Sister Irenaeus just recently turned a grand 100 years old. Reflecting on what it means to have seen an entire century's worth of events unfold, she shares the secret of her long innings.

Sister Irenaeus Murphy says that turning one-hundred is "just another birthday".

As she talks, she has a twinkle in her eye and a kind smile. She is very humble and doesn't like fuss, especially if it's over her. "I've always been quiet" she says in her very present Irish accent.

The youngest of nine, Sister Irenaeus was born Ellen Murphy, on 25 February, 1920, in the small village of Taghmon, southern Ireland. When commenting on how she has kept her accent considering she's lived in New Zealand for eighty years, she instantly replied "why wouldn't I?" in a fantastic lilt followed by an infectious laugh.

Growing up on a small farm, convent life wasn't even a consideration until her sister Finbarr left for New Zealand in 1938 to become a Mercy Sister. "I think it was a whisper from above that I decided to follow her. And I think the main thing then was I missed her so much... we were very close, just a year between us."

18 months later in the thick of World War II, the young 19-year-old said farewell to Ireland and boarded a ship bound for Aotearoa. "It took nearly two months to come. I think because of the war they had to take extra precautions."

One of the 'extra precautions' meant limited time above board, and no lights at night to avoid submarine sightings. This would not have helped with the sea sickness experienced by Ellen and the two young nuns who joined her.

She arrived in New Zealand on January 31 1940 and entered St Mary's Convent in Ponsonby, Auckland.

Back then the main occupations on offer for nuns was being either a teacher or a nurse. Irenaeus was told she was to be a primary school teacher and with the luck of the Irish it suited her perfectly. "Little ones always gave you a laugh... someone had compared them to electrified fleas, children were always on the move and jumping."

She taught in the Far North at Pawarenga and Kaitaia for over 23 years. A source said she is something of a legend up that way. She also taught in Ponsonby, Otahuhu, Avondale, Manurewa, Henderson and Northcote until her retirement in 2005.

Over the past century, the Church and the convent have undergone many changes mainly due to the Second Vatican Council which Pope John XXIII created in 1962 in an effort to modernise the church."There were certainly big changes in the convent. The biggest one was changing our dress after so many years. Everyone knew when we were in a habit, who we were... it was very strange."…

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details