Golden Ireland is delighted to announce that it's new Active Retired Breaks brochure is now available. If you have a group who is planning a trip away, this is an invaluable guide to all the best over 55's hotel group rates in Ireland.

To get your free copy simply email: info@goldenireland.ie or telephone: (064) 6626511

'Get Active' with Temple Bar Cultural Trust

Exciting New Cultural Programme for the Active Retired

Aimed at over-55’s the ‘Get Active’ cultural group encourages the active retired to engage, enjoy and participate in a wide range of cultural activities from drama and music workshops , to film screenings with post show talks to historical walking tours and lots more. Membership is free and includes at least one cultural activity per month.

In collaboration with cultural organisations in Temple Bar, Dublin’s Cultural Quarter, ‘Get Active’ offers the active retired a wide range of cultural activity across art-forms.  With a calendar packed with activities, there is something to suit all tastes and abilities.  Highlights of this year’s programme includes a monthly book club in association with the Gutter Bookshop, located in the Old City area of Temple Bar which is sure to appeal to all bookworms out there! Art lovers can learn the age old technique of etching with the Graphic Studio Dublin or fine-art drawing with the Independent Studio Artists. Those who fancy their name in lights can sign up for a beginners drama workshops in association with the Gaiety School of Acting or be hands-on and learn how to make your own jewellery with jewellery designer, Ann Tyrrell, from Designer Mart at Cow’s Lane.  Get Active events will also run throughout TBCT’s annual programme of events starting with In Handel’s Day on April 13th.

According to Eimear Chaomhánach, Audience Programmes Manager at TBCT, “Temple Bar Cultural Trust believes that broadening the appeal of Dublin’s Cultural Quarter is crucial for the city. This cultural programme for the active retired further strengthens the message that Temple Bar is genuinely an age-friendly area in the heart of Dublin city.  Groups like ‘Get Active’ are very important for the active retired. They provide an opportunity for older people to socialise, meet like-minded people, keep their minds and bodies active while allowing people to learn a new skill or rediscover an old hobby; while having a bit of fun along the way”.

‘Get Active’ members can also avail of discounts in a number of businesses, cafes and restaurants in Temple Bar upon presentation of their Get Active membership card. So what are you waiting for - ‘Get Active’ with Temple Bar Cultural Trust this year! Membership is FREE and simply involves contacting Temple Bar Cultural Trust on +353 1 6772255 or emailing echaomhnach@templebar.ie

Free Rail Scheme on Track for Older Visitors

A free rail scheme, developed by Fáilte Ireland in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann, has been finalised and now is available for all over 66s visiting Ireland. The scheme, announced by the Government as part of Budget 2010 last December, is designed to increase overseas visitor numbers to Ireland.

Overseas visitors aged 66 or over can reserve free rail travel by accessing www.discoverireland.com or calling a local LoCall number to arrange for a Golden Trekker Reservation, which can be used to book their free Golden Trekker Tickets when in Ireland.

The Golden Trekker Tickets will take the form of a four-day Trekker ticket, or a sequence of 4-day tracker tickets depending on the length of stay, providing visitors with unrestricted rail travel for a set period. Each 4-day trekker ticket is worth €100.

The design of the scheme mimics the terms of the free-travel scheme available to Irish senior citizens aged 66 and over. Accordingly, the scheme provides for free travel to all tourists to Ireland aged 66 and over, and there is no restriction on nationality or country of residence.

Welcoming the initiative, Redmond O’Donoghue, Chairman of Fáilte Ireland said –
“Extending Ireland’s free rail travel arrangements to our international visitors is a very encouraging and constructive development. It will help strengthen the appeal of Ireland amongst some visitors and Fáilte Ireland believes it will pay dividends to Irish tourism longer-term.”
“Our experience of working with Iarnród Éireann in putting this scheme in place has been a very positive one and we would like to acknowledge their help and active support in helping to finalise arrangements in time for this year’s tourist season.”  
 

The Golden Trekker Scheme’s Key Features -   

• Qualifying travellers are issued with a 4-day Trekker ticket, or a sequence of 4-day tracker tickets depending on their length of stay, providing visitors with unrestricted rail travel for a restricted period. Each 4-day Trekker ticket is worth €100.  

•  The design of the scheme mimics the terms of the free travel scheme available to Irish senior citizens aged 66 and over. Accordingly, the scheme provides for free travel to all tourists to Ireland aged 66 and over. There is no restriction on nationality or country of residence.   

• The operation of this scheme is confined to the rail network in the Republic of Ireland and all of Iarnród Éireann’s normal terms, conditions and by-laws apply to this scheme.  

