ing Week Positive Age

CELEBRATING THE CONTRIBUTION OF OLDER PEOPLE ACROSS GALWAY

Mary is a young lady in her The people of know At 74 years old and married for seventies, who was married Celia well, as she helps out 54 years, Nancy is on the go in to Jack and had nine children here, there and everywhere! her community! After raising and now 12 grandchildren. Her main role for the last few six children, she re-entered Since she retired, Mary has years is the Chairperson of the workplace and for over been involved in a number the Athenry Christmas lights 20 years, supports people in of activities. She was committee. In November the intellectual disability Eucharistic Minister in she’ll be on the streets at sector. Based in she Parish for over ten the crack of dawn helping to provides weekly community M a r y years, and was also C e l i a put up the lights, but before a n c y outreach and respite care to involved in the ICA and that she will have raised N families. Motivating and Active Retirement organising outings for the club the funds from the local business community, encouraging people is at her core and and acting as secretary. She really enjoyed her time ran car boot and cake sales, and arranged for the Christmas she also fosters this among her 10 grandchildren. Nancy working with her own age group. Recently, Mary developed trees in the town. The light show in Athenry is becoming recently returned to further education, developing IT and an interest in Bee-Keeping and together with her son, famous as a result of all her efforts. Celia is also involved patchwork skills, and meeting new people at cookery David, they have 20 hives and are members of Tribes Bee- with Tidy Towns, the Agricultural show, and she regularly classes. Nancy is also a breast cancer survivor. Grateful for Keepers in Kilcornan. She keeps busy - studying and weeds beds, sows new plants and trees and helps to make her continued good health, she continues to be engaged in managing the bees with her son, and has spin-off activities Athenry look beautiful. And as the youth officer with Athenry full-time farming, looks forward to continuing her work and such as making candles, bees wax food wraps, lip balms schools she gets lots of help from the children! She walks professional development (including a venture in sport- and other bi-products. She travels up and down the country the town every morning with her wee doggy. There are so horse breeding!), as well as her work within the community. going to honey shows and has won a huge amount of many people in the area who have benefited from Celias Nancy's zest for life, work and offering something back is trophies over the last 5 years. Mary has been interviewed thoughtfulness, kindness and generosity. what keeps her fulfilled and looking forward to the many on Community Radio about her interests. Celia is 81 years of age. new life experiences and adventures that await.

Padraic and his wife, Evelyn, Sr. Agnes has enriched many Ann has three children and have three daughters and five lives, particularly those who five grandchildren who are grandchildren who they are vulnerable, by her very close to her. Ann worked collect from school and take immense contribution to the in the parish office for 6 years. to athletics and Gaelic redevelopment of Gilmartin In 2011 she returned to football. Padraic is Road in Tuam. She has education and completed a passionate about GAA. always been very inclusive Diploma in Community His pride and joy is his and empathetic and does Development in NUIG. A home team, Turloughmore e s so with great gusto and sense of Community is very P a d r a i c Hurling Club which has S r A g n enthusiasm. Sr. Agnes is a A n n important to her. She was been part of his life since passionate advocate for swift instrumental in setting up the 1970’s. Padraic is Assistant Treasurer and has conservation and local initiatives by Tuam Tidy Towns. Her the Corrandulla Tidy Village group and has a great sense of been there to witness their many prestigious achievements. skill and persuasive approach has included organising litter pride in the area looking well. Ann also set up the active He is also Treasurer of CRH Athletics Club for over 30 picking campaigns, tree planting and restoring an over- retirement group in the local community with 30 to 35 years. Padraic is a member of a Quiz team and is involved grown Holy Well. She is a driven, honest, compassionate people meeting regularly. As she said herself “we were with SCOR Galway. He was on the team that won the person and is always keen to lead on projects. Sr. Agnes having a ball”. There were many outings, country and Championships twice! In 1990 he appeared on the RTE1 participates in the annual Tuamóg Children's Nature and western music nights, storytelling and lots of tea and home Quiz show “Where in the World” and was on the team that Bee-Friendly Festival creating her own stories about Irish baking. Her local community have benefited greatly from won. Following retirement, Padraic wanted to remain active folklore and conveying them through word and song; her energy, and ability to bring people together. Ann is and joined COPE Galway Meals on Wheels service encouraging the children to respect and nurture nature. looking forward to when the group can meet again. She delivering meals in , giving him great She is a role model to all through her ongoing dedication to describes herself as” always being on the go”, loves to satisfaction. Customers look forward to the social contact the upkeep of the environment and ecosystems. And she swim and is a keen dancer. There is no slowing her down! and chats. Padraig is 78 years old. still finds time to play the odd round of golf. Anne is 70 years old. Aughrim Active Retired Group

Aughrim Active Retirement group was established in 2007 and is still going from strength to strength. Maureen, Teresa, Mary and Helen, are some of the members of Aughrim Active Retirement who have not let the pandemic stop their independence while they cocoon. They have risen to the challenge of keeping busy and active in their homes by making high quality re-usable facemasks in aid of ‘Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation’ and they have been flooded with requests and donations for the charity making over 600 facemasks to date and raising €3,000 for the charity. The masks are available in lots of different colours and patterns and are available to buy for €3 each in local shops. It’s a group and community effort of which they are very proud. The members of Aughrim Active Retirement have enriched the community spirit of Aughrim and the greater area.

Thank you to all those in our families and communities who make a positive contribution!