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23/05//19 National Older Persons Convention hosted in Donegal

Older persons convention

Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr Seamus O Domhnaill launching the Donegal Age Friendly Strategy and Seamus Neely, Chief Executive, Donegal County Council, Catherine McGuigan Age Friendly Ireland, Frank Campbell and Tilly Hindman Joints Chairs of Donegal Older Persons Council with members of the Donegal Age Friendly Alliance and the Donegal Older Persons Council.

 

160 older people from all over the island of Ireland visited Donegal last week for the two-day National Older Persons Convention and to learn more about the innovative work being done by Donegal’s Older Persons Council in making Donegal a better place to grow old in. 

 

The Convention, which took place in Donegal Town, was an opportunity for Older Peoples Council’s to meet, share ideas and experiences and identify key issues facing older people.  Delegates had an opportunity to see first-hand the work being done by Donegal’s Older Persons Council and Donegal County Council over the last number of years under the auspices of the Donegal Age Friendly Strategy highlighting initiatives such as Ceol le Chéile intergenerational choir, age friendly public spaces, improving public transport and an audit of Letterkenny University Hospital which in turn has resulted in it becoming more age friendly.

 

Welcoming delegates to Donegal, Cllr Seamus O’Domhnaill Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council talked about the important work being done in Donegal to make it a better place to grow old in.  He referred to the recent walkability audit in Dungloe were 97 people of all ages and abilities walked the main street and different routes around the town to identify issues for older people and people with disabilities.  Cllr. O’Domhnaill said “we need to plan, not just for ourselves but for those that come behind us and that is why these types of audits are so important.  Our towns and villages must meet the needs of everyone in our communities if we are to be truly inclusive”.

 

Delegates experienced some of Donegal’s intergenerational workshops including a cooking workshop in Donegal Manor, a Falls Prevention workshop and a choral workshop with Veronica McCarron Choral Director of Donegal’s Choir of Ages “Ceol le Chéile” and 112 people took part in the walkability audit in Donegal Town.

 

Older persons convention 1

Audience attending the recent launch of the Donegal Age Friendly Strategy in Abbey Hotel, Donegal Town.

 

Seamus Neely Chief Executive of Donegal County Council and Chair of the Donegal Age Friendly Alliance spoke of Donegal’s journey over the last few years in implementing their first Age Friendly Strategy and acknowledged the drive and commitment of the Older Persons Council in implementing this strategy.   

 

He said “the first Donegal Age Friendly Strategy was about implementing real change in an imaginative and cost-effective way and I think this has been achieved.  This programme is going from strength to strength in Donegal and it is firmly embedded in the culture of Donegal County Council.  The next phase of this journey is about building on this success and implementing the 73 actions across the eight World Health Organisation themes contained in the new Donegal Age Friendly Strategy.”

 

Catherine McGuigan Chief Officer with Age Friendly Ireland commended Donegal County Council and Donegal Age Friendly Alliance on their success in completing their first age friendly strategy and committed to continuing to provide the required support and technical guidance.

 

Delegates also heard from Mary Cronin, Chair of National Older Persons Council and Chair of Limerick OPC and Alan Byrne Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.  A number of themes including rural and community development, transport, safeguarding older people and multi-generational homes and planning were explored with keynote speakers.

 

Delegates also had an opportunity to experience some of Donegal’s hospitality with a trip across Donegal Bay on the Waterbus, a special evening of entertainment with Ceol le Chéile and special guest Moya Brennan, followed by a tasting of Donegal’s fine Silkie whiskey and music by Keltic Kaos.

 

Joint chairs of Donegal Older Persons Council Frank Campbell and Tilly Hindman concluded the event with the handing over of the Gavel to Age Friendly Ireland to pass on to the next hosts of the National Older persons Convention 2020.

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