Friday, 3rd July 2026
Westmeath County Council was delighted to host a highly successful Age Friendly Midlands Sports Taster Day in collaboration with Laois, Longford, Offaly and Roscommon County Councils at the International Sports Arena in Athlone, located on the campus of Technological University of the Shannon (TUS).
The event brought together representatives from Older People’s Councils and older people’s groups from across the Midlands, including Longford, Laois, Offaly, Roscommon and Westmeath, for a day filled with activity, learning, laughter and new connections.
Minister of State for Older People and Housing, Kieran O’Donnell, officially opened the event and warmly welcomed attendees.
Participants enjoyed a packed programme of activities including movement-to-music, Go for Life games, activator poles, walking football, seated yoga, Tai Chi and STEM sessions. The activities showcased the many ways physical activity can be accessible, enjoyable and inclusive for people of all abilities and interests.
The day also provided a valuable opportunity for attendees to meet new people, share experiences and discover programmes and initiatives that support healthy, active lifestyles as we age. The event concluded on a high note with an energetic Salsa session that had participants smiling and dancing their way through the afternoon.
The Age Friendly Midlands Sports Taster Day reflects the ongoing commitment of local authorities across the region to creating age-friendly communities where older people can remain active, connected and fully involved in community life.
Westmeath County Council would like to extend its sincere thanks to Age Friendly Ireland, partner local authorities, Sports Partnerships, tutors, facilitators, volunteers and, most importantly, the participants whose enthusiasm and energy made the day such a memorable success.
As the event demonstrated, getting older is not about slowing down – it’s about staying active, staying connected and continuing to enjoy life to the fullest.
Minister of State for Older People and Housing, Kieran O’Donnell T.D. said:
“Regular physical activity helps older people maintain their independence, improve their physical and mental wellbeing and reduce social isolation. Events like the Age Friendly Midlands’ Sports Taster Day are a great resource to showcase local initiatives for older people to stay active, try something new and make new connections.
“By creating more opportunities for older people to engage in physical activity, we can better support healthy ageing with independence.
“I wish to commend Westmeath County Council for organising such an enjoyable and worthwhile event. I also want to acknowledge Age Friendly Ireland, Older People’s Councils and Local Sports Partnerships for their work in supporting active and healthy ageing.
