54 Limerick groups receive funding towards physical activity for older people

THE Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme has providing €13,820 to 54 groups in Limerick. 

The Grant Scheme is a combined initiative from Age & Opportunity and Sport Ireland with funding provided by the Government of Ireland. This year it is providing over €300,000 to support sport and physical activities run by 1,167 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. See the full list of all 54 Limerick groups below.

Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne TD, said: “The funding announcement is very welcome news as the Government endeavours to provide people of all ages with the opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity. The Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme has a positive impact on communities across Ireland and helps to provide opportunities for older people to get involved in sport and physical activity. I want to thank Age & Opportunity for their excellent work and I wish them continued success in their valuable work for communities all across Ireland.”

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. One Nursing Home in Cork is sourcing equipment to continue hosting their annual Olympic Theme Event which they hosted for first time last year with help of the grant. This year they are looking to add golf onto the list of activities.

READ MORE: ‘Craic agus ceol’ as the trad festival Fleadh by the Feale returns to Limerick

Speaking about the grant, Sport Ireland CEO, Dr Úna May commented: Today’s grant funding is helping to create an Ireland where more older people can be more active and more connected. The long-running Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme has proven an excellent resource and I also want to acknowledge our own national network of Local Sports Partnerships who do wonderful work in communities across the country.”

Karen Horgan, CEO of Age & Opportunity, welcomed the ongoing partnership with Sport Ireland. 

“Today’s grant funding is helping us create an Ireland where more older people are more active and more connected. We are delighted to note the number of successful applications from sports clubs who are seeing an increase in the numbers of older people joining their activities. Indeed many of them are specifically organising courses to cater for older persons.” 

“We are also delighted that this year 414 successful applications were from designated disadvantaged areas. In addition, there were 105 successful applications from care settings. The renewed focus on providing meaningful activities in these settings is particularly welcome given the impact that Covid-19 has had on older people in these settings.”

The successful Limerick groups are:

Adare Active Retirement, Adare Mens Shed, ARA na Féile (Abbeyfeale) ARA, Ardagh ICA, Askeaton/Ballysteen ICA, Athlunkard Boat Club, Broadford ICA, Brothers of Charity Services Limerick, Caherdavin & District Actively Retired, Caherdavin & District Men's Shed CLG, Cappagh Handball Club, Cappamore Good2go Hub, Cappamore ICA, Castleconnell Active Social Group, Castlemahon ICA, Crecora ICA, Croom Community Development Association, Croom Family Resource Centre CLG, Doon and District Men's shed, Doon ICA, Dooradoyle Raheen Mens Shed, Drombanna ICA, Family Carers Ireland Limerick, Glenbrohane Community Association, Glenroe Ballyorgan Active Group, Grange ICA, Hospital Family Resource Centre CLG, ICA Castleconnell, Ica Guild Castletroy Limerick, iniscara day center limerick mental health cho3, Irish Wheelchair Association Limerick, Kilcornan Active, Knocklong ARA, Lansdowne Active Retirement Association, Limerick Mental Health Association, Limerick Sports Partnership, Limerick Strand Probus Group, Munster Academy Of Dance, Murroe Marian Social Club, Northside Family Resource Centre, Oola gaa/lgfa healthy clubs, Our Lady of Lourdes Golden Girls Group, Pallasgreen Ladies Club, Patrickswell ARA, Raheen  ARA, Rathkeale Men's Shed, Shannon Dragons, Southill Dining Club, St. Brigids and St Patricks ARA, St Johns Senior Citizens Club, St Michaels DCC CLG, U3A - University of the Third Age, West Limerick Resources CLG, West Limerick Sports Complex.