OPC Convention 2024

• Date: 9th and 10th May 2024
• Host: Kilkenny County Council
• Venue: Ormonde Hotel, Kilkenny, Co.Kilkenny
• Theme: Ageing with Independance

Speakers Day 1

• Philip Hogan, CEO of Cliffrun Media, a Dublin-based technology company specialising in technology solutions for older individuals such as the ACORN Age-Friendly Smart Tablet, demonstrated technology that supports ageing.
• Catherine McGuigan, Chief Officer, Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service, giving an Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service National Update
• Lorna King, Clinical Specialist Dietitian for Older People

Panel Discussion Day 2

• Aine Flynn, Director of the Decision Support Service
• Mark Harrington, National Manager, Healthy Age Friendly Homes.
• Garret Doocey, Assistant Secretary from the Department of Transport with responsibility for Land Transport, Investment and Public Transport Policy, all discussed transport supports such as the travel assistance scheme, JAM card, Wayfinding centre and accessibility improvements to bus shelters, buses, age-friendly car parking and Age Friendly train stations.
• Diarmuid Angland, a Department of Finance specialist, who is leading the development of a National Payments Strategy, outlined the meaning of digital inclusion and the implications of a cashless society.

Workshops

Kilkenny Castle	Kilkenny Castle was once the principal residence of one of the most powerful families in Ireland and is of exceptional historical significance for its role in Irish political and cultural history. Standing on a strategic height, Kilkenny Castle was built by William Marshal, 4th Earl of Pembroke in the 12th Century to command the crossing of the River Nore. In the 14th Century Kilkenny Castle became the principal Irish residence of the Butler Family, Earl, Marquess and Dukes of Ormonde for almost 600 years. Today visitors can experience the exuberant spirit of the Victorian age, faithfully brought back to life in the restored Period Rooms of Kilkenny Castle. The Castle Park includes a 21 hectares of walled demesne parkland to the south and a formal terraced Rose Garden to the north. The estate overlooks the Nore River and features mature trees and shrubs with an ornamental lake and a children’s playground. Kilkenny is a vibrant and compact city which hosts a number of renowned festivals each year. A variety of events such as concerts, art exhibitions, talks, workshops and street theatre are held throughout the year in the Castle and Park.
Shenanigans Walking Tour of Kilkenny	Award winning Shenanigans Walks brings an exciting modern twist on traditional tours and is an Age Friendly Tour. A unique blend of history, stories, Irish colloquial sayings origins, humorous anecdotes interspersed with magic effects. Voted TripAdvisor Traveller choice Award winner as the Best thing to do in Ireland 2021 and included in their top 1% worldwide of things to do. Local expert guides lead a fun, informative and engaging adventure while tracing the footsteps of The Normans, Monks, Knights, Merchants and an infamous Witch. Weaving a path through the picturesque medieval streets the story unfolds revealing incredible landmarks such as Kilkenny Castle and tales of the Greatest Knight who ever lived and Kilkenny’s infamous Witch Alice. The real Magic is a refreshing blend of history, compelling stories, culture, interesting fun facts, and of course plenty of Shenanigans.
Kilkenny Mayfair Library-Kilkenny’s Age Friendly library	This site tour will showcase the opening of a new, modern, purpose built public library providing 1,700sqm of space for the educational, informational, cultural and community needs of the citizens of Kilkenny City and County. All of Kilkenny County Council Library Branches have been awarded Age Friendly status including the Mayfair library.
The Smithwick’s Experience	The Smithwick’s experience will lead you on a journey through the history of the iconic Irish red ale by a local Kilkenny tour guide, guests are immersed in the story of Smithwick’s told as only a local knows how. The passion of the guides is what makes this experience like no other; combining over 300 years of Smithwick’s history, with the extraordinary brewing innovations that makes it the brand we see today. The visit finishes in the intimate surroundings of the Smithwick’s Experience bar, unequivocally Irish in its setting. Harvested from our land, seasoned by our history, Smithwick’s has been brewed here in Ireland since 1710. Enjoying your favourite Smithwick’s Ale, while one of our local staff explains what makes it so unique, makes this one of the most enjoyable tours in Ireland. There’s no better place to plan your trip around Ireland’s Ancient East than from here in the unforgettable setting of Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile. You will find us in the heart of this beautiful city. We are less than a 10-minute stroll from the iconic Kilkenny Castle and are very proud to be part of Kilkenny’s famous Medieval Mile.
Visit to Ireland’s First Age Friendly Train Station	This tour will take you by a tourist road train to MacDonagh Train Station, Ireland’s First Age Friendly Train Station. Developed through a collaborative effort between Kilkenny County Council, Iarnród Éireann, Age Friendly Ireland and MacDonagh Shopping Centre, this achievement marks a significant milestone in making public transport more accessible and suitable for users across the course of life. MacDonagh Train Station in Kilkenny City was honoured with the prestigious Age Friendly Transport Award at the National Age Friendly Awards ceremony in 2023. The station underwent a comprehensive World Health Organisation four-stage process to secure its Age Friendly status. Following a visit to the train station you will have time for some retail therapy in MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre which is an Age Friendly Shopping Centre
Digital Inclusion – Solution Focused Consultation	This solution focused consultation workshop will look at problems faced by non-digital service users when attempting to access a range of everyday services, e.g. booking a seat on the bus or train, tickets to events, card only payments, online shopping and fraud. We will have a representative from the Department of Finance on the speakers panel Friday morning. He will provide information on the development of the new National Payments Strategy which aims to address issues around digital payments. The aim of this consultation workshop is to examine the digital inclusion issues facing older people and agree solutions to present to the panel on Friday. If this is an area that interests you, we would invite you to participate in the workshop to help inform the panel discussion on Friday.
Minding your Wellbeing	Minding your Wellbeing Self Care Workshop will support participants to care for their own mental health and wellbeing and to build good self-care practices for every day. Ann Bray will present this workshop. Ann is the Health Promotion and Improvement Officer, with the Health and Wellbeing Department, HSE for the Kilkenny and Carlow area. Ann has over 20 years’ experience in healthcare and is a Registered General Nurse which has allowed her have many opportunities to work with the general population including older adults promoting health and wellbeing and with a remit for positive ageing. Ann has a particular interest in the promotion of positive well-being and mental health with an enthusiasm to support individuals to live their best life.