News
Carlow: Join the Age-Friendly AI workshop in Carlow
Age-Friendly AI will host an interactive training workshop in Carlow Central Library, Carlow on June 12.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has increasingly become part of our everyday life – from predictive text on our smartphones to personalised recommendations we receive while shopping online.
Following a year of public dialogue that explored people’s hopes, concerns and perspectives on AI, the Age-Friendly AI Initiative is now delivering a co-developed training programme with and for older adults across Ireland through public libraries.
No prior knowledge or experience with Artificial Intelligence is required to join the event – everyone is welcome.
What to Expect from the Event
In this session, you will:
- Learn what AI is and where it appears in everyday life.
- Explore how AI is shaping different areas.
- Understand both the benefits and risks of AI.
After the workshop, participants are invited to stay and experience AI in a hands-on and a welcoming environment.
The AI activities will include:
- ‘Spirit of the Radio’ – a vintage radio with a modern twist
- Try to can spot the difference between human art and AI art with the Art or AI exhibit
- See how your voice can control a lamp
What is AI?
Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is when technology is designed to do tasks that usually need human thinking, like finding patterns in huge amounts of information – it is used on your phone, for example in predictive texting or in online shopping for making suggestions.
How to Join
The event is free of charge. Registrations are handled directly through the local library. If you wish to register for the workshop, send an email to Carlow Central Library at library@carlowcoco.ie or call 059 912 9705.
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Bord Bia Bloom × Meaghers Pharmacy
Our sponsors, Meaghers Pharmacy are pleased to share information on their involvement with Bord Bia Bloom, if you are planning to visit Bloom in the Phoenix Park from Thursday 28th May to Monday 1st June be sure to visit the Wellness Village and let them know you are a member of the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament
Bord Bia Bloom is Ireland’s largest gardening, food, and family festival — and this year, Meaghers Pharmacy is proud to introduce the first‑ever dedicated wellness space: the Meaghers 360° Wellness Village.
Across the weekend, our expert team and wellness partners will be on hand to answer your questions on skincare, gut health, energy, women’s health, and more.
Visit the Meaghers Wellness Village to:
- Get personalised advice from pharmacists and wellness specialists
- Attend short, practical talks on everyday health topics
- Discover exclusive offers from our favourite brands
Pick up simple, effective tips to support your daily wellbeing.
Bloom Weekend Schedule
Thursday May 28th
10:00 – 10:45: The Key Pillars of Health & Wellbeing with Miriam Hussey
11:00 – 11:45: Breathwork/Yoga with Miriam Hussey
12:00 – 12:45: Gut Health: The Science, the Stories & the Support with Oonagh O’Hagan, Victoria Spillane (CCI), Sarah Keogh (CSI)
13:00 – 13:30: Move & Glow with Orla Hopkins
14:00 – 14:45: The Post-Menopause Reset: Supporting Your Health at Every Age with Laura Dowling
15:00 – 15:30: Modern Men’s Health: The Checks Every Man Should Make with Dr Martin O’Rourke, Daniel Jones
16:00 – 16:45: Ageing Well: The Science of Staying Strong in Body, Brain & Metabolism with Prof Niall Moyna, Prof John Nolan, Lorna Regan
17:00 – 17:30: Move & Glow with Orla Hopkins
Friday May 29th
10:00 – 10:45: Bridging the Gap: How Food Supplements Can Support Everyday Health with Gordon Lott, Meg Esser, Jo (Minami)
11:00 – 11:45: Breathwork/Yoga with Miriam with Miriam Hussey
12:00 – 12:45: Gut Health: The Science, the Stories & the Support with Roisin Cahill, Victoria Spillane (CCI), Oonagh O’Hagan
13:00 – 13:30: Ageing Well: The Science of Staying Strong in Body, Brain & Metabolism with Prof Niall Moyna, Prof John Nolan
14:00 – 14:45: Move & Glow with Orla Hopkins
15:00 – 15:30: The Skin You’re In: Healthy, Glowing Skin at Every Age with Jennifer Rock
16:00 – 16:45: Obesity & GLP1’s with Prof Donal O’Shea
17:00 – 17:30: Move & Glow with Orla Hopkins
Saturday May 30th
10:00 – 10:45: Chat & Morning Breathwork – Whole Health, One Breath at a Time with Clare McKenna
11:00 – 11:45: Reset & Rise: A Practical Toolkit for Resilience, Confidence & Clarity with Mark Fennell
12:00 – 12:45: Movement & Pilates Flow with Jennifer Earles
13:00 – 13:30: A Focus on Men’s Health with Mark Fennell, Martin O’Rourke, Laura Dowling
14:00 – 14:45: Female Health & Hormones: The Connection Women Need to Know with Dr Mary Ryan
15:00 – 15:30: Gut Health: The Science, the Stories & the Support with Oonagh O’Hagan, Victoria Spillane (CCI)
16:00 – 16:45: GLP-1s & the Future of Weight and Wellness: Facts, Myths & Next Steps with Prof Donal O’Shea
17:00 – 17:30: Movement & Pilates Flow with Jennifer Earles
Sunday May 31st
10:00 – 10:45: Move & Bloom with Dee with Dee Murphy Fitness
11:00 – 11:45: Reconnecting in a Disconnected World: The Science of Human Connection with Brian Pennie
12:00 – 12:45: Gut Health & Inflammation: The Hidden Connection Shaping Your Wellbeing with Dr Daniel Jones, Oonagh O’Hagan
13:00 – 13:30: Feel Good Dance Flow with Ecofitness
14:00 – 14:45: Female Health & Hormones: The Connection Women Need to Know with Dr Sonja Bobart, Dr Mary Ryan, Aoife Ni Eochaidh
15:00 – 15:30: Strong, Not Perfect: Building a Body (and Mind) That Works for Real Life with Sarah Catterson
16:00 – 16:45: Stronger for Longer: The Science of Healthy Ageing with Prof Niall Moyna
17:00 – 17:30: Yoga with Ita with Yoga by Ita
Monday June 1st
10:00 – 10:45: Morning Movement with Lorna O’Regan
11:00 – 11:45: Gut Health & Inflammation: The Hidden Connection Shaping Your Wellbeing with Dr Daniel Jones, Roisin Cahill
12:00 – 12:45: Glow & Grow: Daily Habits for Healthier Skin and Hair with Jennifer Rock & Anita Donoghue
13:00 – 13:30: Line Dancing with Ecofitness
14:00 – 14:45: Ask the Professionals – Q&A with Dr Sonja Bobart, Dr Lisa Hynes (Croi)
15:00 – 15:30: Elevating Irish Wellness Brands with Modern Botany, Naze, Gigi
16:00 – 16:45: The Big Bloom Finale with Lorna O’Regan
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50 Plus Show Limerick – Greenhills Hotel – 12th & 13th May
Our team are unable to attend the Limerick show this time around as our APM takes place on 13th May.
