Post February 2026 update

UNITED NATIONS - DECADE OF HEALTHY AGEING.   2021 – 2030

https://www.decadeofhealthyageing.org/

Adding Life to Year

1.   Post February 2026 Meeting Update.

Eileen B welcomed everyone to our monthly meeting, particularly those who came along for the first time.

This month’s Talk: Managing our Well-Being.

Eileen B introduced Karl Spain, Development Officer, Dublin North, Kildare & West Wicklow, Mental Health Ireland.   Mental Health Ireland [https://www.mhcirl.ie/what-we-do] was established in 1966 and Karl summarised his extensive business  background, how he got involved with Mental Health Ireland and his current role as Development Officer.  

For over an hour Karl lead a conversation on ‘Managing our Well-being’.   The meeting discussed  the World Health Organisation’s definition of ‘What is Well-Being’ and the Department of Health’s definition of ‘What is Mental Health’ .  

Karl outlined each of the Five Ways to Wellbeing – Connect: Be  Active:  Take Notice: Keep Learning & Give.

 You may wish to refresh each of the ‘Five Ways’ by viewing Mental Health Ireland’s video on the following link

Five Ways to Wellbeing  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsc2QkCC3uI

Mental Health Ireland current Strategic Plan ‘Educating, Empowering and Connecting Communities (2025 – 2027)’ is available on their website also. 

Read more about the Strategy and download a full version here.

2.   VISIT TO LEINSTER HOUSE.

This was a booked out event.   The Group had a very enjoyable day on their visit to Leinster House on 17 February 2026.   This visit was organised by Liz and hosted by Local TD Naoise Ó Muirí.

3.   UPCOMING VISIT - JULY 8TH -VISIT TO CURRAGHMORE HOUSE & GARDENS CO WATERFORD.   https://curraghmorehouse.ie/history/

Monica gave further information to the Group on Curraghmore House and Gardens in Waterford. She said that this House dates back to the 12th century has an interesting Shell House and collection of artefacts and artwork from the 18th and 19th Centuries.

This visit will require the hiring of a coach for 30 people and estimated costs were provided and shared at the meeting.  

Monica reported that a private tour for our Group on July 8th  has been arranged with the Guide at the venue.   If you are interested in visiting Curraghmore House you can add your name to the list at the next meeting on March 11 2026.

OTHER SUGGESTIONS.

Francis outlined a potential guided visit to North Bull Island.   This is a national nature reserve in Dublin Bay.  An initial expression of interest list was generated and based on the numbers Francis will follow up and come back with further details .

4.   FACILITATORS/ORGANISERS

The group were reminded that they can put forward suggestions for further visits and events over the coming months.   Each of these events/visits require a team of two individuals to research, facilitate and organise each event.

Please consider volunteering to help with the implementation of the 2026 programme of visits and events.

5.   FREE TRAVEL – UPDATE – effective from  1 March 2026

There was a brief discussion at the meeting on PSC Travel Pass and Northern Ireland Senior Smart PASS.

From 1 March 2026, to use Free Travel you will NEED a valid in-date Free Travel Public Service Card (PSC) – Green Card.   The ‘Date of Expiry’ is displayed on the front of your Free Travel PSC card.

If your current Free Travel PSC [Green Card] has expired, or if you currently use a Free Travel Paper Pass, you can renew or apply for a Public Services Card at MyWelfare or at at your local PSC Centre.

Further information is available on DSP & Transport for Ireland's websites.

https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-social-protection/services/free-travel-scheme/#expired-free-travel-public-services-cards. 

Free Travel Scheme – Transport for Ireland

Northern Ireland:  Please Note: You cannot use your Free Travel PSC for free travel WITHIN Northern Ireland.  Click on

Find out more about how to avail of free travel within Northern Ireland.

Application forms (FTNI1) for Senior SmartPass Cards are available from your local Intreo Centre. The completed application form MUST BE brought to your local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office in person (not posted or emailed).   You must also bring a number of other documents with your application form to your Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office:

• Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office

• Citizens Information Centre

6.   OTHER INFORMATION OF INTEREST

a.   Creative Brain Week March 2-6th 2026.

Online and In Person at the Naughton Institute and Samuel Beckett Theatre in Trinity College Dublin, The Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) and the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA).    These events are FREE - https://creativebrainweek.com/

b.   Webinar: Connect with Nature, Care for Yourself - A Physiotherapist’s Perspective  - March 5th 2026: 11 am – 12.30 pm

This is the second in a short series of webinars on “Healthy Ageing/ Healthy Planet”.

https://www.friendsoftheearth.ie/events/webinarhealthyageing/

c. RCSI - MyHealth Clearing the air | 10 March 2026

Date: 10 March 2026

Time: 07:00 - 00:00

Category: Community, General events

Location: Online and podcast only,

This episode is available to watch from Tuesday, 10 March 2026 on the

Opens in new windowRCSI YouTube channel, or you can listen via Apple, Spotify, or your favourite podcast platform.

Register your interest via the link above and RCSI will  share the episode link as soon as it’s live. 

NOTE: VENUE FOR NEXT MEETING WHICH WILL BE THE NEW  

BALDOYLE RACECOURSE COMMUNITY CENTRE -                           

March 11 2026 11 2026

10.30 am – 12.35 pm

ROOM 3

ES/February 23 2026