Age Friendly Ireland Newsletter 15.05.2026

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National OPC Convention, Westmeath

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who attended and spoke at this year’s National Older People’s Council Convention, hosted by Westmeath County Council in Athlone last week. It was a privilege to bring together representatives from our 31 Older People’s Councils under this year’s theme, “Thriving Together – Age Friendly Sustainable Communities.” The event served as a powerful reminder of how vital your voices are in driving meaningful change across Ireland.

A central focus of the convention was the critical need for stronger local coordination to support those most at risk during emergencies. This sparked an essential dialogue on the implementation of a unified vulnerable persons register, a tool designed to help local authorities and emergency responders act with greater precision during severe weather.

Beyond the keynote speeches, our interactive workshops and site visits brought the theme of "Sustainable Communities" to life. Attendees engaged in a variety of practical and cultural sessions, including:

Focused sessions on being Storm Ready, understanding Dementia, and conducting Public Realm Walkability audits to ensure our streets are accessible for all. A wonderful Library Tour featuring the Bosca Beo, a peaceful Dún na Sí Walk, and a scenic trip on the Viking Tour Boat, showcasing the rich history and amenities of the Athlone region.

These activities highlighted how integrated community services and heritage projects play a massive role in fostering independence and social connection.

A superb couple of days were had by all and we are already in the planning for next years!

Get Involved!

If you would like to join your local OPC and have an opportunity to contribute to next year’s convention, please contact your Local Authority Age Friendly Programme Manager to find out more.

Join your local OPC

National Age Friendly Recognition & Achievement Awards

📣 We want to hear from you! 📣

Our Awards Submissions for 2026 are now OPEN!

Have you been involved in a project that has helped create an Age Friendly Ireland? If so, apply today for the National Age Friendly Recognition & Achievement Awards 2026 at agefriendlyireland.ie

We are thrilled to announce that IPB Insurance are our main event sponsor for the awards, being held in The Limerick Strand Hotel, on October 8th.

We are looking for projects that showcase age friendly initiatives from around the country that are contributing to making Ireland a great place in which to grow old.

Apply Now

Dath an Fhómhair

Tom Curran works in the community section of Laois County Council, delivering the Age Friendly Laois programme. He is in a new TG4 television documentary, Dath an Fhómhair, that showcases incredibly active senior citizens across Ireland.

Dath an Fhómhair captures the brilliance of later life through the stories of older adults who cycle, dance, sing, drum, and work with passion. In doing so, they challenge conventional stereotypes around aging and prove that enthusiasm, creativity, and purpose do not diminish with time - they evolve.

You can watch Dath an Fhómhair on TG4, on Wednesday May 20th at 9:50pm.

REMINDER

Save the Date
Monday May 18, 11am-12.30pm
WEBINAR to launch resources on financial safeguarding.

Roscommon County Council Introduces New Age Friendly Parking Spaces at County Buildings

Roscommon County Council has advanced its commitment to Roscommon being an Age Friendly county with the introduction of three new Age Friendly parking spaces at the County Buildings. This development directly supports the goals outlined in the Council’s Age Friendly Strategy 2025–2030, which prioritises accessible, inclusive and supportive environments for older people.

These new spaces are designed to make Roscommon County Council’s civic facilities more accessible for older residents who may not qualify for disabled parking but still benefit from shorter walking distances and safer access. The initiative reflects the Council’s broader strategic aim to create Age Friendly public spaces that promote independence, participation and ease of movement for older people across the county.

Welcoming the development, the Council’s Chief Executive, Shane Tiernan stated: “These new Age Friendly parking spaces demonstrate our ongoing commitment to ensuring that older people can access public services with dignity, comfort and confidence. Small, practical changes like this make a meaningful difference in people’s daily lives.”

The Age Friendly Programme Manager, Sheila Coyle also highlighted the significance of the initiative, noting: “The introduction of these spaces is an important step in delivering on the priorities set out in our Age Friendly Strategy. It shows how policy can translate into real, visible improvements that support older people to remain active and engaged in their communities.”

By embedding these parking spaces into everyday infrastructure, Roscommon County Council is turning policy commitments into practical, visible improvements that enhance the daily lives of older people throughout the county.

South Dublin County Council OPC AGM

We were delighted to be joined by our wonderful Age Friendly Ambassador - Prof Ronan Collins for our South Dublin County Council AGM recently!

Celebrate Bealtaine Festival at Mary Immaculate College

This May, MIC Age Friendly Campus are delighted to mark the Bealtaine -Ireland’s national festival celebrating the arts and ageing, with three exciting, free, events across both of our campuses. To book your place at any of these events please email: age.friendly@mic.ul.ie

On Monday the 25th of May, the CRAFT Maker Space at MIC Limerick will host a free workshop on Art & Creativity with Sheila O’Callaghan, a socially engaged artist focused on art, creativity, and well-being. This workshop will begin at 10am.

