Special celebrations have been held at Drumhaw Fold, Lisnaskea, to mark Fermanagh centenarian Sarah Fee’s important milestone - her 100th birthday.

Last Friday afternoon, December 2, a fish and chip lunch was served as the celebratory meal, when Sarah was joined by tenants, family and friends. 

The cutting of the cake and musical entertainment followed. 

Among those who joined Sarah for a cup of tea and cake were First Minister Arlene Foster and the Earl of Erne, Deputy Lord Lieutenant, who were welcomed to Drumhaw Fold by Scheme Coordinator Mandy Graham. 

Sarah was born on December 2, 1916 at Drumbroughas North in Lisnaskea, close to Drumhaw Fold, where she has been a tenant for the past three years. 

She was the second of a family of six born to John James and Bridget Fee nee Kittrick from Co. Mayo. Marian was the eldest, followed by Sarah and then came Joe, whose three children joined them at the 100th celebrations - Paddy, John and Ann, who all live in Fermanagh. Margaret went to Africa and had a family of four; Tim went to Australia and Peter went to Canada.

Sarah was educated at the Moat School in Lisnaskea and then at Mount Lourdes, Enniskillen. She then went on to Belfast College.
On finishing school, she secured a job at Whitehall and spent 46 years in the Civil Service. She worked all over the country, which included a spell of six months in the state of Rhodesia. 

During her career, she returned to Northern Ireland, where she worked at a Rationing Office in Enniskillen during the early 1950s. She retired when she was 60. 

She has marvellous memories of the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool; she loved to dance and it was her favourite place.

Having spent the majority of her years in England, Sarah moved into Drumhaw Fold in 2013; it was there that she celebrated her landmark birthday with fish and chips provided by the “Silver Dollar.” According to Mandy Graham, Sarah is now counting down the days until her next birthday.

Mandy describes Sarah as a very active figure and said that she really loved her birthday celebrations. She said the birthday girl delivered a speech at the party and thanked everyone for coming. Also thanked were Mandy and the Drumhaw staff and Sarah’s family. 

Mandy added that she, Sarah, and her family have received an invitation from Lord Erne to visit Crom in the New Year for afternoon tea.