Active Retirement Ireland News
September 2008
What’s inside?
• The review of Active
Retirement Ireland
• Learning from
international experience-
Green Paper on pensions
• Campaign on social
welfare reform – focusing
on women’s right to a
pension
• ‘Older and Bolder’ wins
Public Information Award
• Lifelong learning with ARI
• Somewhere to go and
something to do!
• AONTAS STAR Awards
• ARA activity around the
country
• Dates for your diary
Have your Say
This newsletter is an
opportunity to have your say.
Send us your items of news,
views or photographs and we
will try to include them in the
next edition.
Email us at fara@eircom.net.
Call 01 679 2142 or write to:
Active Retirement Ireland,
Shamrock Chambers
1-2 Eustace Street
Dublin 2
Welcome to the new
ARI News
I am delighted to bring you the first
edition of Active Retirement Ireland’s
(ARI) revised newsletter. Firstly, I would
like to welcome Maria McMullen our
administration support worker who now
works alongside Helene Boran in head
office in Dublin.
Welcome is also sent to Ann O’Brien
who is the new Development Officer for
the Southern Region and Pat Crossan
new Development Officer in the North
East Region.
This issue is designed to give you an
overview of what is happening at
national level as well as news from local
associations. ARI aims to promote well-
being and independent living for older across the country. Celebration and
people through social, physical, lifelong social networking are reduce people’s
learning and cultural activities that are sense of loneliness and isolation. The
managed, planned and delivered by physical activities undertaken are also
older people themselves at local level. wide ranging and include bowls, aqua
aerobics, walking and of courses tea
I am always delighted to get news from
dance.
local groups, which is covered in this
newsletter and shows the great work At national level Active Retirement
that is being done by Active continues to be a voice for older
Retirement Associations (ARA) all people who want to do things for
Contd. inside »
Active Retirement Ireland sets up limited company
Active Retirement Ireland (ARI) is now a
company limited by guarantee which is to
safeguard the financial accountability of the
organisation and create transparency across all
aspects of ARI financial management.
This took place on the 6th of June this year and
it means that the members including directors
are only liable for €1. This legal entity was
created in accordance with the requirements of
the organisation’s main funders.
Contd. inside » First meeting of ARI Directors
2 Active Retirement Ireland News «September 2008»»

Welcome to the new ARI News contd.

themselves. We are very involved in
the planning of phase two of the
Older & Bolder work and see this as a
platform to raise the wider issues that
you as our members are concerned
with. Through Kevin Molloy President
of ARI and his work with AONTAS we
are able to promote the benefits of
the learning activities run by local
ARAs.
We are also very concerned with the
cutbacks from Government and
already our national funding from the
HSE has been cut by 1% as a Value
for Money initiative. Active Retirement
Ireland and the 457 local associations
are one of the largest contributors to
enabling older people to remain living
independently in their homes and
communities. All of this is done on a
shoestring budget.
Finally I hope you enjoy this edition
and I look forward to hearing even
more news from the local ARAs for
the next edition in 2009.
Maureen Kavanagh CEO ARI.
Active Retirement Ireland sets up limited company contd.
As part of our financial accountability the organisation must now comply with
company law on areas such as annual reports and returns. The company will
have the 10 elected members of ARI national executive as its members with
seven directors one of whom is Chairperson and one being company secretary.
The first meeting of the Directors took place on 18th July 2008 to nominate the
Chairperson and Secretary.
The national executive of ARI will not be affected by this and will continue to be
comprised of the President, Vice-President, PRO, Secretary, Treasurer, five
ordinary elected members who are all elected at the ARI AGM, the eight Regional
Chairs and the CEO who does not have voting powers.
The review of Active Retirement Ireland
Partnership Solutions have completed • Develop and maintain an IT database,
phase one of the review and planning for • Design and implement an organisation
ARI. The review phase found that ARI structure,
should be proud of our aspirations as an • Generate new sources of funding,
organisation and that the organisation is • Strengthen and build the network
grounded in its members. However to within the organisation.
more effective in future development • These six areas will form the six main
there are a number of tensions that we pillars for the new strategic plan.
must be aware of and the organisation This work is being funded by Atlantic
must address the following areas: Philantrophies.
• Agree a unity of purpose,
• Improve our communication
effectiveness internally and externally,

