Age & Opportunity

16/06/2026

We are delighted to offer Changing Gears in Kilkenny this July and August 2026.

Changing Gears is an in person course, which supports people in dealing with transitions or significant life-challenges (retirement, bereavement, job-loss, ill health, becoming a carer, relationship breakdown) in mid to later life. Its aim is to help participants to identify what has served them well so far in life, the successes and challenges they have experienced, what supports they have in their lives and what they may need to put in place, and/or discard, for the next stage of life. It takes place over five weeks and is a facilitated group experience that uses a blend of personal reflection, worksheets, and small group sharing, in a safe environment.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸?
Changing Gears runs over 5 weeks with weekly sessions of 2 ½ hours. It offers participants time to:
– Develop skills and techniques build resilience and confidence in managing life-changes or transitions
– Reframe change as opportunity with positive options and also challenging negative stereotypes about ageing.

Venue: Kilkenny Mayfair Library, Parliament Street, Kilkenny R95 N23R
Dates: Thursdays 16, 23, 30 July and 6, 13 August 2026
Times: 11.00 to 13.30 (which includes a comfort break with tea and coffee)

To book your place please contact Fiona at [email protected] or call on 01 9133922.

𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗦𝗘 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲. 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.

HSE Ireland Kilkenny County Council Library Service Irish Men's Sheds Association Active Retirement Ireland Irish Countrywomen's Association (ICA)

15/06/2026

Happy Men's Health Week!

At Age & Opportunity, we're very proud of our Walking Football initiative — and it's going from strength to strength!

Walking Football is a brilliant way to keep active, look after your wellbeing, and enjoy some great company. You don’t need to worry about your level of experience or fitness - everyone is welcome to join and you’ve nothing to lose – it’s free to all participants.

We’re running Walking Football sessions every Wednesday until 8th July 2026 in Tallaght, Dublin 24 — if you’d like to join in send an email to: [email protected]

We’d also like to hear if you or your group would like to participate in future courses – drop an email to the address above to register your interest.


HSE Ireland Sport Ireland Active South Dublin SDCC Men's Health Forum in Ireland

11/06/2026

Age & Opportunity, in partnership with Active South Dublin, is seeking expressions of interest from adults aged 55+ who would like to participate in our Walking Football initiative at Esker Celtic FC, Lucan, Dublin. The initiative consists of weekly sessions, each lasting approximately 1.5 hours, over a five-week period.

Walking football is a fun, non-contact sport aimed at older people aged 55 and above. It offers significant physical and mental health benefits. As a team-based activity it’s a great way to socialise and meet others.

Walking football is a safe and accessible sport and can be played by anyone, even if you have never played football before.

Why Join?
- Improves your fitness, balance and coordination
- Boost your mental health and mood
- Make new friends and be part of a team
- Enjoy a safe, supportive and inclusive environment
- Share a cuppa and a chat after every session
- Led by trained coaches

Book your free spot:
Email: [email protected] or Phone: 01 913 3943

Sport Ireland HSE Ireland

09/06/2026

Age & Opportunity is the national organisation working to enhance wellbeing for older people through participation in sport and physical activity, arts and creative engagement, personal development, community collaboration and active citizenship.

Our mission is to create opportunities that empower older people to enhance individual and community wellbeing through participation in physical activity and recreational sport, arts and creativity, personal development and active citizenship initiatives.

Age & Opportunity Active is the national sport and physical activity Programme for older people funded by Sport Ireland and the HSE. The Programme is designed to get us more active.

We are looking for an Administrator (part-time) for our Active Programme FitLine initiative, a free telephone support service, delivered by volunteer mentors, who encourage older people to start being physically active and maintain physical activity as part of their daily lives.

The requirements for the Active Programme FitLine Administrator are outlined here: https://ow.ly/HjVz50Z9hAf.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the national programme of physical activity for older people, working in a very rewarding and diverse role. For further information on Age & Opportunity and our Active Programme, visit https://ow.ly/InRx50Z9hAe

𝗧𝗼 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆:
Please send your CV and cover letter to Audrey Farrell, HR Executive, at [email protected] by 12noon on Monday 22nd June 2026. Please put FitLine Administrator in the title of your email.

Interviews will be held in person in Dublin on Tuesday 7th July. No other dates can be facilitated. Shortlisting will apply. Age & Opportunity is an equal opportunities employer. Garda vetting is required for this position.

HSE Ireland Sport Ireland

04/06/2026

Our friends at Photo Museum Ireland are offering an armchair edition of the Azure Dementia Friendly tour, taking place online on Thursday 25th June – book your spot here: https://photomuseumireland.ie/event_workshop/azure-dementia-friendly-tour-of-shane-hynan-beneath-beofhod-exhibition-armchair-edition-online-event/

Azure originated through collaboration between Age & Opportunity; The Alzheimer Society of Ireland; the Butler Gallery; and IMMA - Irish Museum of Modern Art. More information about this initiative can be found on our website here: https://ageandopportunity.ie/engage/azure-dementia-friendly-tours/

Our armchair edition of the Azure Dementia friendly tour of the Beneath | Beofhód exhibition is now open for booking.

