máirín’s nursing home in Chapelizod in Dublin said she died peacefully after a short illness.

Máirín Hughes. Image: James Wilson/Newstalk

Born in Belfast, Máirín grew up in Killarney.

Her parents were both members of the Gaelic League and moved to County Kerry after meeting in London.

In her Newstalk interview, Máirín remembers the 1918 Spanish Flu, watching ‘smartly dressed’ young Kerrymen marching away to fight in the Great War and serving as a fire watcher during the Second World War.

She remembers the ‘uproar’ of the War of Independence and the day a Black and Tan soldier shot two people in a field while they were digging potatoes.

Euphoria

Although she remembers the terror of that time, she also recalls the euphoria of perhaps the most important event in the history of Ireland – the day the British left for good.

“One thing I do remember about it is that the British authorities left the barracks that they were in in Killarney and there was wild [rejoicing], cheers and hurrahs up and down the street - things like that,” she said.

Máirín went on to graduate from UCC with a science degree in 1935.

She worked as a chemist until she married in 1950 and moved to Dublin, where Máirín became a teacher.

Inspiration

The Maryfield Nursing Home where she spent her final days has remembered her as, “an inspirational lady who taught us so much about life”.

“She was full of knowledge and kindness,” said staff. “She cared deeply about nature, giving back to her local community and religion played a large part of her life.

The statement notes that, “She lived all of her 109 years to the fullest and we will miss her every day”.

Maírín is survived by her niece Nuala and nephew Michael.

Reporting from James Wilson.