Four female centenarians were treated to an afternoon tea at Hillsborough Castle to celebrate their landmark birthdays.
The women - the oldest of which is 106 - are clients of home care company Home Instead Down and Lisburn and the celebration was organised by business owner Lynn Elliott.
The centenarians were joined on the special day by their daughters as well as two 99-year-olds who are also clients of the company. They enjoyed reminiscing over afternoon tea, and had fun trying on crowns in recognition of the Co Down castle's royal connections.
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The eldest client attending was 106-year-old Joan Urquhart from Belfast , who said the secret to positive later life is "to keep your mind active."
Joan was a higher education teacher, who later lectured at Jordanstown. She travelled a lot in her younger years, going as far as Australia.
After retiring, she moved to Bangor and ran a B&B until she was in her 80's. Joan enjoys reading The Guardian to keep up to date with the news and doing crosswords to stay active.
Joan was joined by Anne Campbell from Carryduff, who turned 100 just before the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, 99-year-old Etta Girvan from Ballynahinch, and 105-year-old Jeanie Moore from Saintfield.
Commenting on the special day, Lynn said: “What a privilege to spend the afternoon with these amazing women. I have a real soft spot for ladies of such a fine age.
“My own grandmother lived 2 decades with us at home from 83 to 103 years. I witnessed first-hand what positive later life looks like; contented ordinary days at home, where stress is low and quality of life is high.
“Granny helped in the garden if she was able, made the wheaten bread for the household every week, and right up to the weekend she passed away she swept the floor every evening after tea.
"She was my inspiration for starting this business providing care and support to clients at home. These fabulous clients of ours are all living their best life at home and we are grateful to have a little part in this”.
Home Instead offers a range of care services for older people, ranging from personal care, such as help with dressing and bathing, dementia care and home help.
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