dlr Age-Friendly Programme
In June 2013, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLRCC) signed the Dublin Declaration on Age-Friendly Cities & Communities in Europe and is affiliated to the WHO Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities & Communities.
This means that Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown is now committed to working towards becoming an Age-Friendly County by creating an inclusive, equitable society in which older people can live full, active, valued and healthy lives.
The publication of the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Age-Friendly Strategy 2016 – 2020 and the establishment of the dlr Age-Friendly Alliance and dlr Age-Friendly Programme were the first steps towards delivering on that commitment.
The dlr Age-Friendly Programme based in dlr County Council is part of a national programme working with partners to improve the quality of life of older people across the county by:
• Collaborating within dlr County Council to provide walkable streets, age-friendly public realm, housing and transport options, age-friendly activities and programmes with dlr Libraries, Arts, Heritage & Tourism Offices as well as DLR Sports Partnership & Active Cities Programme; the dlr Age-Friendly Business Recognition Programme and organising opportunities for older people to participate in community, social, cultural, physical and economic activities across dlr.
• Co-operating with local community & volunteer groups and organisations, Active Retirement groups, Men’s Sheds, older individuals, nursing homes and Day Care Centre’s in supporting older residents needs;
• Providing information on resources and activities available through the dlr Age-Friendly Directory of Activities and Services; the dlr Age-Friendly Magazine and Leaflets; information videos etc.;
• Supporting the dlr Older People's Council, dlr Age-Friendly Alliance and our dlr Age-Friendly Ambassador.
• Organising the dlr Age Well Expo; dlr Festival of Inclusion, UN International Day of Older Persons events and collaborating on Bealtaine Festival events;
• Promoting Digital Inclusion and providing funding to various Age-Friendly projects and groups across dlr.
dlr Age-Friendly Magazine 2025
“Stay Connected – Health & Wellbeing” promoted in the 2025 dlr Age-Friendly Magazine
The Age-Friendly Programme of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown (dlr) County Council and the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Age-Friendly Alliance are delighted to launch the 2025 edition of the dlr Age-Friendly Magazine.
This is the fifth year of the annual free magazine aimed at our older community, funded by Creative Ireland, Healthy Ireland and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and the main theme of this year’s magazine is promoting ‘Stay Connected – Health & Wellbeing”.
The free 88 page, full colour magazine is packed with information on services and programmes to encourage and support us to take part and enjoy the many age-friendly social, cultural, creative, educational, leisure and fitness activities and services that are available across the county to help us stay connected. There is creative writing, puzzles, heritage, biodiversity and much more – all gathered together in one valuable magazine.
On launching the dlr Age-Friendly Magazine 2025, An Cathaoirleach, Councillor Jim O’Leary said:
“This year’s dlr Age-Friendly Magazine has a wide range of information on how to “Stay Connected – Health and Wellbeing” and I’d like to sincerely thank and congratulate the many groups, organisations and individuals who contributed to this year’s edition of the annual free magazine. I sincerely appreciate the huge role you play in promoting positive ageing as well as enhancing and supporting staying connected, health and wellbeing and happiness of many older people across dlr.
We in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council hope that everyone enjoys reading the 2025 dlr Age-Friendly Magazine and you will find it informative, inspiring, engaging and a useful resource that will help us all stay connected – Health & Wellbeing.”
The Chief Executive of dlr County Council and Chair of the dlr Age-Friendly Alliance, Frank Curran was delighted to launch the annual magazine and said:
“This annual dlr Age-Friendly Magazine being together key information on the many services and supports provided by 25+ organisations and groups that are members of the dlr Age-Friendly Alliance as well as many other groups supporting older people across the county. Included in this year’s magazine, you will find information on numerous groups to join and activities to get involved with; an abundance of creative, cultural, community and leisure opportunities and events to experience; our impressive parks and sites to visit and enjoy, many accessible life-long learning programmes as well as invaluable support provided by many services across the county – all promoting stay connected – Health and Wellbeing.
This magazine has proven to be a very useful and much sought after publication for older people and their families in dlr and beyond and we are extremely grateful to Creative Ireland, Healthy Ireland & dlr County Council for the provision of funding.”
You can pick up your free hard copy of dlr Age-Friendly Magazine 2025 from all 9 Library branches, dlr County Council Offices, community centres, primary care centres, nursing homes, day care centres and shopping centres around the county, from this week. This free magazine is also available to view online as a “flipping book” HERE
If you would like a copy to be sent to you in the post, contact the Community Section of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Marine Road, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin on (01) 205 4893 / email community@dlrcoco.ie.