healthier and living longer. Campaign on Social Welfare

Welfare
The future for social welfare
and pensions
A number of seminars were held
around the country in February and
March to hear people’s views on issues
relating to social welfare, occupational,
private and public sector pensions.
A conference held in Dublin Castle on
29th May 2008 marked the end of the
consultation process and gave people
a chance to hear from international
speakers with experience of different
pension systems. Over 250
submissions had been received by the
closing date in June.
Life expectancy has increased and it is
now recognised that people are
Unfortunately those responsible for
formulating policy did not take this on
board and seem to be bemoaning the
fact that we are all living longer and
healthier lives in retirement thus costing
the Exchequer more money. Will new
ways be devised to keep us all working
longer – instead of recognising the
huge contribution we make as
volunteers and community people. I
came away from this conference feeling
very positive about being a healthy,
happy retiree.
By Breda Dunlea PRO ARI
reform – focusing on women’s
right to a pension
The National Women’s Council has
been campaigning to end
discrimination against women in the
social welfare system. They have been
promoting this campaign for the past
year in different parts of the country.
The main basis of the campaign is the
fact that the social welfare system
denies women full independence.
Older Women’s experience of the Irish
pension system highlights the
cumulative effect of discrimination
against women in Irish society. Women
have made enormous contributions to
families, working life and society
through their care work and
contribution to family farms and
businesses. Women have experienced
deep frustration and anger on reaching
their older years and realising they will
spend them at risk of poverty. Women
struggle to survive in older years and
the indignity of not receiving incomes in
their own right.
Contd. »
 «September 2008»» Active Retirement Ireland News 3

For the National Women’s Council of

Ireland highlighting the discrimination
which women experience is essential to Somewhere to go
reforming policy so as to achieve and something to do!
equality for women in Irish society.

For further information or to get involved The Irish Aid Centre on O’Connell
in the campaign contact Street Dublin
Valerie O’ Carroll on (087)6724785 Groups are encouraged to visit the
or e-mail: valerieoc@nwci.ie Irish Aid Centre to learn more about
development and the international
and Irish response to global
development challenges. A group
visit which last about 1.5 hours
includes 45 minutes in the multi-
media exhibition and a 45 minute
workshop on how to deepen your
understanding of how Irish aid
projects work.

Groups who are interested in taking

up a visit should contact Irish Aid
Volunteering and Information Centre
on Lo Call number: (1890) 252676
Or email: irishaidcentre@dfa.ie

Campaign on Social Welfare reform

Older and Bolder wins Public

Information Award
Montague Communications won the
award for best Public Information
Campaign at this years Excellence in
Public Relations Awards. The award,
which was presented by the Public
Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII), was
for Montague’s Older and Bolder
campaign which advocated for greater
awareness and policy change around
issues related to older people.

Receiving the award Managing Director

Pat Montague said: “I am delighted to
receive this award. Key to the success
of this campaign was the productive
working relationships developed with
key stakeholder groups in the ageing
sector and the commitment of the
client, Atlantic Philanthropies, to
supporting our work. We are now
working on the next phase of the
campaign and this is a great boost to
the team involved.” Older and Bolder wins Public Information Award

Active Retirement Ireland will continue
to be an active member of the Older &
Bolder phase 2 representing the views
and concerns of our members.
Key outcomes from the campaign
included the Government’s agreement
to develop a National Positive Ageing
Strategy and the establishment of a
Minister of State for Older People.
Ramsgrange ARA have expressed
concern about a report from the BBC
about a warning that it appears that
doctors in the UK are ignoring drugs
being administered to patients suffering
from dementia which are having serious
side effects. This concern has been
raised at the Older & Bolder campaign
on their behalf.
4 Active Retirement Ireland News «September 2008»»

Health

Boosting confidence through Therapeutic Hand Care Service

Often people who have been ill or who A Training Course

are still feeling positive can lose is also run over
intereste in their appearance. One of one day in
the ways to get people back on track is Therapeutic Hand
through the Therapeutic Hand Care Care. On
Service provided by the Irish Red successful
Cross. This organisation’s volunteers completion of the
are trained to give hand massage course as
and/or a manicure to both men and volunteers they
women in care centres and in peoples offer the free
homes. service to people
in care or in their
The hand massage aspect of the homes.
service is also provided at information
and awareness days for a variety of Further information on the service and
groups. The service is provided free of the cost of the training course is
charge although the Irish Red Cross is available from your local Irish Red
grateful for donations to cover the cost Cross Branch phone (01) 642 4600 or
of products. email info@redcross.ie.

