Want to know how to stop your aging clock at 21?

It’s entirely possible if you ask 97-year-old Cork City native Philip Lecane. Now the energetic, inquisitive, and youthful nonagenarian is sharing his advice as well as some fascinating stories about his life on Leeside.

Phillip is one of 16 elders of Irish society interviewed by historian Turtle Bunbury on the new Vanishing Ireland podcast series, supported by SuperValu.

In the latest episode, he talks of how his forebears arrived in Cork from Jersey and took command of the city’s fire brigade. He ran the family’s newsagent’s shop, established in a time when newspapers were the only real source of public news.

“With an impeccable memory for detail, Philip recalls how the forward-thinking Sister Benedict taught him to build castles with beach sand in the classroom, and he discusses the brilliantly named Sister Santy Claus, and the priest who counseled mourning widows to wear ‘rejoicing’ red instead of sombre black,” says Bunbury.

“I feel very honoured to have had this time with Ireland’s elders and to chronicle their unique and fascinating stories. We hope everyone enjoys listening to the series as much as we have enjoyed creating it.”

Available on Spotify, Google and all podcast channels, Vanishing Ireland with Turtle Bunbury is a podcast series of interviews with Ireland’s over 70’s, celebrating their life stories, challenges, courage, kindness, and humour.

You can listen to the series free of charge here.