Older people from Tipperary are voicing their opinions at the Age Friendly Ireland Convention

Over 200 older people from across Ireland are gathering in Tallaght for the 2025 Age Friendly Ireland National Older People’s Councils (OPCs) Convention.

This year’s event places a national spotlight on preventive over reactive healthcare, brain health, and intergenerational solidarity as keys to ageing well.

Older people from Tipperary are attending the two-day event to add their voice in building an inclusive, Age Friendly society where prevention, participation, and intergenerational support are central to how we plan for the future.

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A key highlight was a personal fireside conversation between Brendan Courtney, the Convention’s MC and broadcaster; and Professor Ronan Collins, Age Friendly South Dublin Ambassador, Consultant in Geriatric & Stroke medicine and current RCPI National Clinical Lead for Stroke.

Professor Collins reflected with Brendan on their shared experiences and discussed the urgent need for earlier intervention, community awareness, and open conversations between generations on healthy ageing.

This year’s Convention theme — The Wisdom of Years: A Lifetime of Perspective — was shaped through consultations with older people across Ireland on the issues that matter most to them.

Speaking on the theme of this year’s event, Professor Ronan Collins said:

"Intergenerational solidarity is what’s required for us to age well as a nation. This means equipping younger generations with the knowledge and tools to age well and to play a supportive role in enabling healthy ageing across society.

"This national convention of OPCs is an opportunity for older people to ensure their voices are being heard, so that they can add life to years over just years to life."

Mary MacMahon, a member of the local Tipperary Older People’s Council, added:

"We have heard at the convention this year that ageing well is not about adding years to life, it’s about adding life to years and through our local OPC, we share the wisdom of our years with the next generation.

"With this in mind, I would urge everyone in Tipperary to join their local OPC to ensure they have a say in the policy decisions being made for their future of ageing well.

"This is where your voice can be heard and where your experiences shape the services and policies that affect your daily life."

For more information or to find out how to join your local Older People’s Council, visit www.agefriendlyireland.ie or contact your local authority.