Mayo County Council champions inclusion through age friendly programme
The Mayo Age Friendly Programme, led by Mayo County Council as part of the national Age Friendly Ireland initiative, works to ensure older people's voices are heard and reflected in local decision-making.
Through collaboration with public services, community organisations, businesses, and older people themselves, the programme is helping to make Mayo a more inclusive and accessible place in which to grow older.
The programme has supported improvements such as enhanced accessibility in public spaces, age-friendly parking, additional seating, and improvements at Ireland West Airport Knock.
It also promotes social inclusion through digital skills training and intergenerational initiatives that help reduce isolation and strengthen community connections.
The Mayo Older People's Council (OPC), established in 2016, provides a platform for older people to influence decisions affecting their daily lives.
Membership is open to anyone aged 55 and over. For information, contact agefriendlymayo@mayococo.ie or (094) 9064111.
The Mayo Age Friendly Alliance continues to drive positive change through projects such as walkability audits across the county and Mayo's participation in Phase 2 of Irish Rail's age friendly train stations initiative, with audits completed at Castlebar Station and planned for Claremorris.
On September 7, the Mayo Older People's Council held its AGM and information day at the TF Royal Hotel in Castlebar.
The event was well attended and featured contributions from Councillor John Caulfield, cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Kevin Kelly, chief executive of Mayo County Council, Mary Wrafter, chairperson of the Mayo Older People's Council, and Eileen O'Connor, Mayo Age Friendly Programme manager.
Presentations were delivered by Foxford Alzheimer's Community Trust (FACT), Sage Advocacy and Dr. Mark Garavan, retired ATU lecturer in social care. Twenty-three organisations providing services and supports for older people also hosted information stands.
The organisers were delighted to welcome a very special surprise guest to the event - All-Ireland winning Mayo senior footballer Ryan O'Donoghue.
Ryan received a warm reception and a standing ovation from attendees, many of whom took the opportunity to chat with him and pose for photographs.
His presence added a real sense of occasion to the day, and his willingness to meet and engage with guests was appreciated by all in attendance.
The organisers extend sincere thanks to Ryan for taking the time out of his busy schedule to join them and help make the event such a memorable success.
The event marked the beginning of the consultation process for the development of the Mayo Age Friendly Strategy 2027-2031, which will succeed the current strategy that concludes in 2026.
Surveys were distributed at the information day and will continue to be distributed, with a series of focus groups and workshops taking place across Mayo in the coming months.
The success of previous Age Friendly strategies has been built on partnership, collaboration and, most importantly, listening to older people. As plans are developed for the next five years, Mayo Age Friendly is encouraging older people to share their experiences, identify priorities and help shape the future of the county.
Together, we can continue to make Mayo one of the best places in Ireland in which to grow older.