“We Should be Adding Life to Years Over Years to Life” – Professor Ronan Collins
8 May 2025: Over 200 older people from across Ireland are gathering in Tallaght, for the 2025 Age Friendly Ireland National Older People’s Councils (OPCs) Convention. This year’s event places a national spotlight on preventive over reactive healthcare, brain health, and intergenerational solidarity as keys to ageing well.
A key highlight will be a personal fireside conversation between Brendan Courtney, the Convention’s MC and broadcaster; and Professor Ronan Collins, Age Friendly South Dublin Ambassador, Consultant in Geriatric & Stroke medicine and current RCPI National Clinical Lead for Stroke. Professor Collins will reflect with Brendan on their shared experiences and discuss the urgent need for earlier intervention, community awareness, and open conversations between generations on healthy ageing. This year’s Convention theme — The Wisdom of Years: A Lifetime of Perspective — was shaped through consultations with older people across Ireland on the issues that matter most to them.
Speaking on the theme of this year’s event, Professor Ronan Collins said: “Intergenerational solidarity is what’s required for us to age well as a nation. This means equipping younger generations with the knowledge and tools to age well and to play a supportive role in enabling healthy ageing across society. This national convention of OPCs is an opportunity for older people to ensure their voices are being heard, so that they can add life to years over just years to life!”
Brendan Courtney said: “This event is incredibly meaningful to me. Professor Collins cared for family members of mine after they suffered strokes, and that experience changed how I see ageing and health forever. We need to have more real, honest conversations — across all generations — about what it means to age well. Prevention isn’t just medical; it’s also about awareness, planning, and support. We can’t be afraid to have what some might call the tough conversations. This is why I’m proud to MC at this Convention, which is putting these issues front and centre.”
Spanning two days at the Maldron Hotel in Tallaght, the Convention features keynote addresses from national and local leaders, including Minister of State for Older People and Housing, Kieran O’Donnell TD, alongside policy updates, expert panels, and interactive workshops. Highlights include a national update from Age Friendly Ireland, a panel discussion featuring leaders in health, insurance, and the arts, and a series of field-based activities such as a local housing site visit to The Weir, which is centred on high-quality living environment for older residents; a walkability audit at Tallaght Stadium; and active ageing classes. The programme also includes a panel discussion moderated by Catherine McGuigan, with participants including Colm Ward (Chief Executive, South Dublin County Council); Dr Graham Hughes (National Clinical Programme for Older People); Moyagh Murdoch (CEO, Insurance Ireland), and Mike Hanrahan, musician, member of band Stocktan’s Wing and Clare Age Friendly Ambassador.
Hosted by South Dublin County Council in partnership with Age Friendly Ireland, the Convention plays a key role in shaping Age Friendly planning across the country, which is coordinated nationally by Age Friendly Ireland, the national body for Ireland’s 31 Local Authorities, delivering the Government’s vision of an Age Friendly Ireland.
Mary Lyons, Chair of the local South Dublin Older People’s Council, added: “We have heard at the convention this year that ageing well is not about adding years to life, it’s about adding life to years and through our local OPC, we share the wisdom of our years with the next generation. With this in mind, I would urge everyone to join their local OPC to ensure they have a say in the policy decisions being made for their future of ageing well. This is where your voice can be heard and where your experiences shape the services and policies that affect your daily life. Join us by visiting www.agefriendlyireland.ie or contacting your local authority.”
Speaking at the event, Colm Ward, Chief Executive, South Dublin County Council said: “We’re proud to host this year’s Older People’s Council Convention, which highlights the vital role older people play in shaping our communities. This event reflects our commitment to building an inclusive, age-friendly society where prevention, participation, and intergenerational support are central to how we plan for the future.”
Catherine McGuigan, Chief Executive, Age Friendly Ireland added: “The National Convention for OPCs continues to serve as a key moment in the Age Friendly Ireland calendar — fostering a culture of respect, inclusion, and shared responsibility in our ageing society. This is all about learning from those who’ve lived it. The collective experience is a national asset, and this Convention is an opportunity to turn that wisdom into action.”
For more information or to find out how to join your local Older People’s Council, visit www.agefriendlyireland.ie or contact your local authority.
