The call for submissions to the 2024 National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement awards went live on Monday the 27th of May 2024. By the closing date of the 12th of July, we had received 176 applications.
Members of the independent judging panel for 2024 were Peter Hynes, former Chief Executive of Mayo County Council, Jackie Maguire former Chief Executive of Meath County Council, Madeleine Quirke, former CEO of Wexford Chamber of Commerce and Barry O’Brien a former Assistant Commissioner for An Garda Síochána. After long deliberations the shortlisting process was completed and the following 30 projects were chosen:
| Category | Shortlisted Projects |
| Age Friendly Transport Award Sponsored by the Department of Transport Getting to where you want to go when you want to go is so important to so many older people. This category recognises the vital difference that access to good quality and reliable transport options can make to an older person. | Community Transport Ennis Branch – Irish Red Cross Clare Area Think Before you Park Limerick County Council in partnership with, Step Forward Disability Group, IWA Limerick, MS Limerick, Disability Advocacy and An Garda Siochana. Cnoc (Inverin) and Casla Bus Shelters, Conamara Roads & Infrastructure Unit, Galway County Council |
| Age Friendly Active & Healthy Ageing Award Sponsored by the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE) We are living for longer but remaining healthy and active in later years can be a real challenge. This award recognises those initiatives that optimise opportunities for good health in later years, so that older people can continue to play an active role in community life. | Valentine’s Vitality Age Friendly Mayo & Sláintecare Healthy Committees Rosemount GAA Social Initiative Rosemount GAA Creative Generations Intergenerational Learning at Atlantic Technological University Sligo Fall Prevention Classes Longford Sports Partnership, Longford Libraries, Age Friendly Longford and Sláintecare HSE Fit Farmers Roscommon Sports Partnership, Age Friendly Roscommon, Healthy Roscommon |
| Age Friendly Business Innovation Award Sponsored by Chambers Ireland We know that creating an enjoyable and accessible environment for older consumers pays dividends for businesses. Here we recognize initiatives that strive to improve the environment for older people as consumers. | Life Credit Union Age Friendly Recognition Programme Financial inclusion for older members The Alzheimer Society of Ireland and Mahon Point Shopping Centre Irelands first dementia inclusive shopping centre Age Friendly Care from eir Eir – In partnership with Age Friendly Ireland and Age Action |
| Age Friendly Safety & Security Award Sponsored by An Garda Siochana Feeling safe and secure at home and when out and about greatly enhances the lives of older people. This category acknowledges the impact of community-based responses that enable older people to feel secure in their homes and in the wider community, and to know what to do when they don’t. | Halloween Safety Door Hanger Initiative An Garda Síochána – Tralee Community Policing Unit Wolfe Tone Square Community Integration North Inner City Local Community Safety Partnership Dublin The Herbert Protocol An Garda Síochána |
| Age Friendly Communication Award Sponsored by An Post A lack of access to information is often cited as a barrier to “ageing well” in Ireland. The ability to access clear and concise information can impact on a range of an older person’s life, from health and wellbeing to social connectedness to financial security. This award recognises efforts being made around the country to bridge the information gap. | Directory of health and social care services for older people HSE in collaboration with other state agencies Live Well – A Health and Wellbeing Information Event Healthy Laois and Age Friendly Laois End of Life Planning – Getting People Talking Irish Hospice Foundation Merging into the Sunlight – Upskilling volunteers in mentoring callers to resume life after Covid Senior Line |
| Age Friendly Environment Award Sponsored by the Centre for Excellence In Universal Design The built environment has a unique impact on the lives of all older people. Simple things like adequate public seating, level footpaths and appropriate crossing times at pedestrian crossings all have a huge impact on the ability of older people to be active in their towns and villages. The category recognises projects that bring about change in the built physical environment with older people in mind. | Ballymore Eustace Age Friendly Climate Friendly Village Kildare County Council Ballymore Eustace Community Development Association Ardee Garden Care & Repair Project Age Friendly Louth, Ardee Tidy Towns, Dee Hub An Garda Siochana Making Wexford’s Beaches Accessible Wexford County Council Creating Age Friendly & Inclusive Beaches in Donegal Donegal County Council & Community Groups |
