Ireland's oldest person, Ruby Druce was born in 1915 and has lived through two World Wars and two pandemics. This year she's celebrating her very special New Year's birthday with her family in Castlefinn, Donegal.
In August 2024, Druce became the oldest person in Ireland following the death of Galway woman, Phyllis Furness, aged 109.
Druce has spent Christmas surrounded by her family in Donegal. She even welcomed a special visit from singer, Sinead Black, and recieved scores of birthday cards ahead of her big New Year's Eve birthday.
Celebrations in Castlefinn as amazing Ruby Druce turns 109! - https://t.co/nGTtUKCgaT pic.twitter.com/RjDkdABwDz
— Donegal Daily (@DonegalDaily) December 31, 2024
Donegal Daily reports, Druce is a non-smoker and tee-totaller who has always kept active walking and amazingly lived independently until she was 98.
She was born to George Crawford and Elizabeth (née McBride), the eldest of five children. From the age of 14 to 62 she worked in Porter's Shirt Factory, in Castlefin.
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In 1956 she married Jim Druce. Sadly just 14 years late, now 54 years ago, he passed away.
Druce had a sip of poitín at the age of three when she contracted the flu in 1918, the same years as the Spanish influenza pandemic, Donegal Daily also reports. She lost her six-week-old baby sister, Molly, and two-year-old brother, James, to the outbreak.
Ruby Druce, a native of Castlefinn, Co Donegal, and who is believed to be Ireland's oldest person, is celebrating her 109th birthday today https://t.co/CCyiYvtt8e
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) December 31, 2024
Until earlier this year, Druce lived with her niece, Margo Butler, in Letterkenny, who sadly passed away in July. Now she's relocated to Castlefin where she lives with her niece, Carmel, and her husband, Martin.
Martin told Donegal Daily, "She’s unbelievable for her age."
He says when her age is mentioned to her she says "He's forgotten about me", referring to God.
Earlier this year she spoke to the Irish Times about reaching such a fine age and about being the oldest person in Ireland.
She said “Am I? I think I am,” she says. I will be 109 at the end of the year.”
Druce added, “When your man above pulls the plug, off you go.”
When she turned 100, Druce received almost €2,500 from Ireland's President, Michael D. Higgins, awarded to all those who reach this great age.
Carmel told the Irish Times “She gave it all away.
“She gave some to the guide dogs for the blind, something to Lifford hospital and some to the cancer bus (which brings patients to Galway). She said she did not need money.”
We wish Ruby Druce the happiest of birthdays!
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