Feature Article

South Dublin County Council invites residents aged 55+ to attend an information session on Right Sizing. We have a number of new age friendly housing developments currently under construction across South Dublin County. These sessions will outline what may be available and how to express an interest. If you are considering moving to a more suitable home, come along to learn more and speak with our team.

Session dates and venues
• Wednesday 27th – Lucan Library – 11:00am
• Wednesday 27th – County Library, Tallaght – 6:30pm

Housing staff will be available on the day to answer questions from anyone aged 55+ who is interested in right sizing to a new council home and find out what supports may be available.

Tallaght

Lucan

OPC Training

A lovely day was had at our OPC training this week! Our OPCs got to learn some media and presentation skills while also getting together to catch up.

Louth Age Friendly Strategy

The new Louth Age Friendly Strategy 2026-2031 was launched at the Louth Age Friendly Alliance meeting on 5th May 2026.

Rod Bond Chair of the Louth Age Friendly Alliance welcomed the new strategy and thanked all involved in it’s preparation, including OPC members, Alliance members , community and voluntary groups and particularly older people in Co Louth who contributed to the consultation process.

The new strategy contains 28 actions across the 8 themes of the Global Network for Age Friendly Cities and Communities. Joe Grogan Chair of the Louth OPC thanked everyone for their contributions to the strategy and advised the Louth OPC were looking forward to working with the Alliance and Programme Manager to help deliver on the strategy and make Co Louth “a place where ageing is valued, life experience is celebrated and resources are directed to support wellbeing and quality of life for people of all ages”.

Offaly OPC/ Offaly Sports Partnership

Fitness in the Park

OPC Conference Athlone Co Westmeath

Members of Louth OPC and the Age Friendly Louth team attended the OPC Conference in Athlone last week.

The theme of the Conference was "Thriving Together: Age Friendly Sustainable Communities". The Conference featured keynote addresses from national and local leaders including Minister Kieran O’Donnell TD, alongside policy updates, expert panels, and interactive workshops.

Highlights included a national update from Age Friendly Ireland , a fire side chat with representatives from An Garda Síochána , Local Authorities and Citizens Information. David Conway Chief Executive of Louth County Council took part in the fireside chat and highlighted the importance of the Age Friendly Programme to Louth County Council since 2008.

Loughboy Library Weekly Online Clinic
Tuesday 19th May from 2.30 - 3.30 pm
Would you like to learn more about the wealth of online resources available from Kilkenny Libraries?
Pop in to see us at our weekly online clinic and we can demonstrate to you how to use such fabulous online resources as Borrowbox, Universal Class and more!
No booking required. Just drop in!

Ciorcal Comhrá Gaeilge / Irish Conversation Group in Loughboy Library
Wednesday 20th May from 11.00 – 11.30am
This is an enthusiastic gathering, seeking to use their cúpla focail. It is open to all levels of fluency, beginners, improvers and advanced.
Just come along any Wednesday agus beidh fáilte romhat!

One-to-One Tech Support in Loughboy Library
Friday 22nd May from 11.00 am - 1.00 pm
Do you need assistance with your mobile phone, tablet or laptop, or other digital devices
and services?
One-to-One Tech Support will be available in Loughboy Library on Friday 17th March from 11.00 am -1.00 pm.
We are grateful to the Transition Year students from Presentation Secondary School Kilkenny for their support.

Word Games in Ferrybank Library
Every Friday from 2.30 - 3.30 pm
Are you a fan of wordle, crosswords and scrabble? Indulge your passion by dropping in to our Friday afternoon word game group.
A good exercise for the brain cells but lots of laughter guaranteed.

Knitting and Crafting Group in Ferrybank Library
Every Tuesday from 10.00 am – 12.30pm
Do you enjoy getting creative with crafts Meet fellow craft lovers at our weekly get together, where you can share tips, swap inspiration, and work on your own projects in great company.
All are welcome - no booking required.

Movie Mornings for Bealtaine Festival in Castlecomer Library
Friday 15th of May from 11.00am – 1.00pm
Join us every Friday morning in May for a relaxed Movie Morning as part of the Bealtaine Festival. Every Friday at 11.00am we will be screening a classic movie while highlighting Kanopy, the free streaming service available with your library card. Come along and enjoy a selection of timeless classics together with a cuppa and biscuits!!! Everyone welcome. No Booking required.
Friday 15th of May - Oklahoma starring Gordon Macrae and Shirley Jones..

