Press release

President McAleese launches Positive Ageing Week 2009

25th September 2009: President Mary McAleese today launched Age Action's Positive Ageing Week 2009, beginning nine days of exhibitions, dances and parties to celebrate the contribution of older people in Irish society.

Over 650 events will take place as part of the national celebration, which is organised by Age Action and sponsored by ESB Customer Supply for the sixth consecutive year. The events run to October 3rd.

The event was hosted in ESB Head Office and the President entered through House 29 where she was given a tour.

Age Action chief executive Robin Webster said, that ageing is frequently presented as a negative experience.

"The aim of the week is to demonstrate the fact that we are all living longer, healthier lives and this is something to be celebrated," he added.

"Communities and older people's groups across the country have made the week their own. It has grown beyond all our expectations over the last seven years. The energy, imagination and fun evident from this year's calendar of events clearly demonstrate that older people are enjoying life and have much to offer their local communities. Coming at a time of economic downturn, we are hoping these celebrations can help lift the national spirit. We warmly welcome the support we have received from ESB Customer Supply. Without it we would not be able to put on such a country-wide celebration," Mr Webster said.

ESB Chief Executive, Padraig McManus, said Irish society owes a great debt to the older generations. However, that full debt of respect is not always realized and there is an obligation to provide older people with the dignity, care and peace of mind that they deserve.

"Age Action Ireland focuses on that need and raises consciousness about the imperative of caring for our senior citizens be it through direct care by the State or the family or through good neighbourliness", he added.

This year there are 10 Positive Ageing Week towns which are organising a week-long programme of events. The towns are: Arklow; Athy; Boyle; Drogheda; Dublin; Dungarvan; Galway; Midleton; Sligo; and Tullamore.

Ends

Subscribe

RSS feed | What's an RSS feed?

Press contacts

Press Office
t: +353 1 676 5831

Public Affairs Manager

Maol Muire Tynan
t: + 353 1 702 7309
e: maolmuire.tynan@esb.ie

Press Officers

Sinead Bruton
t: + 353 1 702 7570
e: sinead.bruton@esb.ie

Kieran O'Neill
t: + 353 1 702 6193
e: kieran.oneill@esb.ie