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Alice Hanratty was born in New York on 20 September 1921 and today at Rockfield Care Home 103 years later she celebrated her Birthday in style in the company of family and friends.
In 1957 the inspirational woman opened the popular Roxboro cafe in Monaghan Street, Newry, running it until 1970.
Alice's parents had moved from Clady to New York. When Alice was about 2 her mother was expecting her second child. She decided she wanted to come home so they came back and lived in Dublin with her Aunt for a short while, before moving back to Clady where Alice's brother Tom was born.
She went to primary school in Clady and college in Belfast but her mother took sick and she ended up back in Clady again. As Alice explains "I went home because Mammy wasn't well and Daddy kept me at home to help her. I stayed at home till she was better and then I was sent off."
She ended up in Newry living in Erskine Street. Following opening the Roxboro in 1957 Alice married Tom Hanratty from Omeath in 1960 and they lived in the first house in Derrybeg Villas. Tom used to bring fish and vegetables to the cafe and that was how they met.
Alice's daughter Catherine Kearney explained her fathers business "It was called Boylan and Hanratty at that time. It was a fishmongers, vegetables, that sort of stuff."
Tragically Tom died from cancer in 1967 leaving Alice with two young children Catherine and Regina. Regina and her husband passed away in 1998.
Following her husband's death Alice moved to Ashgrove Road where she lived for over 50 years. A daughter of a first cousin, Mary O'Hare came and lived with them. When Mary moved to Canada Alice decided to quit the Roxboro to look after the children.
Continuing the family connection to eateries, when the popular Satellite in Kilmorey Street came up for sale Alice persuaded her son Tom and his wife Winnie to take it over with the promise she would help them get started.
Alice's sparkle, sense of fun and positivity is apparent for all to see. She has been in Rockfield for five years following a bad fall. She can't walk since but apart from that she is in top form. Over the years she enjoyed her Golf at Warrenpoint Golf Club and Bowls in Newry and Bessbrook. Proud of her independence she enjoyed driving up until 9 years ago.
Catherine comments "We took the car of her at 94 and she still hasn't forgiven us."
Finally never a truer word was said by a 103 year old. When asked what Newry was like back then Alice comments "It was just like now, no different, it hasn't progressed." and added "I would like to see Newry on the map"
Alice certainly has progressed but many an 80 year old would envy her fresh complexion and twinkle in her eyes. We wish her continued health and happiness.