🔺 12-1pm Thursday 25 June 2026
🔺 Online using the Zoom platform

Azure is a free experience designed for people living with dementia and their families, friends and carers. During Azure, you will explore artworks from Photo Museum Ireland's current exhibition with a facilitator who has received Azure training in dementia-inclusive arts programming.

To book 👉 https://photomuseumireland.ie/event_workshop/azure-dementia-friendly-tour-of-shane-hynan-beneath-beofhod-exhibition-armchair-edition-online-event/

Beneath | Beofhód runs until 5 July 2026.

Beneath | Beofhód is supported by the Arts Council of Ireland, Kildare Arts Service, Roscommon Arts Centre, and the Photo Museum Ireland Artist Development Residency.



The Source Arts Centre Galway International Arts Festival Roscommon Arts Centre Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny Arts in Co Kildare Dublin City Council The Heritage Council The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon Age & Opportunity Alzheimer's Society

Image: Wet bog after prolonged rain, Ballydermot bog group, County Kildare, 2021, from the series Beneath | Beofhód (2017-2026) © Shane Hynan

03/06/2026

Are you an older person with experience of volunteering? Would you like to share your views on your volunteering experience?

The Sport Ireland: Diversify the Volunteer Base in Sport study is a sector-wide, evidence-based review of volunteer needs. The aim is to understand the experiences of volunteers from every background so they can build a system that truly reflects Ireland today. More about the study here: https://ow.ly/r4GV50Z753i

The research team are inviting older people with experience of volunteering to participate in a focus group session online on Monday 8th of June at 2 PM. The aim of the focus group is to ensure the voices of older people are captured within the research.

To register for the focus group session, send an email to: [email protected]

Sport Ireland Irish Men's Sheds Association Active Retirement Ireland Irish Countrywomen's Association (ICA)

29/05/2026

We are delighted to offer Walking Football every Wednesday from 10th June to 8th July 2026 in Dublin.

Walking football is a fun, non-contact sport aimed at older people aged 55 and above. It offers significant physical and mental health benefits. As a team-based activity it's a great way to socialise and meet others.

Walking football is a safe and accessible sport and can be played by anyone, even if you have never played football before.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻?
- Improves your fitness, balance and coordination
- Boost your mental health and mood
- Make new friends and be part of a team
- Enjoy a safe, supportive and inclusive environment
- Share a cuppa and a chat after every session
- Led by trained coaches

𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀: Every Wednesday from 10th June – 8th July 2026
𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲: 10.00 am – 11.00 am
𝗩𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲: Belgard Community Centre, Old Belgard Road, D24 YK38

Book your free spot today bye email to: [email protected] or Phone: 01 913 3943

HSE Ireland Sport Ireland Active South Dublin SDCC

27/05/2026

Flagship Weekend Highlights 🎉✨

Bealtaine Festival’s closing weekend at the Project Arts Centre is packed with standout events across literature, music, dance, film and conversation, a vibrant celebration of creativity at every age.

Take part in workshops, catch film screenings, join walking tours, or simply drop in and soak up the atmosphere across Temple Bar, all leading up to our end-of-festival celebration at 6 O’Clock Rock with Sing Along Social.

📍 Project Arts Centre & venues across Temple Bar
📅 28th – 30th May

Spaces are limited across events! Book now or pop by and be part of the final weekend of Bealtaine 2026. Visit https://bealtaine.ie/



Bealtaine Festival HSE Ireland The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon

22/05/2026

Applications are now open!
Age & Opportunity, in association with Pavee Point Traveller & Roma Centre, is delighted to announce the Award for an Older Traveller Artist 2026 .

Now in its second year, this award celebrates and supports the vital contribution of contemporary Traveller culture, recognising the everyday creativity of older Traveller artists and makers.

The award offers €1000 to support your creative practice.
Deadline: 12 noon, Thursday 18th June 2026
In order to be eligible you must:
• Be aged 40+
• Identify as Irish Traveller or of Traveller heritage
• Be based in the Republic of Ireland
• Be actively engaged in creative practice
More information at https://ageandopportunity.ie/open-call-older-traveller-artist-award-2026/

Bealtaine Festival HSE IrelandThe Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon Pavee Point

21/05/2026

A wonderful reflection here from Bealtaine Festival Ambassador Mike Hanrahan🩷

Mike and fellow Ambassador Liz McManus will be kicking off our Bealtaine Festival flagship events at Project Arts Centre on Thursday 28th May – we’re so excited for Retired? You Must Be Joking!

Find out more about our national celebration of the arts and ageing - visit https://bealtaine.ie/

HSE Ireland The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon