Bessie Nolan, the centenarian who starred in the acclaimed documentary Older Than Ireland, has passed away at the age of 106.
Bessie's death was announced on the film's Facebook page.
"It is with extreme sadness that we learned that Bessie Nolan (106) has sadly passed away today peacefully in her sleep. Our thoughts and prayers are with all her family," reads the post
"Like when any Irish centenarian passes, the country loses a part of its history. None more so than today. When Older Than Ireland played on RTE One, as soon as she lit up her cigarette in the opening shot of the film, she lit up the nation."
"Ireland’s oldest and most glamorous fashionista always had an interest in style, which was something we immediately noticed when we arrived to interview her," the Older Than Ireland team continued.
"She was the personification of elegance. Sitting down to talk, we compliment her on how stylish she is but she was characteristically modest about and retorted with a quip about how "ancient" she was.
"So how did Bessie make it to this incredible age?" the post concludes
"Well, as ever, Bessie just smiles before saying: "My daughter said I’m not on the [death] register. God forgot all about me. I think he did."
"We’re not sure anyone could forget Bessie. Rest in Peace."
Among those paying tribute to Bessie was Minister for Health Simon Harris, who described Bessie as an "amazing person".
Had the honour of meeting the incredible, legendary Bessie Nolan this time last year in the McAuley Centre in Dublin. We had a great chat. So sorry to hear of her passing at 106 years of age. Amazing person. May she rest in peace pic.twitter.com/tmd7AqEZTa
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) February 28, 2018
Released in cinemas in September 2015 and charming the nation when shown on RTÉ One the following August, Older Than Ireland saw Bessie among 30 Irish centenarians who shared their lives with The Irish Pub director Alex Fegan.
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His documentary has been hailed as one of the most inspirational films of recent years. Another of Older Than Ireland's stars, Dr Flann Brennan, passed away in January at the age of 104.
