Age proves no barrier to active retirees in Mayo
More than 250 older people competed recently in the 13th annual Active Retirement Ireland National Bowls Competition, which took place at the Gleneagle INEC Arena in Killarney, Co. Kerry.
Active Retirement Ireland has 516 local Active Retirement Associations in communities across Ireland, including in Mayo, bringing together older people who organise social events and activities, such as bowling, to reinforce social connectedness and reduce loneliness.
Showcasing the drive and self-determination of older people, over three days, 64 four-person Active Retirement bowls teams representing 15 counties competed across the large and small bowls competitions, with Midleton team The Magpies taking home the large bowls cup for the third year running and Cnoc Buí A from Co. Waterford taking home the small bowls cup.
The teams were presented with their trophies by Active Retirement Ireland national president Mai Quaid and CEO Fran Brennan at a special gala ball held on Thursday last to close the competition.
Finalists from counties Carlow, Kerry, Kildare, Westmeath and Wicklow were also presented with awards.
Speaking at the awards presentation, Fran Brennan said: “Well done to all the teams who participated in this year’s National Bowls Competition and special congratulations to our finalists across the large and small bowls tournaments.
“This tournament is a celebration of older people and their right to live independent, full lives in which they can stay socially connected and be active participants in their communities. The more than 450 competitors, volunteer officials and spectators who have joined us in Killarney this week exemplify the drive and self-determination of older people to live their best life in later life.
“We are all ageing, and it cannot be too much to ask that people in Mayo and across Ireland be supported to age well – with dignity, independence and equality. It is time the government took meaningful steps to develop and implement whole-of-government strategies and frameworks to ensure we can.”
The CEO thanked Hidden Hearing for their generous support of the 2025 National Bowls Competition, and the Gleneagle Hotel and staff for their 'steadfast recognition of the value and contribution of older people in Irish society' and for their ongoing support in making the event possible each year.
Active Retirement Ireland is Ireland’s largest membership organisation for older people in the country. For more information about Active Retirement Ireland and to find your local group in Mayo, see www.activeirl.ie.