Award-winning musician and songwriter, John Spillane, has been named Cork’s new Age Friendly Ambassador, the Cork City Age Friendly Programme has announced.
The voluntary role is designed to raise awareness of age friendly practices supporting our aging population, both locally and nationally.
Mr Spillane will take up the role which was formerly held by John Mullins, who sadly passed away suddenly earlier this year.
Chief Executive of Cork City Council, Valerie O’Sullivan said:
“We are honoured to welcome John Spillane as the new Age Friendly Ambassador for Cork City, a position previously carried out with great dedication by the late John Mullins.
The sad passing of Mr. Mullins leaves a wonderful legacy, upon which we know that Mr. Spillane will build as he now takes up the mantle.
Cork City and its people who engage with and enjoy the Age Friendly programme will benefit hugely from John’s involvement. We are very grateful that he has accepted this voluntary role, to which, we know, he will bring his own unique contribution and we very much look forward to working with him in the years ahead.”
Age Friendly Ambassadors take action to help raise awareness and spread the ‘age friendly’ message to others.
Mr Spillane, a Cork native, brings a passion for representing his native city to the role.
He will represent Cork nationally at Age Friendly Ireland events alongside 30 other national figures from across the cultural, business and sporting spheres, all supporting our shared positive ageing messages.
He has a long-standing commitment to Cork and its people, making him a valuable advocate for inclusive community policies that ensure our older voices are heard.
Mr Spillane said: “I was honoured to be asked to represent the Age Friendly Programme on behalf of the people of Cork.
“I look forward to promoting positive aging initiatives in Cork.
“There are almost 30,000 people aged over 65 living in Cork City and it’s essential that we spread the ‘age friendly’ message to ensure that Cork remains a great place to grow old in.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) leads significant initiatives in this area and since its inception, Age Friendly Ireland, a shared service of local government, champions the needs of older people, educating the wider population on the pressing need to adjust our services, attitudes and environments to cater for Ireland’s aging population.
Actions include promoting health, enhancing accessibility, ensuring safety, and fostering social inclusion to enable older people to remain active and engaged in their communities.
Mr Spillane is an award-winning singer, songwriter, poet and performer.
His work is rooted in people, place and story, captivating audiences around the world, and his love for the Irish language and the Irish lyrical tradition permeates his music and his performances.
He was honoured as a recipient of the Lord Mayor’s Cultural Award in May 2025, and his acclaimed folk opera ‘Fíoruisce – The Legend of the Lough’ won the RTÉ Folk Album of the Year award in 2025
To find out more on the Age Friendly Programme in Cork City go to:
www.corkcity.ie/en/council-services/services/community/age-friendly/