The Irish Heart Even if you have arthritis you

Foundations
Irish Heart
Week
This years Irish Heart Week will focus
on blood pressure and keeping it at a
healthy level. Organised by Irish Heart
Foundations the campaign will
emphasise how important it is to know
your blood pressure level and to keep
it at a normal level to reduce the overall
risk of heart disease and stroke. Irish
Heart Week 2008 runs from September
22nd - 28th.
For more information or to order the
free Heart Week materials (magazine,
poster, and leaflets) for your members,
contact Catherine Sexton (01) 668
5001 or email:
heartweek@irishheart.ie
can exercises according to
new DVD and book
‘Be Active with Arthritis’ is a
new exercise programme tailor-made
by Arthritis Ireland for people with
arthritis.
This is the first of its kind, enabling
people with arthritis to maintain and
improve their mobility and overall well-
being by using the step-by-step DVD
and book in the comfort of their home.
Arthritis Ireland recruited the support of
four people with arthritis to
demonstrate the exercises in the DVD
and book; they were led by senior
physiotherapist, Emer McAuliffe. The
team are delighted to now add this
easy to follow exercise DVD to their The book and DVD are available from
support tools. They do note that the Arthritis Ireland at a cost of €22
exercises in the programme are based including post and packaging by
on best practise, but warn that people calling (01) 6618188 or by visiting the
should discuss their exercise plan with online shop on www.arthritisireland.ie
their GP or physiotherapist to rule out All proceeds go to Arthritis Ireland to
any reason why they may not help make a difference to the lives of
participate. the 714,000 people with arthritis.

New found mobility and freedom - a personal view on
Due to a heart lung condition my
mobility function has deteriorated to
where going upstairs has become a
problem for me. I applied to my local
Health Service Executive (HSE) board
for a stairlift and a walk-in-shower.
They sent an occupational therapist
(OT) to visit me and she approved my
application and advised me about
grant availability from my local county
council, for which I applied enclosing
the OT report. An engineer came and
approved the claim and I duly got two
tenders for the work. I was advised by
the County Council that a 90% grant
was approved for the work.
My children and I decided
that I should get a
mobility scooter and I sent
for and got a leaflet
about them. While
looking at it on
the day it
arrived which
happened to
be a Monday
Lifelong learning
Lifelong learning with ARI
Earlier this year a meeting took place
aimed at older adult learners who
wanted to discuss their issues and look
at working together to improve adult
education provision for older people in
Ireland. Organised by AONTAS the
National Adult Learning Organisation.
The meeting which attracted 72 people
saw participants share experiences as
older learners and challenges facing
them also identifying issues for older
learners.
«September 2008»» Active Retirement Ireland News
the OT called in to see me and spotted
the leaflet, I told her that we were going
to buy one and she said that she could
get me one through the HSE. On the
following Friday she arrived at my
house with a delivery van from which a
scooter was unloaded and the driver /
instructor showed me how to operate it,
he spent an hour with me going around
my town to all the places I would visit in
a normal day. Being satisfied that I
could drive the scooter safely he and
the OT left it with me to practice on
over the week end. It was great to have
the freedom to be able to go around the
place without having to ask for a lift.
On the Monday morning the OT called
to see if I wanted to keep the scooter,
to be honest she wouldn’t have been
able to prise it away from me with a
crowbar.
Now I come and go as I please it’s a
new lease of life for me and I’m
enjoying it immensely.
While on holiday with my ARA recently
The importance of this event cannot be
over ephasised as less than 8% of Irish
adults between the ages of 25 and 64
participate in adult education and
training as compared with EU average
of 11%. No statistics are available for
64 plus years, but the participation by
members of Active Retirement
members at this meeting suggests a
desire for Life Long Learning.
A presentation on ‘What is happening in
adult education for older learners?’ was
delivered by Adele McKenna AONTAS
and one older learners experience from
Ger ONeill [New Ross]. The meeting
was also addressed by Bernie Brady
Director AONTAS and Louise
Richardson CEO Older Womens
Network. ARI people attending included
Kevin Molloy President ARI, Betty
O’Flynn National Executive Member
5
in the UK I saw and spoke to people
who were riding fold-up scooters that
can fit in the boot of your car and can
be taken on aircraft. I phoned the
company which supplied the scooters
and five days later had a fold-up
scooter delivered to my home from the
UK. This will give me greater freedom
as I now can take my scooter to Dublin
on the bus or train. The down side to
this is that I don’t have an excuse not to
accompany my wife on shopping trips!
The address of the company that
supplied my fold-up scooter is;
Aquasoothe Ltd., Howben
House, 55 Waverley Road,
Sale, Cheshire
M33 7 A Y, U.K.
Phone no: 0044 8458
63 8363. Fax; 0044
161 973 99 88
or
Email: sales@
aquasoothe.com
www.aquasoothe.com
Tom O’ Mahony VIP ARI
and 35 members from the following
ARAs; Limerick City, Castlebar,
Donegal, Westport, Salthill, Gorey, Birr,
Tullamore, Barna, Listowel and District,
Knocknacarra, Gort, Ballinasloe,
Cliffoney and Pallasgreen.
6 Active Retirement Ireland News «September 2008»»

