Physical activity funding announced for older people in Mayo
Age & Opportunity has today announced €11,790 in grants to support sport and physical activity for 41 groups in Mayo.
The Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme, funded by Sport Ireland, will assist over 1,000 clubs, groups and organisations across the country with €300,000 in grants this year.
The funding recipients announced under the 2026 scheme include Family Carers, Men’s and Women’s Sheds, ICA’s, Active Retirement Groups, Physical Activity Leaders (PALs) and other social, sporting and community associations.
Over 20,000 grants of almost €8.5 million have been awarded since the inception of the Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme in 2001. Every year, circa 34,000 older people take part in physical activity funded through the scheme.
Grant funding for 2026 will support the rollout of activities such as pickleball, dancing, walking, cycling, table tennis, walking football, yoga and much more. The financial support will enable organisations to purchase sports equipment and host active initiatives and events for older people.
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD said:
“The Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme drives participation among older people in recreational sport. Staying active as we age has proven physical and mental health benefits and as such, I am pleased to announce the distribution of €300,000 in funding from my Department today.
“The Government is committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity, regardless of age or ability and with the overall aim of increasing participation among the population to 50 per-cent by 2027. “These grants will help fund activities, secure essential equipment and support events that bring older people together in a sports setting.”
Sue Guildea, Active Programme Manager at Age & Opportunity said: "Once again we have seen an incredible response to the grant scheme with applications coming in from across the country. Older age should be a time of opportunity and through this grant scheme, older people have improved access to recreational sport and targeted opportunities to engage in physical activity.”
The National Active Grant Scheme is part of Age & Opportunity’s Active programme, funded by Sport Ireland, and delivered nationwide with the support of the HSE and Local Sports Partnerships and other local agencies.
Age & Opportunity is the national organisation working to enhance wellbeing for older people through participation in sport and physical activity, arts and creative engagement, personal development, community collaboration and active citizenship. For further information, visit here.