The 2025 dlr Age-Friendly magazine is produced by the dlr Age-Friendly Programme, the Community Section of dlr County Council and dlr Libraries.
You can also view and download the online version of the dlr Age-Friendly Magazine 2025 HERE
For more information, contact:
Deirdre Cronin, Interim dlr Age-Friendly Programme Manager & Social Inclusion, Administrative Officer, Community, Cultural Development & Parks Department, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, County Hall, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, A96 K6C9.
01 205 4893 / community@dlrcoco.ie / www.dlrcoco.ie
dlr Age Well Expo 2025
Living longer, living better: The golden age of health
Wednesday June 11th 2025 | 10am - 4pm | Talbot Hotel, Stillorgan, Dublin
As the global population continues to age, the phenomenon of longevity is reshaping our understanding of life, health, and well-being. Experts are exploring the secrets behind living longer and healthier lives. On Wednesday June 11th 2025, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council presents the dlr Age Well Expo in association with the dlr Age Friendly Alliance. The event will take place at the Talbot Hotel, Stillorgan, Dublin to showcase services and products available to older people in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.
The dlr Age Well Expo will provide an opportunity to connect, engage and hear about topics of interest, particularly around the subjects of participation, health and security. Professor Niall Moyna from DCU's Health and Human Performance will discuss the importance of maintaining fitness as we age. Other expert speakers include Mary Gowing from the HSE Living Well Programme, Sergeant James Malone will talk about security and Niamh Davenport, Head of Financial Crime with the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland will chat about Cyber Crime. Visitors will also enjoy performances from Vintage Youth / Well Dance from Dance Theatre of Ireland as well as a demonstration on Healthy Food Made Easy from Angela Lennon
From advances in healthcare and nutrition to lifestyle choices and social connections, the dlr Age Well Expo will bring essential insights that illuminate the path to a vibrant, extended life and feature a large and diverse exhibition space.
The event is free to attend by registering for either the morning session from 10am to 1pm or afternoon session from 1.30pm to 4pm at dlrcoco.ie/dlr-events.
Globally, approximately 10% of the population is 65 and older. In Ireland, around 14.5% of the population is aged 65 or older. By 2060, it is estimated that 23% of the global population with be 65 or older
“The dlr Age Well Expo is a celebration of our vibrant and growing older community and provides an opportunity to connect, engage and hear about topics of interest, particularly around the subjects of health, security and social participation. These are priorities in the comprehensive Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Age Friendly Strategy which aims to enhance well-being and quality of life of our older people and ensure that Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown is a great place in which to grow older.” said An Cathaoirleach Councillor Jim O’Leary, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.
Chair of the dlr Age Friendly Alliance and CEO of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Frank Curran said “The Council is committed to working with our partners in Age Friendly Strategy 2022-2026 to improve the quality of life of older people in dlr. This county’s Age Friendly Strategy provides a structured programme with objectives and actions based on public consultation. The Strategy supports the Council, and all the partners working collaboratively, to deliver a range of objectives and actions, to improve the quality of life of older people in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. One of these actions by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is to hold events for the benefit of older people in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. One such event is the DLR Age Friendly EXPO taking place on 11th June 2025 and I would strongly encourage older people in dlr to attend the EXPO”.
dlr Age-Friendly Strategy 2022-2026
The dlr Age-Friendly Strategy 2022-2026 was adopted in November 2022 by the elected members of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and the strategy will be launched in early 2023. Following widespread consultation, the Strategy offers an exciting and ambitious plan with more than 60 age-friendly actions identified by dozens of groups and organisations and a shared mission of dlr as "a vibrant place where people can thrive and fulfil their potential in their local communities and neighbourhoods throughout their lives".
The dlr Age-Friendly Strategy aims to secure the future of older people in their local areas and to engage positively within their communities for as long as possible with excellent services enhancing the health and well-being of dlr’s older population. It is centred on the needs and aspirations of older people throughout the county and is supported by commitments from stakeholders and partners to work together to make a positive difference and to help make Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown an even better place in which to live and grow older.
