This article is from page 6 of the 2014-03-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 6 JPG
THE Magner family from Ross gathered this weekend to celebrate a hat trick of occasions, Mai and PJ’s 67th wedding anniversary, as well as birthdays for the happy couple – 95th and 91st respectively.
The key to a long and happy marriage and indeed life is living a “sim- ple lifestyle, coupled with prayer, and a sense of neighbourly goodness”, according to the couple’s family who have watched their parents live a long “wholesome life” together for almost seven decades.
Undoubtedly one of the longest married couples in the county, Mr and Mrs Magner celebrated the landmark occasions with their seven children and their grandchildren at a special dinner that saw the clan gather from all over.
Both Mai and PJ hail from the parish of Kilballyowen, with Mai living all her life besides the famed Bridges of Ross.
Formerly Mai Fennell, this only child married PJ Magner shortly after World War II, on February 12, 1947.
Rations were still in place, so to ‘obtain’ a bottle of whiskey for the ‘wedding breakfast’ was a major coup.
The wedding breakfast was held in their home, in a room that has since become their bedroom, and was attended by a few neighbours.
The West Clare couple went on to raise seven children in that home, three boys and four girls.
“They have lived a simple wholesome life, growing their own vegetables, raising their own fowl, beef and bacon. In summer, there was also lots of fresh mackerel caught, and this was often pickled for winter consumption,” said their daughter Carmel.
“There were plenty rough spots with bad weather spells at harvest time and so forth, but they came through it all, and now they have the comfort and care of living at home with their son Patrick and daughter in law Mary.”
In their nineties the couple continue to enjoy life.
PJ keeps mentally fit by learning off very long recitations, which he delivers at family gatherings, while Mai was an avid reader and a keen flower gardener up until very recently.
As a leap year baby – born on February 29, Mr Magner celebrated his birthday on March 1, while Mrs Magner reached the age of 95 yesterday (Monday).