For any members not travelling to our APM we thoroughly recommend you attend the show in Limerick. We received great feedback from those who attended the show in RDS in March. Spread the word with your friends and network.
The organisers, Senior Times, have provided this invite link: https://seniortimes.ie/50-plus-expo/
The link gives instructions on how to register, it is free for those who register.
The organisers will be charging €5 at the door for those who do not register. They have provided email and phone number for anybody who has any issues in registering.
You can email Senior Times using this link: Email us here or email brian@slp.ie or call 01 496 9028
SHAME ON THIS GOVERNMENT, IT IS NOW TIME TO CALL THEM OUT FOR THEIR DISREGARD OF RETIRED WORKERS
This is the response of Pat Mellon, CEO Irish Senior Citizens Parliament (ISCP), to a decision by the Cabinet to refuse a Money Message to a Bill that would give retired workers a voice at the table when their pension income is being cut.
The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment headed by Fine Gael Minister Peter Burke has just advised the Cabinet to kill the legislation that would have given retired workers equal rights to contest any proposed changes to their pensions.
Commenting on the fact that the Paper was laid down on the same day the ISCP held a press conference, asking Government to support the Bill. “I find it hard to believe that Fianna Fail, who for many of our members have always been seen as supporting workers, could agree to this. Even more surprising, is the support of the Independent Group on this decision, who individually have pledged support for the Bill”.
Sue Shaw ISCP, leading the ISCP working group, drawn from many member organisations stated her shock, “that not one Cabinet TD, (who were invited) could cross the road to Buswells and talk to us face to face. We had a full house of member organisations, but maybe that’s what they are afraid of, listening to real people talking about their loss of income while knowing the decision they had just made”. Many of these retired workers rely on their occupational pensions to provide an income to address their cost-of-living needs in their retirement.
Jim Dullaghan of ESB Retired Staff Association believes that this will give cause to older people and their families to consider whether we want an ageist government and is it time for change now. “Currently there are over 800,000 people aged over 65 in Ireland, 800,000 reasons for ageist government to be booted out! I believe that the decision made by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, will mean a very different response on the doorstep and at the ballot box, at election time.
Dividing workers from retirees only strengthens the hand of those cutting pensions. Keeping everyone at the same table ensures fairness, transparency, and a united defence of hard-earned entitlements. “You cannot change a pension scheme while shutting out the people who rely on it. Retired workers deserve a seat at the table—because their future is on the line”. Last November, at a briefing in the AV room, the ISCP had wide support for this view and had a commitment from FF and Independents to work at a cross-party level to support the Bill.
Members of the ISCP have voiced their shock at this decision, Paddy Fagan, said the impact of “having no voice, is that many retired workers are angry at no rise in income in 18 years, not to mention the pension levy on top of that”.
“This puts many pensioners, some who do not have the state pension, at the risk of poverty, during a time of food and fuel increases” says John Nugent of the National Pensioners Federation. He believes this blatant ageist action needs to be called out and everyone over 65 along with the younger members of their families, need to vote this government out of power at the earliest opportunity.
Eileen Sweeny, Retired Aviation Staff Association said “the Department of Enterprise, Tourism & Trade decision, demonstrates a lack of awareness, consideration and understanding of the lived experienced of former Aer Lingus/DAA & SAA employees, who have seen cuts to their monthly pension income in an industrial relations process where decisions were made without them”.
Finally, a word from Brid Smith who as a TD with People before Profit, sponsored the Bill “The Government has shown outrageous contempt for retired workers by killing this bill. To choose Labour Day, to twist the knife in the back of the pensioners who have fought for years to get their pension rights recognised. Shame on Fianna Fail and Fine Gael and those so-called Independents who back them.”
All sentiments echoed within the membership of Irish senior Citizens Parliament.
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The Collective Working Group of the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament
Contact:
Email: Sue Shaw @ susan@seniors.ie
Phone: 083 8612179