Carlow, 1st October 2025 – Over 250 people gathered today at the Woodford Dolmen Hotel for the Living Well Expo 2025, a vibrant and inspiring event celebrating Positive Ageing Week in County Carlow. Hosted by Age Friendly Carlow and the Carlow Older People’s Council, the Expo brought together older people, service providers, and community leaders to promote healthy, connected, and age friendly living.
The morning featured a dynamic programme of guest speakers including Niall Ronan on “Positive Ageing and Purpose,” Dr Joseph Tierney on “Rethinking and Reimagining Ageing,” and a practical session from Carlow Emergency Services on winter preparedness. Attendees also availed of free health checks and met with local service providers.
Speaking after the event, Cathaoirleach Cllr Ken Murnane said:
“The Living Well Expo is a shining example of how Carlow continues to lead in creating inclusive, supportive communities for older people. Today’s turnout reflects the strength of our partnerships and the value our citizens place on ageing well.”
Joe Butler, Chairperson of the Carlow Older People’s Council, added:
“This Expo is more than an event—it’s a celebration of the voices, experiences, and contributions of older people in Carlow. We are proud to see such strong engagement and look forward to building on this momentum.”
Martha Jane Duggan, Age Friendly Carlow Programme Manager, noted:
“The success of today’s Expo highlights the importance of collaboration across sectors. From health checks to service mapping, we are working together to ensure older people in Carlow have access to the supports they need to live well and age positively.”
The event also marked the launch of the Vulnerable Older People Register, a new initiative aimed at enhancing safety and service coordination for older people across the county. This register helps the County Council identify and support individuals who may need extra assistance during emergencies.
The Living Well Expo was delivered in partnership with Carlow County Development Partnership and Healthy Carlow and is part of a wider programme of activities organised by the Older People’s Council and the age Friendly team.
For more information on the Vulnerable Older Person register or to find out about upcoming events, contact Age Friendly Carlow at:
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059 9136207 / 087 214 5262
