Introduction

Each local authority has an Age Friendly Programme Manager. In Longford this role is assigned to County Librarian Martina Needham. The Programme Manager and the Age Friendly team are responsible for co-ordinating all age friendly activity within the local authority and with the partners on the Alliance. The Programme Manager takes a lead role in development and overseeing the implementation of the local Age friendly Strategy. They also work closely with the local Older People’s Council to ensure that older people are active as co-design partners in any local projects and initiatives being rolled out. 

National Recognition Ceremony for Age Friendly Public Libraries in Ireland February 2024 at Edgeworthstown Library

Longford Age Friendly Programme were delighted to be the host venue for the National Recognition Ceremony for Age Friendly Public Libraries in Ireland held in February 2025 at Edgeworthstown Library. The awards were presented by Minister Health Humphreys to County Librarians of all Public Library authorities in Ireland. 

The Age Friendly Library Recognition Programme supports libraries to examine their facilities and services and to listen to older customers. This recognition programme is managed by Age Friendly Ireland, a local government shared service hosted by Meath County Council.   

The Age Friendly Libraries have delivered multiple, varied actions to respond directly to their consultation with older people. These actions have included: 

• Walkability audits of the buildings– older volunteers undertake the walkability audit, to identify what changes can be made. 
• Age Friendly Parking 
• Special trollies for customers to transport heavy books to the counter.  
• Meeting space for older people’s groups, including Older People’s Councils 
• Accessibility improvements such as automatic doors, and seating that is suitable for older people, and accessible shelving so books are at eye levels. 
• Better signage, including changing the size of the clock in one library to make it more visible.  

Musical Memories Project

This project aimed to capture and share the personal stories of Longford musicians and the impact of music on their lives. It was a creative collaboration between CO: WORX Edgeworthstown, Creative Ireland, Longford Libraries and Age Friendly. It is funded by Creative Ireland, Longford and led by CO: WORX.  

The aim was to create a digital archive of Longford musicians from across the county. The project features Sean Marshall (flute), Jimmy Whelan (accordion), Mary Brady (fiddle), Noel Sweeney (fiddle and saxophone), Olive Kilbane (fiddle and singing), Bernardine Farrelly (harp), Michael Owens (guitar), and Brendan Daly (keyboards).  

Jimmy Connell from the Jimmy Jests interviewed each musician, while Lee Williamson from Shuttermanic Productions filmed the event and music sessions. Clare Frances Photography captured portraits of the musicians with their instruments. It concluded with an impromptu ceilí. On the 18^th of June, friends and families of the musicians gathered at Edgeworthstown Library to watch the short film ‘Musical Memories – Echoes from Longford April 2024’. Longford County Council Chief Executive Paddy Mahon presented each participant with their portrait and a copy of the video. The evening was filled with lively music and community spirit. 

“Move Well for Balance” Exercise Classes

“Move Well for Balance Exercise Classes is a collaboration with Longford Physical Activity for Health Officer, Age Friendly Programme and Longford Sports Partnership. This modified six- week exercise programme to suit those with chronic conditions and older persons which began in 2024 are running at full capacity with attendees enjoying both the health and social interaction benefits of the programme. This programme was shortlisted for a National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Award in the Active and Healthy Ageing Category  in 2024 with Longford OPC Chair Kitty Burkhill attending the Awards with members of Longford Age Friendly and Longford Sports Partnership Teams. Ireland’s National Public Libraries were also honoured on the night with the Judge’s Special Recognition Award, acknowledging the exceptional dedication of library staff nationwide. The judges highlighted how library teams go above and beyond to create welcoming, accessible, and relevant services tailored to the diverse and evolving needs of older people. Public libraries have also played a vital role in facilitating the rollout of many initiatives recognised in this year’s awards, underscoring their commitment to supporting communities and enhancing the quality of life for older adults across the county. 

Longford Age Friendly Information Day 30^th Sep 2024 

Longford Age Friendly Programme hosted a very successful Information Day in the Longford Arms Hotel recently. Longford County Council Chief Executive and Chair of Longford Age Friendly Alliance Mr Paddy Mahon and Longford Older Person’s Council Chairperson Kitty Burkhill welcomed over one hundred and fifty attendees to the event from all parts of County Longford. There was an EXPO element to the day and   many of our other local community organisations who support older persons within our community were in attendance including, Alone, Alzheimers’ Society of Ireland, Citizen’s Information Centre, Community Gardai, HSE, Longford Community Resources, Longford Local Link, LWETB, and Longford ICA. The morning session focussed on services provided by Longford County Council to support older citizens and included presentations from Regional and Local Age Friendly Healthy Homes Co-ordinators Ann Moran and Caroline Doyle from Libraries staff Nicola Kenneally and Genevieve Montgomery, from Longford County Council Martin Morris from Longford. The annual Information Day for 2025 will take place on Monday 29^th September.  

Strategies

• Outdoor Spaces & Buildings – lighting, seating, pavements, walk areas, signage, planning
• Transportation – access, public transport, convenience, parking, taxis, rural transport schemes, multi sector collaboration
• Housing – affordable housing, universal design, lifetime adaptability
• Social Participation – information, social capital, variety & range of events, easily accessible
• Respect & Social Inclusion – Consultation, visibility, changing attitudes, intergenerational programmes through education & sport
• Civic Participation & Employment – Volunteering, Use of resources, Mentoring programmes, post-retirement employment & training
• Communication & Information – Access to Information, age friendly design, communication methods, promoting daily interaction
• Community Support & Health Services – Community & Home Based Health & Social Care, Co-ordination of service delivery, quality of care for all, access to adequate health care

Contacts