Age Friendly Health & Wellbeing Festival
On March 28th, 2025, more than 250 older people from Sligo, Leitrim and across the region attended the first-ever Age Friendly Health and Wellbeing Festival at ATU Sligo. The event was a resounding success, providing attendees with valuable information, resources, and opportunities to connect with services that support healthy and independent living. The festival was organised by Age Friendly Ireland, in partnership with Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Sligo.
Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr Declan Bree, officially opened the festival and remarked that “this is a great opportunity for older people to get the information they need and have access to key people in a broad range of services under the one roof”.
Setting a lively tone for the day, the ATU Sligo Intergenerational Choir performed following the opening speeches, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere as attendees explored the 40 exhibitor stands. Exhibitors from public services, the voluntary sector, the university, and non-government organisations provided information on health, housing, community connectivity, climate change, energy sustainability, technology, financial entitlements, pensions, and fraud prevention.
Over 26 workshops were delivered over the day, importantly giving older people an insight into the services available to them locally and an opportunity to find out about ATU projects including virtual reality in healthcare and intergenerational practice. Private one-on-one sessions with workshop speakers were also available, allowing for more personalised advice and guidance. Participants at the event also enjoyed food tasting while learning about nutrition and had the opportunity for a full eye health screening by Vision Ireland.
As part of the festival, ATU also celebrated it’s recent designation as an Age-Friendly University, and new member of the Age-Friendly University Global Network.
Dr Orla Flynn President of ATU remarked "ATU is proud to mark its designation as an Age-Friendly University, reinforcing our commitment to lifelong learning, inclusion, and community engagement. Today’s festival is a testament to the strong partnerships we foster across the age-friendly ecosystem. We look forward to hearing from participants about how ATU can continue to support and enrich opportunities for older adults. This milestone reflects our dedication to creating an inclusive and welcoming university for learners of all ages."
The festival was a chance for older adults to explore services at their ease and discover new technology to help them thrive in their late years.
Reflecting on the success of the festival, Martin Lydon, Chief Executive of Sligo County Council, highlighted the power of collaboration:
“The Age Friendly Health and Wellbeing Festival was made possible by true collaboration between all the agencies involved. With an ageing population, it is important to involve older people in co-designing services so that we know what changes are needed to promote independence and high quality of life for people as they age. Access to information and accessible communication are core elements of the World Health Organisation framework for developing Age Friendly communities.”
When generations come together magic happens, ‘magic happened’, and relationships were built as the ATU students guided and assisted the older people throughout the venue.
Mary Quinn, Directory of Services Leitrim County Council, recognised the superb work of all who had contributed to the success of the festival and said, “Today is another step closer to a vibrant Age Friendly Ireland, one that has an array of supports and services enabling older people to live longer, happier and healthier lives in their communities”.
Older people were able to register for ‘Healthy Age Friendly Homes’, a support co-ordination service delivered through the local authority. Under this new service, local co-ordinators undertake home visits to older people and complete a home assessment. They support older people to remain living at home by helping them to access necessary services such as Home Supports, and grants such as housing adaptation and energy grants. Sligo and Leitrim’s Age Friendly Programmes welcomed new members to join their Older People’s Councils on the day.
“Today’s, Age Friendly festival is a key milestone for both Sligo and Leitrim’s Age friendly Programmes” said Eimear McCormack, National Healthy Age Friendly Homes Manager. “This event is creating a valuable opportunity to enhance our connections and work together towards our shared vision of supporting older people in the community”
Bringing the festival to a close, the Choir of Ages from the Ballagh Centre, Co. Leitrim delivered a heartwarming final performance, rounding off a truly special and informative day.