Mullagh man celebrates 100th birthday

In the summer of 1936, three years before the start of World War Two, and mere weeks before Jesse Owens won four gold medals at the Olympics in Berlin, the gymnastics talent of teenager Arthur Saunders caught the eye of a local news reporter in Athlone.

The exhibition, part of a school sports day held in Arthur's hometown of Athlone, was described by those who witnessed it as “undoubtedly” the highlight.

While his gymnastics days may be behind him, Arthur is preparing to celebrate his 100th birthday this coming Friday. Yet he remains “the fittest man you could ever meet” according to his daughter, Ann.

Arthur, who now lives in Mullagh, still has relatives still living in Athlone including his sister, Audrey, who celebrated her 88th birthday in August.

He attended the town's Technical School growing up, before working in the local Woollen Mills in his teens.

Ann says Arthur picked up the nickname - Soko - because he used to read a comic that featured a teacher called 'Soko Saunders'.

By 1941, Arthur emigrated to England, where would meet his future wife, Teresa Clarke from Trim, Co Meath, in London in 1947.They went on to have two daughters and a son - Ann, Pauline, and Derek - and Arthur currently has seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Most of his career, some 33 years, was spent working on the railway network in London.

He retired in 1985, but only moved back to Ireland with his wife approximately 20 years ago.

Sadly, Teresa passed away a number of years ago, but Arthur continues to reside with his daughter, Ann, and is a popular figure in his adopted home of Mullagh, where locals described him as “an amazing man and a great character".

He was chosen to turn on the Christmas lights in the village last December, and a socially-distanced birthday celebration is being planned this Friday.