Cork nun declared Ireland’s oldest living person at 108

The inaugural Cork Person of the Year, Sister Colette Hickey, has become Ireland’s oldest living person, at the age of 108.

Sr Colette, who joined the Good Shepherd Sisters more than 90 years ago, aged 17, was named the very first Cork Person of the Year in 1993, in recognition of her charitable contributions, including founding and running of Edel House.

Since 1972, Edel House has been providing emergency accommodation for women and children, and offering residents support to rebuild their lives.

Cork Person of the Year organiser Manus O’Callaghan said: 

“Since first meeting Sr Colette at that inaugural awards lunch, I’ve seen first-hand her immense drive and compassion to help others.

“I told her on the day of the awards, by way of small talk, to let me know if she ever needed any help with anything. Not shy to take me up on my offer, I shortly received a phonecall from her and ended up spending several enjoyable decades on the Edel House committee.

“I’ll always remember when she told me that ‘God must have forgotten me, he’s not called me home’. I know I speak for all of the people of Cork when I say that God has enough saints in heaven… we need some of our down here!”

Mr O’Callaghan said that her award was presented by then-Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, who had travelled directly from London after signing the Downing Street Agreement with John Major, which led to the landmark Good Friday Agreement a few years later.