23/04/2013

Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.

Press Release

Wednesday 1^st May 2013

Celebration of Bealtaine

The Festival celebrating Creativity in Older Age

On Wednesday 1^st May at 11.30 am in Tallaght Stadium, Tallaght Mayor Cathal King will launch the Bealtaine Festival, the festival celebrating Creativity in Older Age. Bealtaine is co-ordinated by Age and Opportunity, the national organisation working to promote greater participation by older people in society. The name "Bealtaine" comes from the ancient Celtic festival of that name celebrating springtime, freshness and renewal. The theme this year for South Dublin County is “”Grow Happy – it’s not life that makes us it’s what we make of life.”

There will be information fair on the day focusing on the areas of health, physical activity and social activity. This has been organised by Tús Nua – Older Person Council for South Dublin.

South Dublin County Council have organised a number of events during the month to celebrate the festival and have produced a brochure to advertise events for older people during Bealtaine. Each week has a different theme including technology week, arts and culture week, grow happy week and the final week! There is an opportunity here for everybody to try out something new! Some of the activities include tea drinking workshop, tea dance, horticultural workshops, computer classes, arts and crafts and lots more!

This year we are inviting people to submit a written expression of thanks for all the good things in their life or share their favourite recipe and the memories behind it (applications forms can be downloaded from www.sdcc.ie)

As a Local Authority we are putting in place the structures to address the changing needs of this segment of our population and work is ongoing to make South Dublin an Age Friendly County. Much of the work with our elderly population in the County is carried out by volunteers all over the county. South Dublin County Council has worked in partnership with many local organisations and statutory agencies to enhance the services for elderly people living in the county. Working together we can make South Dublin County a better place to live for people of all ages and abilities.

For further information please contact Maria Finn or Sandra Hickey Community Services Department, South Dublin County Council.

Tel: 01 4149270/086 3803060 or email mfinn@sdublincoco.ie and shickey@sdublincoco.ie

Website: www.sdcc.ie

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