Micheál drops by to spread the wisdom at second Duhallow seniors conference

THE second-ever Duhallow Senior’s Conference was hosted by the Saoi Network at the James O’Keeffe Institute last week.

Part-funded by the HSE, the conference was opened by none other than renowned sports commentator Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh. The sprightly 88-year-old entertained the 180 attendees with an insightful talk about the importance of ‘agallamh’ or conversation as we get older. This set the tone for a great day.

Jerry Harrington was the first speaker of the morning session and he went through ‘Emergency Fist Aid Procedures’. Jerry was the man who started what are now busloads of people travelling to the North through the Cross Border Directive to try to reduce waiting times for surgery or other procedures. He also introduced a Lions Club initiative, ‘Message in a Bottle’, whereby older people put a bottle in their fridge listing all their medication - this has huge potential to save lives.

Jerry was followed by local author Kevin Quaid who is living with the harrowing disease Lewy Body Dementia. The next speaker was Amy Murphy of The Alzheimer’s Association, who went through practical tips to reduce ‘ brain risk’. These included many simple changes that we can all make in our everyday lives, such as taking more exercise, learning new skills, eating the right foods and social interaction.

Lunch was provided by Duhallow Community Food Services and after lunch speakers included Nuala O’Sullivan from Citizen’s Information, who spoke on Rights and Entitlements, Helen O’Sullivan from IRD Duhallow outlined Community Services for Older People, Martin Farrissey of Cork Fire Service spoke on fire safety in the home, Liz Maddox introduced Cork Older People’s Council and Ray Dwyer from the HSE explained the complex workings of the Fair Deal Scheme.

Saoi Network chairman Jack Roche said “it is important that we continue to hold events like this within the community so that people don’t have to travel long distances to access vital service information. More importantly, it is a great social event and provides a chance to get out and meet other people.

“I sincerely want to thank all our speakers who volunteered their time to be here today. To quote Micheal Ó Muircheartaigh’s closing statement, ‘go mbeirimid beo ag an am seo arís,” Louise Bourke of IRD Duhallow said.

Photos by Sheila Fitzgerald Liz Maddox (Cork Age Friendly Initiative), Jerry Harrington (Emergency First Aid), Kevin Quaid (Living with Lewy Dementia) and Helen O’ Sullivan (IRD) were the speakers at the IRD Duhallow Seniors Conference. Micheál O Muircheartaigh officially opened the event.

The team at IRD Duhallow that organised a wonderful Seniors Conference, entitled ‘The Older & Bolder Conference’.Above right: Millstreet Active Retired Group pictured at the IRD Duhallow Seniors Conference.Right: Phil and Jack Field, Margaret Kearney, Anna O’Riordan and Chrissie Madigan, Kilbrin, enjoying the IRD Duhallow Seniors Conference.

Members of Clondrohid - Carriganimme - Muinefliuch Active Retired Group pictured at the IRD Duhallow Seniors Conference.

Above: Mary and John Joe Corkery, Kilbrin, with Breda Murphy, Agnes Gleeson and Lil Fleming, Tureencahill, pictured at the IRD Duhallow Seniors Conference.