ARA activity around the country

Cahir Active Retirement Association ARAs in the Southeast region

have organised a trip to Vilamoura on
the Algarve in Portugal for September
14th 2008 for 1 week. All members of
the association are welcome and
members from other ARAs can also
go if they wish. This is Cahir ARA’s
first venture abroad as a group and
they hope to make it an annual event.
For further information contact Ted
Clarke PRO in Cahir ARA.
are very active in delivering a
huge range of activities that
include swimming, line
dancing, walking, Tai Chi,
computer classes, language
classes, tea dances, art, yoga.
It is also having guest speakers
to its meetings including
historians, librarians, health
related areas and an Garda. Wicklow ARA at the Dail

Kilrane Rosslare Harbour Active
Retirement Association has a drama
group running along with Bowls and
whist. They are also planning to go to
the Costa Brava in October which
includes trips to Barcelona.
Kinsale ARA ran a programme of events from 1st May to 27th May as
part of the Bealtaine Festival. Events included the Alzheimer’s Tea Day
–The Big Brew, Trips to Bantry, Poetry reading and painting. The week
finished with the Gala Maytime Festival Tea Dance. A great festival was
had by all who attended.

Charlestown ARA has fostered a

great scheme with the local
businesses. Local businesses have
agreed to display the Active
Retirement logo in their windows or at
the checkouts. These businesses then
give a discount to ARA customers on
production of their membership card.
This has not only promoted the
Charlestown ARA but also encourages
members to carry and use their
membership card. Charlestown ARA
would like to know how this scheme is
doing in other areas so as to compare
notes. Kinsale ARA at the Dail

Ballycommon ARA Co Offaly meet every

Wednesday evening and hold activities such
as talks, attending concerts, bingo, cards, tea
evenings as well as outings. Physical activities
such as walking are done with a qualified
instructor. Art is also very popular with the
members. Ballycommon organise an annual
holiday and have covered the four corners of
Ireland. Congratulations to Maureen Finlay
who is chair of the Midland region and a
member of this association on achieving her
Diploma in Community Development and
Leadership from University College Galway.

Two senior members of Ballycommon ARA

have celebrated special birthdays. Kathleen
Cuskelly was 96 and Mary Dunne 94.
Congratulations to both. Ballycommon ARA Birhtyday Celebrations

Portlaoise 50+ Active Age Group meet
every Wednesday in the local Parish
Centre from September to June. Once a
month they hold a day for dancing,
another for sport and on other
Wednesdays they host a wide range of
different events. Trips abroad have
included visits to Austria and Wales and
they hope to organise a trip to France in
September. This very active group have
participated in the Bealtaine Festival. This
year 50+ Active Age ran a European day
with members of other E.U countries
resident in their community. Pupils from
the local Scoil Criost Ri Transition year
assisted by making all 27 flags and gave a
synopsis of each country.
Birr ARA is off to the Punchestown Races
for the Halloween festival following up on
information sent from head office. Surely
fancy dress will be the order for the day.
Birr also organised craft and story telling
sessions during the Bealtaine festival in
May where local school children provided
entertainment as well.
Cairde ARA in Rathwire, Killucan have
formed a Bridge Club and are looking for
new members. Please contact Cairde
Killucan Area Services.
Sacred Heart ARA in Waterford are
organising their annual Golden Years
Festival on 17th 18th and 19th November
2008 in the Tower Hotel. Founded by Anna
Manahan and run each year since 2004 by
Peig Tebay and Babs Murphy the three
days are guaranteed to be great fun.
Activities include the Official opening by
the Mayor on the 17th, a talent
competition, dancing, going to the dogs
for racing of course and on 19th a day of
party pieces and singing in City Hall
followed by the gala dinner. This event has
proved to be so popular that it is advised
to book now for 2009.
Portarlington Happy Hearts Club meets
weekly in the Social Services Centre in
Portarlington. They organise activities
ranging from flower arranging, line dancing
to bowls. Their physical activities also
extend to ring tossing, skittles and bean-
bag activities. Many of the members avail
of computer classes and some members
are working on a patchwork quilt. The
group keep themselves busy, exercised
and knowledgeable and most importantly
they have great fun and friendship.
«September 2008»» Active Retirement Ireland News 7
Cloghan ARA in Birr held a celebration night for the Bealtaine Festival in May.
A great night was had by all.
Cloghan Bealtaine celebration
Mountmellick ARA have a great week penned by ARA member George
of events planned for the Age Action Harmon.
Positive Ageing week in September.
Starting with a photograph exhibition, News from the North East Region
their activities during the week will First a Date for your diary, tea dance
include dancing workshops, art 3.30pm. Sunday 2nd November,
exhibitions, a gala concert and a Kilmore Hotel, Cavan. All are
family day. The week will be officially welcome and tea and sandwiches
launched by John Moloney Minister of will be provided.
State at the Mountmellick Credit
A successful Regional Meeting on
Union offices on 15th September.
Thursday 27th. June was held in the
Mountmellick sounds like the place to
S.H.A.R.E. Holiday Village just
be during that week.
outside Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh.
This holiday village is run by
Gorey ARA,
Fermanagh County Council for the
organised a
benefit of various voluntary
Bealtaine Festival
organisations. It is on the shores of
over two days in
upper Lough Erne. 45 Members
May. This followed
from groups from all over the region
from the success of
attended. At the meeting form ARI
the one day event in
were Kevin Molloy President and
2007. Who knows
Maureen Kavanagh C.E.O. gave an
what 2009 will bring,
update on what is happening at
plans are already in Kevin Molloy of
Gorey ARA and head office. The Meeting was then
place. This years
thrown open for general discussion.
Festival took place at Chairman of ARI
The main point discussed was the
The Ashdown Park Hotel Gorey and
inconsistency of rural transport in
included activities such as card
the various Counties, from a good
making, needle craft and flower
service to none at all. Also the fact
arranging. The association finished
of living near the Border brought
day one with a short play written and
problems as regarding access to
produced by the ARA members. Day
medical services etc. Lunch was
two covered the art of gardening as
provided in the restaurant, and
well as a session on the history of
then a very pleasant cruise
Gorey. The ARA closed the festival
on Lough Erne,
with “Holy Smoke” another drama
with a bar on board.

