An Irish grandmother has shown her grandkids where they get their brains from by becoming the oldest person to pass the Junior Cert exams.
She has also been named ‘Grandmother of the Year’ by Specsavers thanks to her ‘lust for life’.
Moya Connelly, 94, is a retired nurse. She returned to education six years ago. She took an IT course so she could email her brother in Brazil and Skype her grandchildren.
She later took her Junior Cert exams in history and English in Coláiste Éanna in Cabra.
Moya’s granddaughter Hannah nominated her for the award, saying that her grandmother is ‘inspirational’.
She won a trophy, a weekend away in Ireland and a Specsavers voucher. She said: “I’ve got to get some posh glasses!
“I just wanted to keep my mind active. My grandchildren have phones and iPads and everything, and I thought I should try to keep up with them.
However, Moya has no interest in continuing academic studies, preferring instead to focus on her creativity.
When asked what she would be doing next she said: “Not another exam! I have the art classes, and I write poetry as well.”
“I’d really like to say thanks to everyone at Cabra Community College. If it weren’t for them I never would have done the exams.”
Chairperson of Specsavers Ireland Sinead Clohessy said, “We received heartwarming entries from all across the country and were truly inspired by Moya’s story. Despite her hearing loss she is still living life to the full and is proof that it is never too late to learn and accomplish your goals.”
Written by Michael Kehoe @michaelcalling