Age Friendly Ireland

Check out this weeks' newsletter full of all the latest Age Friendly news and upcoming events😊🩷🧡💛💚💙https://ow.ly/vmG550ZRo1o

Catherine Lenihan, Chair of Kerry Older People’s Council (OPC) and the National Network of OPCs, was delighted to host the Kerry OPC Executive meeting at Knocknagoshel Community Centre on 16th September 2026. The centre is home to Knocknagoshel Over 55s’ Services, which Catherine also chairs. It provides Meals on Wheels as well as a range of social clubs throughout the week. The OPC Executive is looking forward to a busy programme of events over the coming months, including the Regional Age Friendly Sports Taster Day in Limerick on 28th September and the Regional Older Road Users event in Kerry on 5th November.

We’re pleased to continue our longstanding partnership with IPB Insurance for the 2026 National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards.

This year has particular significance as IPB marks its centenary – 100 years working alongside Ireland’s local government sector and the communities at the heart of Age Friendly action.

Hosted by Limerick City and County Council on 8 October, the Awards will recognise practical innovation from across Ireland that is helping older people remain active, connected and independent within their communities.

The Awards are about more than recognising great projects. They provide a national platform to share what works and inspire communities across Ireland to build on successful Age Friendly approaches.

Meath County Council

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is pleased to partner with The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI) through its Friends of ASI programme, and the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Chamber, on a new initiative to help make Dalkey a more age-friendly and dementia-inclusive town.

The initiative was officially launched at Dalkey Castle and Heritage Centre, bringing together local residents, businesses, community organisations and service providers committed to making Dalkey a more age-friendly and dementia-inclusive town. The programme aims to raise awareness and understanding of dementia while encouraging local people, businesses and services to play an active role in creating a welcoming and supportive environment. Through training, education and community engagement, it will help address some of the challenges facing older people and people living with dementia in Dalkey.

This collaborative initiative is led by the Age Friendly Programme in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Friends of ASI and the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Chamber, all of whom share a vision of making Dalkey a place where older people can continue to live independently, participate fully in community life, and remain connected, supported and valued.

You've spent years building skills, knowledge and experience. What if they could become the foundation of your own business?

The 55+ Start Your Own Business Pathway is a practical, supportive programme created for people aged 55 and over who want to explore self-employment, a side business or a new career direction.

Through eight engaging workshops, you'll gain the confidence and tools to turn your ideas into action, learn from experienced speakers, connect with like-minded people and create a clear plan for your future.

📍 THRIVE Centre of Business Excellence (C15 E8KV)
📅 Begins 22 October 2026
⏰ 9.30am - 12.30pm

Because it's never too late to start something new.

Book here: https://www.localenterprise.ie/meath/training-events/online-bookings/55-start-your-own-business-pathway.html

A fantastic start to the new Dementia Café at Shannon Family Resource Centre today supported by Shannon Family Resource Centre, Clare Age Friendly Programme and Clare Branch Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland. It was heartening to see so many people come together for a morning of tea, conversation, support, and connection.

A sincere thank you to everyone who attended, shared stories, and helped create such a welcoming and friendly atmosphere.

This café is a safe and supportive space for people living with dementia, their families, friends, and carers, and we are delighted to have begun this journey together.

We look forward to welcoming you again on 5th October, 11am-1pm.
Together, we are building a more dementia-inclusive community.

The Age Friendly Louth Team were delighted to attend a Community Connect : Together For Hope Event at The Monasterboice Inn, Co Louth organised by Healthy Louth. The event brought together community organisations, charities, agencies and service providers to share information and offer supports and help strengthen connections across Co Louth.

MC for the event was Kenneth Egan Olympic Medallist , who now works in the fields of psychotherapy, mental health, addiction recovery and personal development. Working together can help reduce stigma, encourage conversations, and remind people that support is available and no has to face difficult times alone.

Check out this weeks' newsletter full of all the latest Age Friendly news and upcoming events😊🩷🧡💛💚💙https://agefriendlyireland.ie/news/age-friendly-ireland-newsletter-18th-september-2026/

The Louth Age Friendly team were delighted to attend the Cooley Sheep Breeders Annual Show & Sale on Saturday 5th September in Carlingford.

The sale was a great opportunity to promote Cooley Farming Community Club. This is a community led project aimed at farmers and rural dwellers in the Cooley Peninsula. The project is restarting on Friday 18th September in Cooley Kickhams GFC and the are looking forward to welcoming back their members and would also like to invite new members to join.

If you have a few hours to spare on a Friday morning why not drop in and check out The Cooley Farming Community Club.

Lots of chat, craic and information on farming , community issues and health and well being in the Cooley area.

This project is supported by the HSE, Age Friendly Louth & Louth Local Development.

3 weeks to go until our National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards! 🏆Congratulations again to all of our shortlisted projects. If you would like a recap - check out the Shortlist on our website https://agefriendlyireland.ie/national-age-friendly-recognition-and-achievement-awards/current-year/ 💫