Age Friendly Information Day celebrates Connectivity within Community
More than 200 attend Longford event
Press Release: Monday, 12 October 2026
Longford County Council, through its Age Friendly Programme, in partnership with the Longford Age Friendly Alliance and the Longford Older Persons Council, hosted a successful Age Friendly Information Day at the Longford Arms Hotel on Monday, 28 September 2026. More than 200 attended the event, which brought older people together with local services, organisations and community groups for a day of information, learning and social connection.
The theme of this year's event, ‘Everyone Has a Story’, reflected the launch of the programme's new An Bosca Beo memory box initiative, which encourages people to share and preserve personal stories, memories and experiences.
Participants enjoyed a varied programme that focused on health, wellbeing, lifelong learning and community participation. Sessions included healthy eating and exercise presentations, information on the new Learning Gate initiative delivered in partnership with Longford Libraries and TUS Midlands Midwest, and an overview of the 1926 Census. The day concluded with a performance from the Songbirds Choir.
The event also provided an opportunity for attendees to meet representatives from a range of organisations and services, including Longford County Council, ALONE, the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Citizens Information, Community Gardaí, Healthy Age Friendly Homes and the HSE.
Regional Age Friendly coordinator Eileen Hughes and Older Person's Council Chairperson Kitty Burkhill both played key roles in the day's proceedings, demonstrating the collaborative approach that underpins successful Age Friendly programming.
The Age Friendly Programme works with older people to ensure their voices are heard and reflected in local and national decision-making. Longford County Council's Age Friendly Programme forms part of a national network working to create communities where older people can remain active, connected and engaged.
Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Cllr Gerry Hagan said, "This year marks ten years of the Age Friendly Programme in County Longford. Over that time, the programme has helped ensure that older people's voices are heard and reflected in local decision-making. Events such as the Information Day demonstrate the strength of partnership working across the county and the value of bringing people together to share information, ideas and experiences."
Chief Executive of Longford County Council, Samantha Healy said, "The Older Persons Council plays a vital role in ensuring that older people have a voice in shaping local services and policies. Through the Age Friendly Programme, we continue to work closely with older people and our partners to build a county where people can remain active, connected and engaged in community life as they age."
The wide range of information and services available on the day reflected the aims of the Age Friendly Programme, which supports communities to become more inclusive and accessible for older people. This includes promoting access to services, housing, transport, community participation and opportunities for active ageing.
The strong attendance at this year's Age Friendly Information Day highlights the continued commitment across County Longford to creating a county where people can age with dignity, independence and connection to their community.
