30 June 2026, Dublin: Age Friendly Ireland, the national body supporting Ireland’s 31 Local Authorities to deliver the Government’s vision of an Age Friendly Ireland, and IPB Insurance, Ireland’s only indigenous mutual insurance company founded by and for local authorities and public bodies, have today marked their long-standing partnership, celebrating a shared commitment to supporting local authorities, older people and more Age Friendly communities across Ireland.
The partnership reflects a natural alignment between Age Friendly Ireland’s local government-led model and IPB Insurance’s role as Ireland’s local government mutual insurer. IPB Insurance has backed Age Friendly Ireland nationwide for a number of years and has been a significant supporter of the flagship National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards, which celebrate the individuals, organisations, local authorities and community initiatives working to improve the lives of older people across the country.
The partnership is being marked in 2026 as IPB Insurance celebrates its centenary year and the National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards mark a 10-year milestone.
Ireland first began its Age Friendly journey in 2009, and the programme was strengthened significantly in 2017 when Age Friendly Ireland became an official local government Shared Service hosted by Meath County Council. This has enabled the national programme to support and guide all 31 local authority-led Age Friendly Programmes across Ireland.
The Meath Age Friendly County Initiative, launched in 2011, played an important role in this development, helping to demonstrate how local authority leadership, partnership with older people and multi-agency collaboration could improve the way communities plan for ageing. Since then, the Age Friendly model has grown into a national programme, supporting practical change across housing, transport, public spaces, services, community participation and wellbeing.
Kieran Kehoe, Chief Executive, Meath County Council, said: “This year marks the 10th anniversary of the National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards, and the calibre of Age Friendly projects remains exceptional. Year on year, I am highly impressed by the creativity, innovation and collaboration demonstrated across Ireland. In addition, this year we also celebrate our partnership with IPB as the principal sponsor to our Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards. 2026 is the centenary anniversary of IPB Insurance so this is a milestone celebratory event for both our organisations. This partnership and the awards ceremony are a testament to the long-standing collaboration that Age Friendly Ireland continues to have with IPB Insurance where we recognise the work of everyone, from our local government colleagues, community & voluntary organisations, older people, statutory organisations, the business community and others, across Ireland who work tirelessly to support older people in their communities. The awards showcase the amazing initiatives that are producing demonstrable outcomes for us all as we age and underpins our designation as the 1st Age Friendly Country in the world by the World Health Organisation”
John Kearns, CEO of IPB Insurance, said: “As Ireland’s local government mutual insurer, our partnership with Age Friendly Ireland reflects a shared purpose, supporting initiatives that strengthen communities and deliver meaningful impact for people across the country.”
“Local authorities are at the heart of creating safe, inclusive and connected communities, and the Age Friendly Ireland model shows what can be achieved when local leadership, national coordination and the voice of older people come together.”
“In IPB Insurance’s centenary year, it is fitting to celebrate a partnership that reflects our mutual ethos and our commitment to supporting local authorities as they plan for Ireland’s changing demographic future.”
The local-to-national approach that shaped the development of Age Friendly Ireland can be seen throughout the organisation’s programmes, particularly in Healthy Age Friendly Homes, which supports older people to live safely and independently in their own homes for longer. Following a pilot phase delivered through local authorities, the programme is now delivered nationwide, with dedicated Local Support Coordinators working across all 31 local authorities.
Through its support of Age Friendly Ireland and the National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards, IPB Insurance is helping to champion practical projects and community-led solutions that support positive ageing, independence and participation.
Age Friendly Ireland is the national body supporting Ireland’s 31 Local Authorities to deliver the Government’s vision of an Age Friendly Ireland. Each local authority leads a dedicated Age Friendly Programme, in partnership with older people, service providers and community stakeholders.
Those wishing to learn more about ageing well in Ireland should contact their local Age Friendly Programme via their local council or visit agefriendlyireland.ie
