'Improved access': Major physical activity funding announced for 20 Longford groups

Age & Opportunity has announced €5,340 in grants to support sport and physical activity for 20 groups in Longford today.

The Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme, funded by Sport Ireland, will assist over 1,000 clubs, groups and organisations across the country to the tune of €300,000 in grants this year.

The funding recipients announced under the 2026 scheme include Family Carers, Men’s and Women’s Sheds, ICA’s, Active Retirement Groups, Physical Activity Leaders (PALs) and other social, sporting and community associations.

The list of successful organisations in Longford include Newtownforbes ICA Guild, Lanesborough ICA, Rath Mhuire & Dolmen Services, Lus na Gréine FRC, Bunlahy Area Action Group, Ballymacormack ICA, Rath Mhuire Men's Club, Legan ICA Guild, Ballinamuck ICA, Ennybegs ICA, The Harry Farrell Over 55's Badminton Club and Laurel Lodge Nursing Home.

Other organisations set to benefit are Longford Town ICA Guild, Newtownforbes Senior Citizens Club/ARA, Ballymahon ICA, Edgeworthstown District Development Association CLG, Kenagh ICA, Failte Active Age Ladies Retirement Group, Coolamber ICA Guild and Longford Ramblers and Hikers.

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Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD said, "The Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme drives participation among older people in recreational sport.

"Staying active as we age has proven physical and mental health benefits and as such, I am pleased to announce the distribution of €300,000 in funding from my Department today."

"The Government is committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity, regardless of age or ability and with the overall aim of increasing participation among the population to 50% by 2027.

"These grants will help fund activities, secure essential equipment and support events that bring older people together in a sports setting.”

Over 20,000 grants to the tune of almost €8.5 million have been awarded since the inception of the Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme in 2001.

Every year, circa 34,000 older people take part in physical activity funded through the scheme.

Grant funding for 2026 will support the rollout of activities such as pickleball, dancing, walking, cycling, table tennis, walking football, yoga and much more.

The financial support will enable organisations to purchase sports equipment and host active initiatives and events for older people.

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Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, Charlie McConalogue said: “This Scheme supports local clubs, groups and organisations in growing participation in sport and physical activity among older people.

"Over 1,000 groups will directly benefit from today’s announcement which will have a positive impact across the country in terms of providing older people with more opportunities to exercise.

"We know that participation levels among this cohort continues to increase so we need to ensure that we are catering for people of all ages. The allocated grants will enable organisations to adapt and tailor activities for older people.”

Sport Ireland CEO, Dr Úna May said: "We are delighted to work with Age & Opportunity to deliver grants to groups across the country who are looking to get more older people, more active.

"The allocation of the funding across a diverse range of activities, groups and communities reflects our commitment to ensuring that people of all ages are valued in sport.

"It is important that we have a diverse sporting landscape and increasing participation among older people is a key driver in making that happen.

"Sport Ireland’s Local Sports Partnerships are helping people to get active and removing barriers to sport and physical activity, and these partnerships work hand in hand with the Age & Opportunity Active Programme and National Active Grant Scheme.”

Sue Guildea, Active Programme Manager at Age & Opportunity said: "Once again we have seen an incredible response to the grant scheme with applications coming in from across the country.

"Older age should be a time of opportunity and through this grant scheme, older people have improved access to recreational sport and targeted opportunities to engage in physical activity."

Ms Gildea said the 2026 funding allocation will support physical activity initiatives aimed at family carers and those in care settings, as well as sport clubs and community groups who specifically target members who are over the age of 50.

"Table tennis, pétanque and ever popular sports like walking football and pickleball all benefit from this funding, helping to increase participation rates nationally.

"A third of this grant is going to areas of disadvantage and 60% is funding physical activities and sport in active retirement and other older adult groups. Each year we see the rise in applications from both Men’s and Women’s Sheds who can access this funding to add physical activities to their own programmes.”

The National Active Grant Scheme is part of Age & Opportunity’s Active programme, funded by Sport Ireland, and delivered nationwide with the support of the HSE and Local Sports Partnerships and other local agencies.