Nattering Knitters in Castlecomer Library
Every Thursday from 10.00 am – 12.00 pm
Join this talented bunch of knitters for a knit and a cuppa every Thursday morning 10am to 12pm. No need to book, everyone welcome.

New Chess Club in Castlecomer Library
Saturday 23rd of May from 11.00 am – 12.00 pm
Our new Chess Club continues on 23rd of May from 11.00am to 12.00pm. This is a self-led, everyone welcome, beginners and seasoned players Chess Club. Come along and share skills or learn from one another and enjoy chess at any level.
No Booking Required!

Poetry Workshop for Poetry Day Ireland in Castlecomer Library
Thursday, 28th of May from 2.30 – 4.30pm.
Celebrate Poetry Day Ireland with a Poetry Workshop led by local poet/creative writer lecturer Derek Coyle. Derek will deliver a two-hour creative hands-on session where you will leave with new poem beginnings to develop at home. Beginners, dabblers and experienced writers all welcome!!
Booking is essential as places are limited. Please phone 056 4440561 or email castlecomer@kilkennylibrary.ie

Age Friendly AI Training in the Mayfair Library
Age Friendly AI Training will take place in the Mayfair Library on Thursday 11th June from 6.00 – 7.30pm. This informal training workshop has been designed with & for older adults. To book a place, call 056 7794174 or email mayfair@kilkennylibrary.ie

Shoppe Together - Creative Sewing Workshop in Mayfair Library
Tuesdays 9th, 16th and 23rd June, 2.00 – 5.00pm.
Workshop Callout for Senior Participants
Do you have sewing skills, craft knowledge, or a love of making that you’d like to share? Shoppe – Together invites you to take part in a series of creative workshops connecting with local teenagers facilitated by Susanne Horsch (Visual Artist working in textiles) and Julia MacConville (Visual Artist & Costume Designer) at Kilkenny Mayfair Libraries new Maker Space.
Across three hands-on sessions, you’ll work within an intergenerational setting, sharing skills, stories, and experience while exploring sewing, garment repair, and upcycling. Together, we will rework existing clothing, create a personal project and support each other in developing individual textile skills and projects.
Your knowledge and lived experience are at the heart of this project—helping to pass on valuable skills while also learning fresh perspectives from a younger generation. The workshops offer a relaxed and social environment, encouraging connection, creativity, and meaningful exchange.
Join us to make, mentor, learn and be inspired—while building new relationships and highlighting the value of craft, community, and sustainability.
Materials provided.
The workshop series is free but spaces are limited. To book email Julia - juliamacconville@gmail.com

Adult Book Club in Graiguenamanagh Library
meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 7.00 pm. New members are always welcome.

Ciorcal Comhrá Gaeilge / Irish Conversation Group in Graiguenamanagh Library
Every Wednesday, 11.00am – 12.00pm If you’re looking to use your cúpla focal, this is a great group to meet up with. It’s open to all levels of fluency — beginners, improvers, and advanced speakers are all welcome. Just drop in any Wednesday agus beidh fáilte romhat!

Crafty Crew in Graiguenamanagh Library
Every Wednesday from 10.00am – 12.00pm Enjoy meeting up with like minded crafters? Drop into the library any Wednesday morning to share tips, have a chat, and enjoy a cuppa while you work on your projects. All are welcome — no booking required.

Word Searches & Sudoku in Graiguenamanagh Library
Every Friday from 11.30am–12.30pm Drop into the library for an hour of quiet time and enjoy our weekly word searches and sudoku. A lovely way to unwind at the end of the week.

Film & Book Club in Graiguenamanagh Library
meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 6.00 pm.

Age Friendly resources available at Graiguenamanagh Library
include hearing loops, magnifiers, C Pens, and a book trolley for use within the library.
Reading glasses If you forget your glasses, fear not — we have a selection of reading glasses available to use in the library.

If you would like a PDF version of the newsletter, please click HERE

• This Newsletter is prepared and circulated by Age Friendly Ireland
• The Newsletter is published weekly, every Friday
• If you wish to provide information that may be included in the Newsletter please email it to: agefriendlyireland@meathcoco.ie no later than midday on the Thursday. Age Friendly Ireland retains full editorial responsibility for content of the Newsletter.

Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service, Meath County Council

Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service Office
Telephone: 046 9032170
Email: agefriendlyireland@meathcoco.ie

Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme (Referrals)
Telephone: 046 9248899
Email: healthyagefriendlyhomes@meathcoco.ie

HSE Advice Line: Call save 1850 24 1850
Call from 8am – 8pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday

This email was sent to sinead.mcverry@louthcoco.ie.
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