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 2024
The Age-Friendly Programme of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown (dlr) County Council and the County Age-Friendly Alliance have launched the 2024 edition of the dlr Age-Friendly Magazine which is aimed at our older community. The magazine is funded by Creative Ireland, Healthy Ireland and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and the main theme of this year’s magazine is promoting ‘Good Brain Health’.
On launching the dlr Age-Friendly Magazine 2024, An Cathaoirleach, Councillor Denis O’Callaghan said:
“We congratulate and thank the many groups, organisations and individuals who contributed content to this year’s edition and previous editions of the annual free dlr Age-Friendly Magazine and for offering wonderful services and supports to older people in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. We sincerely appreciate the huge role that you play in promoting positive ageing as well as enhancing and supporting the wellbeing, health, and happiness of many older people across dlr.
"We hope that everyone will enjoy reading the 2024 dlr Age-Friendly Magazine and that you will find it informative, inspiring and engaging and a useful resource that will help us all mind our brain health as we age.”
The free 84-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; activities which are the foundations to positive ageing and Good Brain Health. There is advice and guidance available also on issues relating to your brain health as well as creative writing, puzzles, local heritage and much more – all gathered together in one valuable magazine.
The Chief Executive of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown 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 brings together key information on many of the services and supports provided by the 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; 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 of these promoting positive ageing and good brain health.
"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 2024 from all 8 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.
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 2024 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 2024 here
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.
Banshees of Inisherin star Sheila Flitton performed at dlr Age Well Expo 2023
On Sunday June 11th 2023 Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council presented the dlr Age Well Expo in association with the dlr Age-Friendly Alliance to celebrate and showcase services and activities available to older people in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. in the Pavilion at Leopardstown Racecourse,
The dlr Age Well Expo provided an opportunity to socialise, connect, engage and hear about topics of interest, particularly around the subjects of ageing well, participation, health, security and social activities, over two sessions on the day.
Speakers on the day were Professor Ian Robertson, author of the brilliant and thought-provoking book; ‘How confidence works: The new science of self-belief’ with a talk on Confident Ageing. Celebrity Chef Tara Walker held a Cookery Demonstration entitled Healthy Cooking for One. Latest research findings on The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) in Ireland was presented by Dr Ann Monaghan from TCD. Áine Flynn, director of the newly launched Decision Support Service gave a presentation on Decision-Making legislation and one of the highlights of the event was a performance by 90-year-old Actress Sheila Flitton from the Banshees of Inisherin, of her highly acclaimed one-woman show ‘Beezie’ as well as over 40 exhibition stands from groups and organisations on the many supports and activities available to older people in dlr.
Ronnie Delany, dlr Age-Friendly Ambassador
As part of the Age-Friendly Ireland national programme, each local authority area is invited to appoint an Age-Friendly Ambassador - an honorary role, carried out by a local high-profile person representing the Age-Friendly Programme on behalf of older people in their city/county.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and Age-Friendly Ireland are delighted that Ronnie Delany, Ireland’s 1500m Olympic Gold Medalist from the 1956 Melbourne summer games and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown resident, agreed to take on the role of Age-Friendly Ambassador for dlr in 2022.
Ronnie Delany is very well placed to be an advocate and an inspiration for the older population of dlr. His vast experience, his inspiring sporting, professional and volunteering career as well as his passion and professionalism are qualities that add greatly to the dlr Age-Friendly programme and vision for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown as an Age-Friendly county.
Age-Friendly Information and Support Services
See the latest copy of the annual dlr Age-Friendly Magazine HERE
dlr Libraries, Arts and Heritage Office also organise social and cultural age-friendly events. See more about dlr Libraries: here and Heritage: here
Keep up to date with dlr Age-Friendly news and events by following our Twitter page at: @AgeFriendlydlr
dlr Directory of Age-Friendly Activities & Services 2023
dlr Directory of Age-Friendly Activities & Services 2023 is available to view HERE with contact details and information on the many services and supports available to older people in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.
If you would like a copy of the current dlr Directory of Activities & Services for Older People, please email community@dlrcoco.ie / call 01 205 4893
Age-Friendly Physical Exercise & Activities in dlr
The DLR Sports Partnership and Active Cities Programme as well as Southside Partnership DLR's SWAP - Senior Wellness Activity Programme and many of the Active Retirement Associations organise exercise classes (in-person and online) in the county. Age & Opportunity also provide 'Fitline' - a phone and advice service at: https://ageandopportunity.ie/active/
The dlr Leisure centres in Meadowbrook, Monkstown & Loughlinstown also organise swimming and physical activities for 55+ - further details available at https://dlrleisure.ie
DLRCC Housing Adaptions Grants & Information & Grants for Older People and People with a Disability
See more here: https://www.dlrcoco.ie/en/apply-grant
For more information on the dlr Age-Friendly Programme, contact:
Siobhán Nic Gaoithín, Age-Friendly Programme Manager & Social Inclusion Officer,
Community Department, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council at 01 205 4893 / community@dlrcoco.ie
The 2024 dlr Age-Friendly Magazine can be accessed _____
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