From living through two World Wars to getting letters from Presidents and royals – Phyllis turns 109

Lorna Siggins

Today at 03:30

It is not every centenarian who receives birthday greetings from two queens, a king and a President, but then not everyone reaches the age of 109 – as Phyllis Furness did yesterday.

Framed greeting cards from Britain’s late Queen Elizabeth and current king and queen, Charles and Camilla, hang in her room in Moycullen, Co Galway.

Join the Irish Independent WhatsApp channel

Stay up to date with all the latest news

Latest Irish News

‘We had that family time and that meant an awful lot to us’ – father who lost triplet on why he’s raising funds for LauraLynn children’s hospice
Nearly 40pc of people have been affected by medicine shortage, survey shows
Limerick mayoral candidate contacts gardaí after home address shared on TikTok and people urged to smash windows
From living through two World Wars to getting letters from Presidents and royals – Phyllis turns 109
John Downing: As Rishi Sunak calls a July election, most here will hope a big Labour win can provide a reset for Ireland
‘He has never said a word and is about to start school, there’s just no help’ – mum on battle for autistic son (4)
Irish dancing body faces insolvency as teachers suspected of feis fixing furious they can’t clear their names
RTÉ remains tight-lipped on plans for 2FM after talent exodus – should it cut its losses and axe the station?
‘Far too many children are going to bed hungry in one of wealthiest EU states,’ says Taoiseach Simon Harris
Heather Humphreys could cut welfare support for 8,000 Ukrainians to as little as €38.80 a week

Latest Irish News

‘We had that family time and that meant an awful lot to us’ – father who lost triplet on why he’s raising funds for LauraLynn children’s hospice

Nearly 40pc of people have been affected by medicine shortage, survey shows

Limerick mayoral candidate contacts gardaí after home address shared on TikTok and people urged to smash windows

From living through two World Wars to getting letters from Presidents and royals – Phyllis turns 109

John Downing: As Rishi Sunak calls a July election, most here will hope a big Labour win can provide a reset for Ireland

‘He has never said a word and is about to start school, there’s just no help’ – mum on battle for autistic son (4)

Irish dancing body faces insolvency as teachers suspected of feis fixing furious they can’t clear their names

RTÉ remains tight-lipped on plans for 2FM after talent exodus – should it cut its losses and axe the station?

‘Far too many children are going to bed hungry in one of wealthiest EU states,’ says Taoiseach Simon Harris

Heather Humphreys could cut welfare support for 8,000 Ukrainians to as little as €38.80 a week