• As per Iarnród Éireann’s operating procedures, the nature of the reconciliation system at ticket desks is that all tickets issued are directly matched either by cash receipts, credit card receipts, or travel “warrants”.  Qualifying visitors wishing to avail of the scheme generate a travel warrant by calling or e-mailing Tourism Ireland: goldentrekker@tourismireland.ie and providing the following details:  

 
o First Name  
o Last Name  
o Date of Birth  
o Passport number or national identity card number  
o Date at which the trekker ticket commences and ceases  
o City of Residence  
o Email address and/or postal address  

• Once these details are provided, a Tourism Ireland agent processes the warrant (Golden Trekker reservation) and it is sent to the qualifying visitors in advance of their trip to Ireland.  Visitors are given their Golden Trekker Ticket upon presentation of a warrant/reservation and the accompanying passport number or national identify card at an Iarnród Éireann ticket desk.  

•  All warrants must be requested and issued at least 48 hours before the intended date of first use.  

•  Qualifying visitors wishing to avail of the scheme but who have failed to make a Golden Trekker reservation before arriving in the Republic of Ireland can secure a reservation either by calling the dedicated telephone number or by visiting a Fáilte Ireland Tourist Information office. 

For further information, go to: http://www.discoverireland.com/int/ireland-plan-your-visit/facts/golden-trekker/

Professor Des O'Neill Wines Award for Inspirational Work on Positive Ageing in Ireland

First three winners announced for the inaugural All Ireland Inspirational Life Award

 
Professor Desmond O’Neill scooped an All Ireland Inspirational Life Award on 8th March for his inspirational leadership in engaging older people to lead active and fulfilling lives at an award ceremony in Belfast, hosted by BT. The professor was presented with his award, along with two other winners, by Senator Mary White and Dame Joan Harbison, for his Trojan work championing active and positive ageing in Ireland. The Professor is most well known for his involvement and recommendations in the Leas Cross report, the highly publicised enquiry into the standard of care in Irish nursing homes, developing the Irish Gerontological Society, as well as for his roles as: Medical Director for the Alzheimer Society of Ireland and Chair of both the Irish National Audit of Stroke Care and the Irish governments Elder Abuse Working Group.
 
Commenting on his recognition, Professor Des O’Neill said, “My work to date has focussed on promoting an Ireland that welcomes and supports ageing as a positive development. In order to achieve this, it requires joint working between older people, advocacy groups and the professionals and academics active in the sciences of ageing. By recognising the people, projects and organisations showcased here today we are developing a common goal in making Ireland a place where ageing is a positive experience, and promoting a sense of a demographic dividend."
 
Other winners on the day were, Carmel Devaney, aged 73, from Westmeath, who won her award for being an outstanding role model as chairperson of the Athlone Careers Support Group and for living a life dedicated to caring for others, including family and friends, over the past 20 years. Also awarded was Belfast City Council, who showed leadership to end discrimination on age grounds and in developing initiatives to engage older people in leading active and fulfilling lives, under the theme, Better Support for People and Communities, which is run as part of the Belfast Healthy Ageing strategic partnership. The award, which is the first of its kind in Ireland, is kindly supported by BT, The Irish Times, Vodafone and Tyrone Crystal.
 
Speaking after receiving her award Ms. Carmel Devaney said, ”I was shocked to hear I was nominated for, and won this award for caring for family and friends, which I have done all my life. In today’s fast paced world, people don’t have time for older people, but they are at the very top of my list, especially as chairperson of the Athlone Carers Group. The group is a great relief to those who spend their time dedicated to others and may have no other outlet. We meet once a week, where members partake in activities, exercise, workshops and even have the opportunity to go abroad for weekends.”
 
Councillor Diane Dodds, Chair of the Council’s political reference group leading on older peoples’ issues commented on Belfast City Council’s win saying, “I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of the Belfast City Council. As a civic leader for Belfast we have put tackling issues affecting older people’s wellbeing in the City as a priority under our theme of Better Support for People and Communities. As a key partner in the Belfast Healthy Ageing Strategic Partnership our goal is to continue to drive the work of the partnership forward, and make improvements for older people living in and visiting the City.”
 
 
Each winner was presented with a trophy from Tyrone Crystal for their outstanding work for leadership and achievement in enabling older people to realise their potential and in combating ageism.
 
The awards developed by Senator Mary White, spokesperson for older people and children, were attended by well known organisations and persons, north and south, who are co-operating in its promotion and adjudication: Age & Opportunity; Age Concern Help the Aged NI and Third Age Foundation. Awards will be presented in May and August 2010 followed by an annual event to recognise the achievements of all the award winners. A number of entries were received from right across the Island of Ireland and nominations are now being sought for the next round.

