Cork woman marks her 80th birthday by doing The Echo Women’s Mini Marathon

A CORK woman is marking her 80th birthday by taking part in The Echo Women’s Mini Marathon – even though she admits she’s not a big fan of walking!

But Irene Healy is a big advocate for helping others and has been a volunteer at Enable Ireland for more than 30 years, so instead of birthday gifts, she’s asking people to donate to the charity that provides vital services to over 13,000 children and adults with a range of disabilities including physical, sensory, and intellectual disabilities and autism.

Irene is also taking part in the event on Sunday, September 17 to show her gratitude for her own good health, which is something she never takes for granted.

To be honest, I don’t even own a pair of runners, and don’t usually walk further than the shop which is near to my house, but I’m going to give the Mini Marathon my best shot!

Irene grew up near the back Watercourse Road in the city centre and moved to Ballincollig in 1975 with her husband Michael, 83, and their two children, growing their family to five when they moved to what was then a small village.

“We’ve been in Ballincollig for 48 years now. I remember when we moved first my mother thought it was in the middle of nowhere, but there’s so much here now, we hardly need to go to town at all,” she said.

Irene is mum to Susan, Ian, Grace, Claire and Ken, and they all live close by in Ballincollig, with the exception of one who is in Rylane – a whole half hour’s drive away! Irene is the proud nana of 14, ranging in age from 27 to four.

Her appetite for life is infectious and inspiring.

“As a sort of a ‘last hurrah’, a group of 29 of us, including all of my children and their partners and grandchildren and some of their partners, are going to Teneriffe for a week to mark my birthday and I’m really looking forward to that,” she said.

When her children were school-going, she worked in Andrew Thomas Jewellers in North Main Street’s shopping centre.

“I worked there for 16 years, until 2009, and I absolutely loved it, meeting people, hearing their stories. It was like the university of life,” she recalls.

Irene’s ability to recall dates is impressive and she admits her memory is “very sharp”.

“I’ve had a few health hiccups but we walk on – I had TB when I was 16, and I got malaria in 1988 when I went to my brother’s wedding in Africa. I ended up in hospital here and I missed Clarie’s communion. I also had a bit of a lung removed four years ago. But I won’t mourn what is lost but will celebrate what remains,” she says with her trademark optimism.

Her attitude to life, is everything in moderation – except when it comes to chocolate, she admits having a very sweet tooth.

Irene also says she’s blessed with a great faith.

“I’ve no fear of dying as I’d celebrate meeting up with everyone I’ve loved in life. That’s how I look at it.”

Michael worked with the ESB and retired at the age of 59 and the couple have enjoyed plenty of travel since.

Irene also keeps herself busy with everything and anything: “I’m always on the go. God gifted me with a wonderful pair of hands. I can turn my hands at nearly anything but I’m not a master of anything!”

Irene got involved as a volunteer with Enable Ireland three decades ago through her cousin Anne Hegarty.

“Anne got involved first as a volunteer and then a group of us started helping out with her annual lunch and flag days and wherever we were needed really.

I come from a family of eight, and between all of us, including my own children and grandchildren, we’ve been fortunate enough not to need the services of Enable Ireland, that’s what drew me to it.

“I wanted to help those people who do need it.”

This is the 42nd anniversary of the Mini Marathon and Irene did it around 30 years ago with her sister, and their photo was on the Evening Echo at the time!

“This time round she won’t be doing any training and will just ‘show up on the day’.

“I’m doing it with some neighbours, friends, at least one daughter and some of my granddaughters. I know the crowd will carry me on the day and I’m really looking forward to it.

“Some people might be asking ‘is she off her game?,’ but I’ll just give it my best. I want to celebrate my mobility, something not all my friends have, and who knows, maybe next week I’ll be in need of a mobility scooter myself?

“I’m really grateful for my health, and I just want to be able to enjoy this moment.”

If you want to sign up to The Echo Women’s Mini Marathon, see echolive.ie/minimarathon