CLICK HERE for the online version.
dlr Age-Friendly Alliance
The dlr Age-Friendly Alliance is a strategic partnership that was set up in 2014 to work collaboratively on supporting older people in the County and to lead on dlr Age-Friendly Strategy development and implementation. The Alliance is made up of representatives from Age-Friendly Ireland, ALONE, An Garda Síochána, dlr County Council, dlr Drugs & Alcohol Taskforce, dlr Older People’s Council, dlr Public Participation Network (PPN), dlr Volunteer Centre, Dublin Bus, Dublin & Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board, Dún Laoghaire Chamber of Commerce, HSE, Institute of Art, Design + Technology, Dún Laoghaire (IADT), Go-Ahead Ireland, Irish Senior Citizen’s Parliament, Living Well with Dementia, Making Connections, Southside Partnership DLR, Southside Travellers Action Group and UCD.
The Alliance meets 4 times a year and is currently chaired by Frank Curran, the dlr County Council Chief Executive Officer
dlr Age-Friendly Alliance members, September 2023
dlr Older People's Council (OPC)
The Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Older People’s Council (dlr OPC) was established as ‘Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Network for Older People’ in 2001. The dlr OPC is a representative group of and for older people, with some 40 member groups, clubs and associations across the county and is open to all non commercial groups, organisations and individuals, committed to improving the quality of life of older people in the county.
The role of the dlr OPC is to:
• identify priority areas of need and to speak with a unified authentic voice on matters of concern for older people in dlr,
• inform and influence the decision-making process of the dlr Age-Friendly Alliance and dlr Age-Friendly Programme,
• represent the diversity that exists among our ageing population in dlr,
• participate in the National Committee of Older People’s Council’s.
Every year, the dlr Older People’s Council run a Small Transport Grant and Events Grant Scheme for its registered member groups to help cover the cost of transport and organising events during the year as well as arranging an annual event and AGM for its member groups. Member groups also receive regular updates on events, activities and funding opportunities and membership of the OPC is free of charge and open to all older people’s groups, clubs, associations, Day Care Centres, Nursing Homes, designated older persons accommodation etc. located in dlr.
The dlr OPC works in co-operation with and receives funding from the dlr Age-Friendly Programme and is part of the national Age-Friendly Ireland Programme. The dlr OPC committee meet on a monthly basis in County Hall, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and from time to time, in the Dundrum area.
The dlr OPC have the support of a part-time Administrator, Sinead O’ Sullivan and Sinead is located in the designated OPC Office located in 88 Inagh Court, Ballybrack.
Open Monday - Friday from 9a.m - 12.30p.m
At this location photocopying and shredder services are available at a much-reduced rate to our member groups. Currently the dlr Older People’s Council Committee are looking for new members from the western side of the county who are committed to improving the quality of life of older people in dlr. Please support us as we continue our work to enhance the quality of life for older people living in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.
If your group is interested in registering with the dlr OPC and availing of the many supports available or if you would like more information on joining the dlr OPC committee. It is free to register and become a member group of the dlr OPC.
Contact: Sinead O’Sullivan
Administrator, dlr Older People’s Council,
88 Inagh Court, Ballybrack, Glenageary,
Co Dublin, A96 H1F8
Tel: 01 282 2425
Email: dlrolderpeoplescouncil@gmail.com
The dlr Older People's Council Membership Application Form for Age-Friendly Groups, Clubs and Associations is available HERE.
Transport Assistance Grant 2024: The dlr OPC Transport Assistance Small Grants Scheme worth €250 per group supports older people’s groups, clubs and associations in the county with the costs of organising day/evening excursions and trips during 2024. The funding for this project has been granted by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Age-Friendly Programme and the application form and details will be made available shortly.
Transport Application Form HERE
An Cathaoirleach, Councillor Denis O’Callaghan pictured with members of the dlr Older People’s Council with their Chairperson Mags Kenny and Siobhán Nic Gaoithín, dlr Age-Friendly Programme Manager & Social Inclusion Officer in the Old Council Chamber, County Hall, Dún Laoghaire launching the new Directory of Activities & Services for Older People.
dlr ACORN Tablet
The ACORN tablet is available to loan from dlr Libraries providing age-friendly, easy-to-use technology. The ACORN tablet is designed with the older person in mind, and the principle behind the tablet is to provide more accessible options for those with little or no computer or smart device experience. The home screen is clear and easy to navigate.
ACORN tablets are now available for lending to all dlr Library members. For more information on this lending scheme, contact your local branch.
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