Useful information
How do you welcome new
members to your ARA
Following from the article about Active
Retirement Ireland in the Irish
Independent Supplement on Positive
Ageing on 16th July we have had a
large amount of queries from people
wanting to join local ARAs. Many are
joining for the first time and expressed
concerns about going to the centre
and not knowing anyone. These are
very genuine fears that people have
and it would be nice to know that
ARAs have a policy for welcoming
new members.
Some ARAs hold open coffee
mornings where new and longstanding
members can mingle and get to know
each other. Others ask new members
to come early to a meeting where they
are reassured by committee members
The views and opinons expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of ARI.
Active Retirement Ireland News
Email us at fara@eircom.net
Call 01 679 2142
or write to: Active Retirement Ireland, Shamrock Chambers 1-2 Eustace Street Dublin 2
AONTAS STAR Awards
The STAR awards which recognises collaboration and teamwork in
adult education projects are open for entries. Has your ARA been
involved in a collaborative project with an agency or school or other?
If so why not nominate it for a STAR award. The closing date for
nominations is 14th November 2008.
For further information see www.aontas.com.
that they are welcome and their ideas
will be looked at. What do you do ?
Please let me know and we can
perhaps develop something like a Dates for your diary
welcome pack that each ARA could
have for new members.
• ARI General Council meeting 28th
October in Green Isle Hotel Dublin 22
Do you have a ‘personal
information pack in your fridge? • ARI AGM Lynch Clare Inn Co Clare
The ‘personal information
April 20th -21st 2009
pack (PIP) pack is • Age Action Positive Ageing Week 26th
My Information
available from your September to the 4th October
chemist and should • AONTAS Adult Learners Festival 2nd to
be kept in the door of
6th February 2009
your fridge. An indicator
sticker is placed on the • Active Retirement Ireland Art Exhibition
jamb of the front door thus alerting the 17th to 21st November 2008 in the EU
emergency services that a PIP is in office on Dawson Street Dublin 2
your fridge. The PIP needs to contain • ARA Go On festival run by the Western
your photo, your medical history and Region of ARI on 5th & 6th November in
current medical details. Bundoran
• Golden Years festival in Waterford on
Put ‘In Case Emergency’ into 17th, 18th & 19th November 2008
your mobile phone!
• AONTAS adult education conference
It is good practice to put ‘In
21st October see www.aontas.com
Case Emergency’ (ICE) into
your mobile phone along • National Council on Ageing and Older
with the name and People Seminar on Meals on Wheels;
number of a contact Food for Thought 6th November
person as the Sheraton Hotel Athlone
emergency services personnel will
check your phone for an ICE number.