Norman Irwin, Northern Ireland’s Oldest Man, Turns 107

Norman Irwin, the oldest living man in Northern Ireland, UK, celebrated his 107th birthday today in County Londonderry.

Irwin was born on 17 November 1918.

He is a veteran of the Second World War. He volunteered in April 1939, joining the Coleraine Battery of the Royal Artillery as a gunner. Before long, he found himself in the searing heat of the North African desert, battling Rommel’s forces in campaigns that spanned thousands of miles. At one point, when tools were scarce, he even improvised and engineered his own guns. In 1942, he became one of the founding members of the newly formed Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME). He rose swiftly to the rank of sergeant and served with distinction until the war’s end.

By reaching 107, he matched the age of Jacob Marshall—the oldest known man ever to die in Northern Ireland—who passed away on his 107th birthday on 3 February 2011.

Birthday party held for Northern Ireland's oldest man

Mr Irwin (in the middle) pictured with family, friends and military representatives© BBC

A special birthday party has been held for a 107-year-old World War Two (WW2) veteran who is believed to be Northern Ireland's oldest man.

Norman Irwin was joined by his family, friends and military representatives at his care home near Coleraine, County Londonderry on Monday.

"It seems a lot of fuss over nothing," Mr Irwin joked.

He served in eight countries during WW2 and played a vital role in protecting the Suez canal from German attacks.

'Be kind to everybody'

He said the "comradery of the men" during that time stays with him to this day.

Mr Irwin said the world has changed a lot since he was born in 1918.

"It is very difficult to get a handle on the world nowadays. It's difficult to know where it's going.

"It is changing so rapidly and it will keep on changing rapidly."

Mr Irwin said young people should "take it as it comes and do your best and be kind to everybody on your way up because you might meet them on your way down."

Earlier this year, he was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for a range of voluntary work in his home town, including at a cross-community club for retirees.

He said his longevity was down to whiskey and he was gifted a bottle by The Corps of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers with his military service number engraved.

'Very honoured'

Norman's grandson Chris Irwin said he was "incredibly proud".

"I can't believe he's 107 and still going strong. He's got such zest for life…he's a witty character and such fun to be around."

"The other day he dropped his wallet on the floor and by the time I'd even thought about it he'd picked it up and put it in his pocket," he added.

"He's still here, he's still enjoying it and still going strong and there's no sign of him giving up.

"I feel very honoured to be his grandson…and I'm looking forward to his 108th birthday."

RIP

Jane Benington, Northern Ireland’s Oldest Resident, Dies at 108

Jane Benington, a resident of Belfast, Northern Ireland, passed away on 10 May, at the age of 108 years, 13 days. Her passing was reported by Funeral Times.

Benington was born on 27 April 1917 in Carland Manse, near Cookstown in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. She was one of seven children of Reverend Joseph McCausland, a Presbyterian minister. Her family later moved to Kilmacrenan in County Donegal for a time, and then settled in Lisbellaw, County Fermanagh, where Jane attended Enniskillen Collegiate School.

Following her schooling, she enrolled in a catering college in Glasgow, but soon decided to pursue a career in nursing. She trained in Birmingham and later qualified as a midwife. Jane then spent a period working as a nurse in Malta before eventually returning home.

After retiring from the health service, she went to help out in a residential home. It was there that she met her husband, Arnold Bennington. Sadly, Arnold passed away just two years after they were married.

On 17 March 2025, following the passing of 109-year-old Agnes Thompson, she became the oldest living person in Northern Ireland.

According to the Oldest in Britain website, which tracks the nation’s oldest living residents, the oldest known living person in Northern Ireland is believed to be Margaret McMordie, born on 14 January 1918.

The featured image was sourced from Belfast Live

https://www.facebook.com/100077162868915/posts/578518321396925/

He might be the oldest living man in Northern Ireland.

am generally very sceptical of these 19th century Irish claims; there were 514 centenarians reported in the 1901 census, five times the number in 1990.

What's a huge shame is that Irish 19th century census records were overwhelmingly destroyed, so checking such claims becomes extraordinarily difficult. I have no doubt that most of them were fake, but I do wonder about the few that could have potentially been real. Not necessarily saying that this man's case was one of them, of course.

She was born on 2 September 1915.

She was the 19th OLP of the United Kingdom.

https://oldestinbritain.nfshost.com/deaths.php

https://www.ireland-live.ie/news/derry-now/1731123/derry-death-notices-monday-february-17-2025.html#textlink0#textlink0

RIP Rebecca (Ruby) Allen.