Oldest citizen in Laois celebrates her 107th birthday

CELEBRATIONS took place in north Co Laois as the oldest woman in Portarlington turned 107.

Originally from Station Road, but currently residing at St Vincent's nursing home, Mountmellick, Sylvia Mathews celebrated a quiet birthday in the company of staff, residents and family.

Elaine Conroy, ward manager of St Martha’s unit at St Vincent’s, said Sylvia is a “very pleasant lady.” “We have been delighted to have her here as a resident,” she continued.

Longevity thrives in Co Laois, with two of the county’s residents having reached the milestone of Ireland’s oldest person in the last 15 years.

Anastatia ‘Statia’ Kealy, raised in Rathdowney, lived to be 108. She was the oldest person living in Ireland at the time of her passing in September 2011. Her mother was born during Abraham Lincoln’s presidency.

Laois woman Mary Kate Byrne officially became the oldest person in Ireland following Ms Kealy’s passing. Ms Byrne lived beside four generations of her family in Maganey and passed away in December 2012.

The number of people living to 100 has risen steadily in Ireland over the past decade.

In 2022, it was reported that the number of Irish people living to 100 or more hit record levels, with 476 Irish citizens receiving a letter from then-president Michael D Higgins and a cheque from the state for €2,540 on their 100th birthday.

That same year, a record 758 Irish citizens also received a commemorative coin and a letter signed by the president for surpassing their 101st birthday. This is a trend that is expected to rise.

Ireland's oldest living woman is Nell Hynes of Co Offaly, who celebrated her 109th birthday in December 2025.