15 YEARS OF GOREY ACTIVE RETIREMENT
TIME flies when you’re having fun, and the past 15 years have certainly been enjoyable and fleeting for the members of
Gorey Active Retirement Association.
Some 100 of them gathered in the Loch Garman Arms recently to celebrate the organisation’s 15th anniversary, and it was fitting that the first chairperson, Kevin Molloy, is back at the helm this year.
Kevin recalled that the late Phil Brennan first introduced the concept of Active Retirement to Gorey after learning about it at course for retired business people in Kilkenny. He discussed it with a few locals, and a public meeting was held in October 2002. Around 170 people turned up to the first recruitment meeting in November. The national Active Retirement guidelines suggested a maximum of 100 members so two clubs were formed, but they merged after a few years.
The founding committee members were: chairperson,
Kevin Molloy; vice chair, Margaret Francois; secretary, Ann Brennan; treasurer, Sean Walsh; PRO, Tess Mannion. Committee: Marie Crehan, Bridie Baker, Denis Maguire, Michael Funge, Maureen Hannon and Flor Molumby.
‘Active Retirement is about older people doing things for themselves, by themselves,’ said Kevin.
Activities over the years have included: computers, art, aqua aerobics, holidays, outings, cultural events, Sit Fit exercises, and bowling which is still going strong. ‘At the moment we have in excess of 200 members, and we are always open for membership,’ said Kevin. ‘We are still very active, 15 years down the road.’
He said the organisation helps promote better health, and is a great network of friendships. ‘The local group is part of the bigger family of older people across the country,’ he said. ‘When we started, 110 clubs represented around 6,000 people. Today about 550 clubs represent 26,000 people.’
The evening included food, music and dancing. Thanks went to Michael Gleeson and his team at the Loch Garman Arms, and all who contributed to the club over the years.