Applications can be made online at www.irishtimes.com/events/inspirational or by emailing Ashley Beston at inspirationalaward@ireland.com and requesting an application form. The closing date for the second round of nominations is Friday, 30th April 2010.
 
The panel of adjudicators comprises leaders of organisations to the fore in promoting positive ageing, those who took imaginative initiatives in their organisations and people who are themselves role models for active living: Catherine Rose (Chief Executive, Age & Opportunity), Anne O’Reilly (Chief Executive, Age Concern Help the Aged Northern Ireland), Sir George Quigley (Chairman of Bombardier Aerospace), Inez McCormack (Participation and the Practice of Rights in Northern Ireland), Mary Nally (Chairperson, Third Age Foundation), Padraic White (Entrepreneur and former Managing Director of the IDA Ireland), Nickey Brennan (Former President of the GAA) and  Martin Donnelly

Warmer Homes Scheme

The recent cold snap made many of us realize just how badly insulted some of our homes can be. If you are reviewing the insulation in your home, you may be entitled to a grant from Sustainable Energy Ireland under The Warmer Homes Scheme.

Click here to find out more.

Dundrum House Hotel Offer

Dundrum House Hotel, Cashel, Co. Tipperary joins Golden Ireland with a fantastic mid-week offer of 3 Nights Dinner/B&B for only €159pps

For more information, go to: http://www.goldenireland.ie/hotels~id~100564~Munster~Dundrum-House-Hotel.htm

Funny YouTube Clib on Ageing

Here is a short YouTube clip made by Age Action Ireland. The idea of this fun film is to challenge the stereotype of ageing and, in doing so, challenge age discrimination.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laCLBVmk1EU

New Year - New Ideas!

As we welcome a new year and a new decade, perhaps it's time to consider pursuing an educational course that you've always thought about doing but never quite got round to it. Our Guide to Further Education may give you some ideas about how to get started.

Click here to find out more.

Your action helped save State Pension   

Older and Bolder Campaign Says "Thank You!"

Older people reliant on State Pensions and other supports have escaped from Budget 2010 unscathed.  They stood in front of the firing squad with other Social Welfare recipients and they were not hit by any flying bullets. We are relieved because we know how reliant a majority of older people are on social transfers to protect them against the risk of poverty.  Older & Bolder welcomes the maintenance of State Pensions at current levels, the protection of the Household Benefits Package, Travel Pass, Living Alone Allowance, Over 80 Age Allowance and Fuel Allowance.
 
Older & Bolder believes that the Government’s decision to leave the State Pension almost intact – apart from the 2% cut due to the suspension of the Christmas Bonus – was due to the concerted campaigning by members of the alliance and by thousands of individual supporters across the country.
 

This campaign tapped into the same energy that inspired the spontaneous and vocal response by older people to last year’s proposal to abolish universal entitlement of the medial card to the over 70s. The response to our petition to protect the State Pension was tremendous and we would like to thank all those involved; from those who took the time to sign an individual petition to those who organised petition stands and lobbied their local TD’s.
 
Since the McCarthy Report was published in July, Older & Bolder has advocated the protection of all vulnerable groups and the shaping of a society where there’s trust, solidarity and where we develop systems of care and support that pool costs and risks across the generations.  Accordingly, we cannot celebrate a budget that targets vulnerable groups within the 65 years and under population and asks them to shoulder the burden of fiscal adjustment. Social welfare benefits to Widows/Widowers, Carers, Guardians and Blind Persons have all been cut; and  recipients of Invalidity, Occupational Injuries, Disability and One Parent  Family  payments and Children’s Allowance have also had their benefits cut.
 
This budget has also introduced a range of different measures that will affect all generations. In the coming days Older & Bolder will be assessing these cuts, charges and taxes to see what impact they will have on older people. Measures requiring scrutiny include the introduction of prescription charges, water charges, changes to Carer’s supports, property and carbon taxes.
 
In the longer term Older and Bolder will be on alert for any proposals to change the State Pension age and are awaiting with interest the Government’s National Pensions Framework shortly to be published by the Minister for Social and Family Affairs. The continued protection of the State Pension is vital not just to the present cohort but to all future cohorts of older people.
 
Thank you for your continued support,
 
Patricia Conboy
Project Director
 
Older and Bolder
Jervis House
Jervis St.
Dublin 1
Ireland
Telephone :  00353-1-8783623
Web: www.olderandbolder.ie