In 2017, the Donnelly family from Northern Ireland officially earned the title of the world’s oldest family, securing their place in the Guinness World Records.
Their remarkable achievement was highlighted in the BBC documentary The World’s Oldest Family, which explored the reasons behind their extraordinary lifespan.
The Donnellys grew up in Collegeland, situated on the border of County Tyrone and County Armagh.
Reflecting on their longevity, the eldest sister, Maureen, who was 91 at the time, remarked:“We are all as healthy as when we were 50, 60, and some of us even 20 years old. We haven’t changed, we don’t change, we’re in the land of youth.”
As seen with the Melis family in Italy—another record-holding long-lived family—diet plays a pivotal role in longevity.
For the Donnellys, it’s a mix of homegrown apples, working on their farmland, and staying active with Gaelic football.
Leo Donnelly, the youngest sibling at 71 during the record-setting year, shared:
“They talk about these Mediterranean diets and this Japanese sushi, all this and that throughout the world, but we think we’ve got just as good in our back fields. Apples have been running through our veins since before we were born. My daddy got into apples in the 1930s.”
The Donnelly family stands out for their teetotal lifestyle. As Leo put it:
“There is not a single drinker in this family. It would certainly help.”
In addition to avoiding alcohol, the Donnellys swore by their love of porridge, a family tradition passed down through generations. They ate two bowls daily.
“The key is that you need to get your oats at night,” Leo said. “We’ve always followed daddy’s habit of that nice warm bite before sleep. Porridge at around 10 pm, then again for breakfast at 7 am. Cooked oats, milk, a spot of apple jam on top.”
The Donnellys originally included 16 siblings, although three had passed away by the time of the record. Leo’s twin brother, Austin, who had initiated the search for families older than theirs, sadly passed away just months before the Guinness World Record was awarded.
The NHS highlights that avoiding alcohol can reduce the risk of high blood pressure, promote weight loss, and increase energy levels.
Similarly, Ireland’s Health Service Executive notes that an alcohol-free lifestyle improves blood sugar and blood pressure while reducing alcohol-related issues like headaches, indigestion, and stomach upsets. Physiological benefits include less fat buildup around the liver, better sleep and improved absorption of key nutrients like vitamins B1 and B12, folic acid, and zinc.
