Rosscahill, County Galway — Martin McEvilly, the oldest living man in Ireland, passed away on October 9th, at the age of 108 years, 75 days. His passing was first reported by the the Irish Independent.
McEvilly was born in Rosscahill, on 26 July 1916, as the youngest of eleven siblings. While several of his siblings lived into their nineties, Martin was the only one to surpass the age of 100. As the youngest child, family tradition dictated that he inherit the family farm, while most of his siblings chose to settle overseas. He spent his life in Rosscahill, farming the land on his family farm and raising his family there.
On 7 January 1946, at the age of 29, he married Kathleen. The couple had seven children: Margaret, Mary, Noranne, Christina, Mickey, Pat, and John. Throughout his adult life, he enjoyed traveling extensively, exploring various parts of Ireland as well as venturing overseas to Australia and the United States, even well into his 80s. According to his son Pat, faith played a significant role in his life. He noted that his father likely never missed an evening without saying the rosary.
His wife passed away on 15 September 2021, at the age of 96, after 75 years of marriage.
Following the death of 108-year-old Mathew Crowley (Summerfield, County Cork) on 26 August 2022, he became the oldest living man in Ireland, at the age of 106 years, 31 days.
Featured image: On his 107th birthday. / Source: Galway Beo
LongeviQuest sends our deepest condolences to the bereaved family and friends of Martin McEvilly.