Physical activity funding for older people in Louth

Age & Opportunity the national organisation that provides a range of opportunities for older people who want to get more involved in arts and culture, sport and physical activity, civic engagement and personal development, has announced the the distribution of its Active National Grant with 21 groups in Louth to receive €6,530 in funding.

The 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 Partnership. This year it is providing €300,000 to support sport and physical activities run by 988 groups and organisations. These range from Active Retirement Groups, ICAs, Men’s/Women’s Sheds, Physical Activity Leaders (PALs), care settings and other sports and social groups.

The successful Louth groups are: An Caireal Community Group, Broomfield Men's Shed, Clogherhead & Walshestown ICA, Collann Cailini, Connect Family Resource Centre, Cooley Connect Well, East Coast Family Resource Centre, Faughart Social Group ARA, Fetching Go For Life, Kilkerley ICA, Lann-Leire and District ARA, Lifestyle Development Group CLG, Louth Local Sports Partnership, Louth Village ICA, Omeath Active Retirement Group, Omeath District Development Co. Ltd, Ravensdale ICA Guild, The Peoples Club Aclint ARA, Togher And District Active Retirement Association, Tullyallen active Retirement Association, Westerns GFC. 

Every year approximately 32,000 older people take part in physical activity funded by the Grant Scheme. Activities funded include pickleball, aqua aerobics, rowing, dancing, cycling, bowling, self-defence, walking hockey, tai chi, walking, weight-lifting and many more.

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By financially supporting organisations to buy equipment and host activities specifically designed for older people, the grant helps older people reap the health benefits of being active. Pickleball and Walking Football continue to grow in popularity and are named in over 40 applications.

Speaking on the funding announcement, Sport Ireland CEO, Dr Úna May said: “Being active is the key to healthy aging, and this funding is vital in building an Ireland where older adults have more opportunities to stay active and socially connected. Sport Ireland’s Local Sports Partnerships do tremendous work in encouraging people to get involved in physical activity as a means of promoting a healthy lifestyle – and the Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme will allow them to continue to work in that area.

“We know from the Irish Sport Monitor report that participation levels among older people are on the rise so it’s important that there are opportunities for people over the age of 50 to be involved in a variety of sports. It makes a real difference in our communities.”

Sue Guildea, Active Programme Manager, Age & Opportunity welcomed the ongoing partnership with Sport Ireland. “I would like to thank Sport Ireland for their continued support and commitment. I am especially happy to share that this year, 340 successful applications have come from designated disadvantaged areas.

"Another 80 applications have been awarded to care settings, many of whom have CarePALs, who are staff or volunteers who have completed training with us to help support them to increase the levels of physical activity of those in their care. The importance of meaningful activities in these environments cannot be overstated.

“While we celebrate the progress made, there is always more to be done. Our commitment to advocating for policies and initiatives that empower older people remains steadfast.”