Ireland’s Oldest Woman, Ruby Druce, Celebrates 109th Birthday and Reflects on Surviving Two Pandemics
Ruby Druce, Ireland’s oldest living person, marked a remarkable milestone on New Year’s Eve, celebrating her 109th birthday. Born in 1915, Ruby, a lifelong pioneer from Castlefinn, Donegal, has lived through two world wars, the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918, and the recent Covid-19 pandemic. Her longevity is a testament to a life lived with resilience, hard work, and a sense of humor.
Ruby, who is believed to be Ireland’s oldest person, recalls surviving two pandemics in her lifetime: the deadly Spanish flu of 1918-1920 and the more recent global pandemic of Covid-19. The Spanish flu, which claimed millions of lives worldwide, left a deep mark on Ruby’s early years.
She vividly remembers losing two of her siblings, Mary Elizabeth, just six weeks old, and her two-year-old brother James, to the virus just a month after World War II ended. Despite these tragedies, Ruby herself escaped the illness, partly thanks to her father’s unconventional remedy—a couple of teaspoons of poitín, which she humorously notes was the only time she ever drank alcohol in her life.
Reflecting on her long life, Ruby said, “I never thought in all my years of living that I would live as long.” Widowed for 55 years after the death of her husband, Jim Druce, Ruby attributes her remarkable longevity to walking, hard work, and daily doses of cod liver oil. Ruby and Jim, a musician from Scotland, were childhood sweethearts who met at age 14 and married in 1956.
They enjoyed many years together, including riding Jim’s Honda 50 motorbike to Bundoran in Donegal.Ruby’s personal story is rich with perseverance and community spirit. After leaving school at 14, she worked in a local shirt factory for over four decades.
Later, she dedicated herself to caring for her aging father. Despite the hardships, Ruby has always remained deeply connected to her community and, at 100, donated her centenarian’s cheque from the President of Ireland to local charities.This inspiring centenarian’s warm personality has made her a beloved figure. Country singer Daniel O’Donnell, a longtime friend, visits her annually to sing “Happy Birthday,” and the pair famously performed “The Homes of Donegal” together in 2024.
Ruby Druce’s incredible life story is not only a testament to her resilience but also a reflection of the strength of the human spirit across generations.