By Michelle Crean

It was yet another very special birthday for Ireland's oldest man as Michael J O'Connor celebrated turning 108 on Wednesday!

And unlike the confines of COVID last year, Michael got to have a special celebration, a meal with his closest family and friends at his home in Muckross - and he even made a speech!

"I'm doing great," Michael told the Killarney Advertiser.

"It was strictly a family party, it's what I wanted. It wasn't an open house. There was no comparison to last year as everything was closed down."

Wednesday began with a visit from local priest Fr Kieran O'Brien followed by family and many many well wishers.

"You couldn't move, the room was full," he said, although his daughter Avril explained that it was all done in a safe socially distanced manner.

"I was tired [afterwards] but thankfully not as tired as I thought I'd be. I feel quite active this morning [Thursday]."

Micheal was born in Glencar in 1913 and wasn't expected to live past the age of six after contracting the Spanish Flu. He has also lived through the War of Independence, the Civil War, World War One and Two.

In February this year Michael received the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine at Deenagh Torc Medical Practice, Reeks Gateway, and said then that he was looking forward to "life without fear".

He came to Killarney 40 years ago with his wife Joan, who sadly passed away in 2008.

He puts his longevity down to a daily glass of whiskey.

Up until four years ago - at the age of 104 - he was driving, and remembers his first car was a Model T Ford.

"I was driving cars from 1930 until 2017. The old Model T Ford had no gears, no accelerator and there was a throttle for slowing down and for normal driving." He also remembers driving a Volkswagen Jetta up until he stopped driving and never experienced power-steering.

Michael, who has featured in a number of television documentaries, was quite active and independent up until COVID hit 19 months ago.

These days he enjoys time at home with his family, good food, some daily exercise, plenty of rest and a glass of whiskey.

In his family speech he thanked those closest to him for their support saying "everyone has contributed to my happiness", and finished with some inspiring words.

"Every day is an exciting day and you learn something from it."