Limerick OPE held meetings on the following dates, 29th February, 25th April, 27th June and on the 19th September a virtual meeting was held with Mayor John Moran
OPE Meet Major John Moran
On Monday 21st October 2024 Mayor Moran welcomed our OPE to his Boardroom in City Hall, Limerick where he outlined some key items from the newly published Mayoral Programme 2024-2029 and held an informal discussion with the Group on issues to continue to make Limerick a model county for growing older.
The Age Friendly Limerick Strategic Plan 2024-2028 was launched by Minster Patrick O’Donovan on the 29th April at the Castletroy Park Hotel.
The Age Friendly Alliance met on the 12th September in the Dooradoyle Council Chamber to discuss ongoing Age Friendly activities and determine objectives to collaborate on in the near future.
The Age Friendly Ireland Convention
This year’s theme was ‘Ageing with Independence’
The National Older Peoples Council Convention brings the Older People’s Councils together from all across Ireland giving them an opportunity to discuss topics, network and learn from each other. The benefit of the Convention is to contribute to the work of the Older People’s Council. The two day convention started on Thursday 9th May and concluded on Friday 10th May and was held at the Kilkenny Ormond Hotel.
Croom FRC – Members of the Age Friendly team were delighted to attend the Croom FRC Annual Summer BBQ on Wednesday 19th June.
Donations of Lenovo Tablets
In July 2024, Age Friendly Limerick in partnership with the Broadband Officer of LCCC donated a number of Lenovo tablets to various initiatives around the City & County for the benefit of older people.
- Cappamore Community Centre/St Michaels Day Care Centre received some and were delighted with the donation. The Centre Manager there uses digital services in such an innovative way on a daily basis with the service users.
- The Mart in Abbeyfeale benefitted from a donation also. Farmers can use the tablets to go online and view sales at other marts around the County. This served to increase digital usage in the older farming community. The mart is a centralised meeting place and aids in combatting loneliness, stress levels and depression in the farming community.
- Coolcappa Community were also delighted to receive a tablet. They advertised the tablet in their local newsletter and it is being used by older people in the community for ad-hoc tasks such as taxing their car online etc.
Dementia Bus Tour
On the 17th October, Age Friendly Limerick welcomed the Dementia Bus Tour to Merchants Quay. This tour offers a life-changing experience through mobile simulators. Developed 25 years ago by Professor PK Beville, it allows participants to understand dementia by simulating its effects.
Age Friendly Grant Funding
Throughout 2024 Age Friendly provided grant funding for the following projects – Healthy Limerick – Not Around Us Campaign, Limerick Sports Partnership to assist towards Positive Ageing Week and St Munchin’s Community Centre in respect of their new Care & Repair Scheme.
Age Friendly Ireland Achievement and Recognition Awards
A number of initiatives from Limerick were submitted to the Age Friendly Ireland Achievement and Recognition Awards. “Think Before you Park” – Limerick City & County Council in partnership with, Step Forward Disability Group, IWA Limerick, MS Limerick, Disability Advocacy and An Garda Siochana was shortlisted for the awards. The ceremony took place in Dublin on the 7th November 2024.
Pride of Place
Dromcollogher Respite & Care Centre and Housing for Older Persons took the runner up spot in the Age Friendly Communities Category having been nominated by Limerick City & County Council.
St Munchin’s Halloween Party
Members of the Age Friendly team were delighted to attend the Halloween Party at St Munchin’s Community Centre Wednesday 30th October.
Walkability Audit – Rathkeale Town Centre First
Age Friendly Limerick OPE members also participated in a walkability audit of Rathkeale Town on the 10th July in association with the Town Centre First team of Limerick City & County Council. This Audit will be used to capture the existing conditions of specific walking routes in Rathkeale, in terms of walkability and to inform the preparation of the Town Centre First Plan for the town.
Walkability Audit – Colbert Age Friendly Bus & Train Station
Age Friendly Limerick in collaboration with Iarnrod Eireann and Bus Eireann undertook a walkability audit of Colbert Station on the 13th September. The walkability audit of Colbert Bus & Rail Station will be used to inform the process of the station obtaining Age Friendly status under the WHO Charter. Members of Step Forward Disability Group, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Irish Wheelchair Association and a number of visually impaired Limerick residents also took part in the walkability audit.
Property Marking Events
A number of property marking events have taken place throughout 2024 in collaboration with An Garda Síochána namely:
- Dromcollogher Harvest Fair & Vintage Rally – 19th May 2024
- Ballingarry Community Event – 29th June 2024
- Roxboro Community Event – 12th September 2024
We also have an ongoing arrangement with Doras Luimní in relation to the lending of these Property Marking Machines to assist with marking bicycles which are then given to Ukrainian beneficiaries.
Askeaton Active Retirement
Age Friendly Limerick were delighted to assist in the establishment of an exciting new Active Retirement Group in Askeaton on the 18th April. The group meets every Thursday at 11 am, where members gather at the local Community Centre to engage in various activities and foster new connections.
Older Persons Reference Group On the 10th October, members of the Limerick Older Persons Reference Group met with the National Ambulance Service to contribute their views towards making their service more Age Friendly.
NGO Networking Day This was held in The Ashling Hotel, Dublin on the 9th October 2024 and the event hosted some wonderful speakers. This event encourages information sharing and collaboration between Age Friendly Programme Managers and NGOs in the ageing sector.
The Limerick 50 Plus Show On the 5th & 6th of November 2024 Age Friendly Limerick were delighted to attend The Limerick 50 Plus Show.
This show was very well attended and provided a great opportunity to increase our public profile. It was also an ideal opportunity to gather expressions of interest from people wishing to join our Older People’s Executive.
The 50 Plus Show is designed to be an informative, educational and upbeat event for people who are over 50.
We prepared a leaflet and booklet showcasing the programme’s achievements and giving a short description of our events held this year.
St Joseph’s Parish Senior Christmas Party
This was held in St Joseph’s Parish on Sunday, 1st November & Age Friendly Limerick were delighted to be asked to provide some merchandise for the attendees on the day.
UL Age Friendly University Launch on 06th December
Age Friendly Limerick AGM on 09th December