| Age Friendly Community Innovation Award Sponsored by the Department of Rural & Community Development The voice of the older person is at the heart of the Age Friendly Cities and Counties Programme, the Programme is designed and implemented with them and not for them. This award recognises those innovative projects that are driven by older people for older people. These projects not only enhance the lives of older people but benefit the community at large. | Promoting Intergenerational Practice as a Tool to Empower Older People Fingal County Council Creative Cafes Monaghan County Council Sporting Memories Sláintecare, Wexford County Council, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Wexford GAA Bealtaine Felting Project Offaly Older Person’s Network Ages & Stages Cavan Older People’s Council, Cavan Age Friendly |
| Age Friendly Housing Award Sponsored by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage As people age, they spend more time in their own homes. This means that older people’s quality of life, and thus their health, can depend on the appropriateness of their home environment and the conditions in which they live. This award recognises innovative housing initiatives that enable older people to remain independent for as long as possible. | An Cliathán Sheltered Housing Scheme Galway City Council Clonminch Age Friendly Housing Oaklee, Pat Loftus Construction Group, Brian Dunlop Architects, Nolan Construction Consultants, MPA Consulting Engineers, Delap & Waller, Doyle + O’Troithigh Landscape Architecture and Offaly County Council. Infill Age Friendly Housing, Brady’s Court, Tallaght South Dublin County Council |
Fingal County Council hosted The Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards Ceremony for 2024 on the 7th of November in the beautiful Crowne Plaza, Northwood, Santry, Dublin.
The winners in each category were:
- Age Friendly Transport Award – Sponsored by Department of Transport
Cnoc (Inverin) and Casla Bus Shelters, Connemara, Galway County Council
2. Age Friendly Active & Healthy Ageing Award – sponsored by the Department of Health
Rosemount GAA Social Initiative, Westmeath
3. Age Friendly Business Innovation Award – Sponsored by Chambers Ireland
Age Friendly Care from eir, eir Ireland
Check out the what the winners had to say HERE
4. Age Friendly Safety & Security Award – Sponsored by An Garda Siochana
Halloween Safety Door Hanger Initiative, An Garda Síochána, Kerry
Check out the what the winners had to say HERE
5. Age Friendly Communication Award – Sponsored by An Post
Development and Publication of a Directory of Health and Social Care Services for Older People, HSE with Laois County Council and Offaly County Council
6. Age Friendly Environment Award – Sponsored by Centre of Excellence in universal Design at NDA
Joint winners of this award were: Ballymore Eustace, Age Friendly Climate Friendly Village, Kildare County Council; and Creating Age Friendly & Inclusive Beach Access in Donegal, Donegal County Council & Community Groups
Check out the what the winners had to say HERE
Check out the what the winners had to say HERE
7. Age Friendly Community Innovation Award – sponsored by An Post
Development and Publication of a Directory of Health and Social Care Services for Older People, HSE with Laois County Council and Offaly County Council
8. Age Friendly Housing Award – Sponsored by Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Infill Age Friendly Housing, Brady’s Court, South Dublin County Council
Check out the what the winners had to say HERE
9. Judges Special Recognition Award – Sponsored by IPB Insurance
Ireland’s National Public Libraries were also honoured on the night with the Judge’s Special Recognition Award, acknowledging the exceptional dedication of library staff nationwide. The judges highlighted how library teams go above and beyond to create welcoming, accessible, and relevant services tailored to the diverse and evolving needs of older people.
Public libraries have also played a vital role in facilitating the rollout of many initiatives recognised in this year’s awards, underscoring their commitment to supporting communities and enhancing the quality of life for older adults across the country.
To view The Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards 2024 full brochure, please click here.
Some pictures of the awards ceremony:
