Age Friendly Information Day celebrates community connection and active ageing

Longford County Council through the Age Friendly programme team, together with the Longford Age Friendly Alliance and Longford Older Person's Network, hosted a successful Age Friendly Information Day at the Longford Arms Hotel, bringing together older residents and key service providers in an atmosphere of community spirit and shared learning.

The day-long event featured an impressive range of activities designed to inform, engage, and connect older people with services that matter most to their daily lives. The theme of this year’s event was ‘Stay Active, Stay Strong, Stay Young’ as part of celebrations for Positive Ageing Week, which also commenced on the same day. 

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From digital skills workshops delivered by Longford Library Services to chair yoga sessions and salsa dancing, the programme struck the perfect balance between practical information and joyful participation.

Opening the event, Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Cllr Garry Murtagh said, "This event perfectly captures what makes Longford special – our ability to bring different generations and organisations together around a common purpose. The Age Friendly approach isn't just about services; it's about creating a community where everyone feels valued and included, regardless of their age."

Deputy Chief Executive of Longford County Council John Brannigan said, "The Age Friendly programme is a key component of our corporate plan. Today represents everything we stand for in Longford – bringing people together, sharing knowledge, and ensuring our older residents have access to the services and connections they need to thrive. The enthusiasm we've witnessed here shows that age truly is just a number when communities come together with purpose and energy."

The 200 attendees engaged with representatives from key organisations including the Health Service Executive, Citizens Information, Community Gardaí, Healthy Age Friendly Homes, and the Council's Age Friendly Programme. Council teams showcased their services across multiple areas: Libraries and Archive (who led the Age Friendly programme), Local Sport Partnership, Healthy Longford, Sláintecare Healthy Communities, Longford PPN and Longford Community Safety Partnership.

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The programme's diversity reflected the broad approach of the Age Friendly movement, which works to create environments where older people can participate fully in community life. Local Age-friendly programmes work to provide walkable streets, housing and transportation options, access to key services and opportunities for older people to participate in community activities.

Highlights of the day included a gardening session with Laura Shaw from Longford Garden Centre, a presentation by solicitor Lisa Duffy on the importance of making a will, music bingo sessions, salsa dancing and a Q&A with the Community Garda- Sergeant James Rowan. The keynote address was delivered by Age Friendly Ambassador Eamonn Brennan alongside Jacinta Barnes, reinforcing the national context of local Age Friendly initiatives, and promoting the Climate Action programme for older people starting in January 2026 in Edgeworthstown Library.

Regional Age Friendly coordinator Eileen Hughes and Older Person's Council Chairperson Kitty Burkhill both played key roles in the day's proceedings, demonstrating the collaborative approach that underpins successful Age Friendly programming.

Age Friendly Ireland works directly with older people nationwide to ensure that their voice is heard and valued when it comes to decision making at both policy and operational levels through active consultation. Longford County Council's Age Friendly Programme is part of a national network supporting inclusive communities for older people.

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The Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service supports cities, counties, and towns across Ireland to prepare for the rapid ageing of the population by paying increased attention to the environmental, economic, and social factors that influence the health and well-being of older adults.

The success of the Longford Arms Hotel event reflects the growing momentum behind Age Friendly initiatives across Ireland, as communities recognise the importance of creating inclusive environments that work for all ages.