Who is the oldest person to ever live in Ireland?

According to the Gerontology Research Group (GRG), Ireland has two distinct record holders for longevity. The oldest person born in Ireland was Kathleen Snavely, who reached 113 years and 140 days, while the oldest person to die within the country was Katherine Plunket, at 111 years and 327 days. The answer to who is the oldest person to ever live in Ireland depends on whether you consider birth location or place of death.

Quick Summary

This article explores the question of Ireland's oldest person by distinguishing between the longest-lived native-born individual, Kathleen Snavely, and the longest-lived resident, Katherine Plunket. It covers their life stories, the process of age validation by organizations like the Gerontology Research Group (GRG), and compares their longevity achievements with those of other notable Irish supercentenarians.

Key Points

• Longest-Lived Native: Kathleen Snavely holds the record for the longest-lived Irish-born person, reaching 113 years and 140 days.

• Longest-Lived Resident: Katherine Plunket is the oldest person to have died within Ireland, passing away at 111 years and 327 days.

• Verification Standards: The ages of both Snavely and Plunket have been officially validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG).

• Historical Context: Plunket was an aristocrat and artist, while Snavely was a businesswoman who emigrated.

• Distinction between Records: The difference depends on whether the criteria are based on birth country or location of death.

• Other Notable Supercentenarians: Ireland has produced numerous other verified supercentenarians.

• Challenging Folklore: Verified records distinguish from less credible historical claims.

Kathleen Snavely: Ireland's Longest-Lived Native

Kathleen Snavely, born in County Clare in 1902, holds the record as the longest-lived person born in Ireland, reaching 113 years and 140 days. She emigrated to Syracuse, New York, in 1921 where she co-founded the successful Seneca Dairy. She passed away in Syracuse in 2015.

Life Highlights

• Born: February 16, 1902, County Clare.
• Emigration: Moved to Syracuse, New York, in 1921.
• Career: Co-founded and ran Seneca Dairy.
• Record: Became the longest-lived person born on the island of Ireland in March 2015.
• Died: July 6, 2015, in Syracuse, USA.

Katherine Plunket: Ireland's Longest-Lived Resident

Katherine Plunket, an Anglo-Irish aristocrat born in 1820 in County Louth, is the oldest person to have died in Ireland, living for 111 years and 327 days. Known for her travels and botanical illustrations, her longevity was well-documented due to her prominent family background. She died at her family home in County Louth in 1932.

Life Highlights

• Born: November 22, 1820, County Louth.
• Background: Member of the Anglo-Irish aristocracy.
• Interests: Avid traveler and botanical illustrator.
• Record: Featured in the first Guinness Book of Records for her longevity.
• Died: October 14, 1932, County Louth, Ireland.

Irish-Born Supercentenarians: A Comparison

Comparing Kathleen Snavely and Katherine Plunket clarifies the distinction in Ireland's longevity records.

Feature	Kathleen Snavely	Katherine Plunket
Title	Longest-lived Irish-born person	Longest-lived person to die in Ireland
Lifespan	113 years, 140 days	111 years, 327 days
Birthplace	County Clare	County Louth
Place of Death	Syracuse, New York, USA	County Louth, Ireland
Background	Emigrant, businesswoman	Aristocrat, artist

The Role of the Gerontology Research Group (GRG)

The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) is crucial in validating these longevity records. The GRG meticulously verifies ages using documentary evidence, ensuring the accuracy of supercentenarian claims. This provides a reliable standard for documenting the oldest individuals, distinguishing verified records from historical accounts that lack rigorous proof.

Other notable Irish supercentenarians

Ireland has been home to several other individuals who have reached supercentenarian status (age 110 or older).

• Annie Scott: Born in County Tyrone in 1883, she lived to 113 years and 37 days, dying in Scotland.
• Henrietta Irwin: Originally from County Antrim, she died in Canada at 112 years and 233 days.
• Margaret Dolan: Died in her birth county of Galway at 111 years and 94 days.
• Mary Ellen Geaney: Lived and died in County Cork, reaching 110 years and 94 days.

The cultural perception of longevity in Ireland

While historical Irish folklore includes tales of extreme longevity, modern understanding is grounded in verified records. The existence of documented supercentenarians like Snavely and Plunket provides a factual basis for Irish longevity, highlighting individuals who lived through significant historical periods. This shift towards documented history, supported by organizations like the GRG, offers a more accurate view compared to unverified legends.

Conclusion

Identifying the oldest person to ever live in Ireland depends on the definition used: birth location or place of death. Kathleen Snavely is the longest-lived Irish-born person at 113 years and 140 days. Katherine Plunket is the oldest person to have died within Ireland at 111 years and 327 days. These records are supported by organizations like the GRG.

• Kathleen Snavely is the oldest person born in Ireland.
• Katherine Plunket is the oldest person to die within Ireland.
• The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) validates supercentenarian records.
• The distinction lies in birth location versus place of death.
• Other Irish supercentenarians are also part of longevity records.
• Irish longevity records are verified using rigorous standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was the oldest person born in Ireland?

The oldest person ever born in Ireland was Kathleen Snavely. She died in the United States at the age of 113 years and 140 days.

Who was the oldest person to die in Ireland?

The oldest person verified to have died within Ireland was Katherine Plunket. She passed away in County Louth in 1932 at 111 years and 327 days.

Was Kathleen Snavely the oldest person from the entire island of Ireland?

Yes, Kathleen Snavely became the longest-lived person from the entire island of Ireland on March 26, 2015, surpassing Annie Scott.

How are supercentenarian ages verified in Ireland?

The ages of Irish supercentenarians are validated by international bodies like the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) using documentary proof.

What is the difference between Kathleen Snavely's and Katherine Plunket's records?

Kathleen Snavely's record is for the longest-lived person born in Ireland, while Katherine Plunket's record is for the longest-lived person who died within Ireland.

Who was Ireland's oldest man?

The oldest man to die in Ireland was Michael O'Connor, who passed away in County Kerry at the age of 108 years and 312 days.

Did anyone older than 113 live in Ireland?

No, according to verified records, no one has lived to be older than 113 years and 140 days, the age reached by Kathleen Snavely.