OPC Convention 2026

• Date: 7th and 8th May 2025
• Host: Westmeath County Council
• Venue: Sheraton Hotel, Athlone, Co. Westmeath
• Theme: Thriving Together, Age Friendly Sustainable Communities

Speakers Day 1

• Patricia Whelehan, Assistant National Director, Older Person Services, National Office Access and Integration, HSE
• Emer Coveney, National Programme Manager, Age Friendly Ireland
• Fireside Chat with David Conway, Chief Executive Louth County Council,  Blaithin Moran, Chief Superintendent An Garda Sióchana and Anne Drury, Chair of Westmeath OPC

Speakers Day 2

• Kieran O’Donnell TD, Minister of State at the Department of Health and at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Panel Discussion Day 2

• Emer Coveney (facilitator) | Panel Discussion (Panel of Supports)
• David Kelly, Assistant Secretary General, Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage
• Declan Meally, Director of Business, Public Sector and Transport, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI)
• Sylvia Smith, Acting Development Manager with Westmeath Citizens Information Service
• Eileen Murphy, Central Statistics Office

Workshops

Viking Tours Ireland	Cruise the Majestic River Shannon on a Viking Ship with great character for an experience that is truly unique to Athlone and the Midlands. 2.15pm bus to Viking Boat, 2.30pm Board the Viking Boat. The boat trip will take approximately 80 mins.
Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park, Moate	Take a Journey Through Time with an experienced local guide through a series of reconstructed historical sites that bring ancient Ireland to life. Discover traditional farm machinery, a fisherman’s cottage, a striking sculpture of the mythical god Lugh, and an impressive stone circle. Arrive at Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park, this is an outdoor experience wear comfortable shoes and appropriate clothing. The tour takes 1 hour.
Step Into Age Friendly Design: Exploring Athlone’s Public Realm Together	This dynamic workshop brings participants into the heart of Athlone’s newly refurbished townscape to explore the public realm through an Age Friendly lens. Participants will participate in focused discussions, take part in interactive activities, and move through a series of themed locations along the 1.4km looped route, with four stopping points along the way, including the public library, public facilities and a dedicated stop for rest and refreshments. Each location will highlight a different aspect of Age Friendly design in action. It’s an engaging and energising session with the evidence gathered forming part of the new Age Friendly Outdoor Spaces and Buildings publication.
Athlone Library Tour & Bosca Beo Workshop	The tour of the Aidan Heavey Library in Athlone introduces visitors to its modern facilities, including reading and study areas, computer access, community spaces, and the Sensory Room. It highlights key resources such as books, audiobooks, digital materials, reading aids, online learning tools, and the Library of Things. Bosca Beo is a project designed for those who wish to collect and store their precious memories as a gift to future generations.
Dementia Workshop	My husband Eddie was diagnosed with dementia. We felt our lives just ended. The doctor asked us to fly the flag for modern dementia, to try and help stop the stigma associated with dementia. At first Eddie and I were scared and as scared as I was, I thought to myself, what is it like for him. We told the people we knew in our town and as good as people were, things happened that not only knocked his confidence but upset him. The Alzheimer Society of Ireland had a someone working in Mullingar, Donal Murphy and I did a dementia training courses with him along with another lady from our town, Carol Hayden. I not only did I understood more, but it made me think, what if the whole town was dementia aware. This would not only help dementia clients, families, carers and friends, but it would get people thinking of other people’s requirements, for example Autism or Aspergers. Carol came on board and our journey began. If you would like to start up a Dementia Friendly Community in your town or would like to listen to more of our story, you are more than welcome to attend our workshop at the Age Friendly Conference. Eddie is coming too, so if you have any questions to ask him you may. We’re just ordinary people with no qualifications, who started on a journey, which we will be on for the foreseeable future and would like to see all cities, towns and villages Dementia Aware.
Be Storm Ready Workshop	A friendly and practical Storm Ready workshop for older adults focused on simple steps to stay safe and comfortable during severe weather. Learn how to prepare your home, organise essential supplies, stay connected with others, and access reliable emergency updates.
Personal Downtime Option	If you choose not to participate in the workshops, you may prefer to take some personal time to yourself.
	If you choose not to participate in the workshops, you may prefer to take some personal time to yourself.