Grants to Kilkenny groups to promote physical activity among older people

Kilkenny groups will receive a total of €17,770 to fund physical activity for older people.
Grants awarded to 31 clubs across the city and county to promote physical activity among seniors
Nearly 7 million euros granted to date by the National Grant Scheme
The Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme celebrates a significant funding allocation for sport and physical activity in older age groups. The grant scheme is a joint initiative of Age & Opportunity and Sport Ireland. 995 national groups will receive grants totaling €514,120.
Minister of State for Sport and the Gaeltacht Jack Chambers said: ‘The National Age & Opportunity Active Grants Scheme has been an incredibly beneficial resource for older people to become more active and the grants announced today are a new recognition of the importance of sport and physical activity in the lives of older people.
“I would like to thank Age & Opportunity for the great work they do in providing opportunities for older people and wish them continued success in their valuable work with communities across Ireland.”
The National Grant Scheme provides an accessible and enjoyable way for older people in communities nationwide to reap the benefits of physical activity.
Dr Una May, chief executive of Sport Ireland, said the Age & Opportunity Active program continues to act as a valuable resource in getting more older people more active.
“Sport Ireland’s vision is that sport helps improve the quality of Irish life and that people of all ages are encouraged and valued in sport. To help us achieve this goal, we are working with Age & Opportunity to provide opportunities and grants to as many clubs and groups as possible,” she said.

“We are delighted to provide funding to the National Age & Opportunity Active Grants Program. Staying physically active or resuming activity is more important than ever given the circumstances we have found ourselves in due to Covid-19 over the past few years. The grant continues to act as a valuable resource to get more seniors more active and we are thrilled to share this good news with everyone today.

Karen Horgan, CEO of Age & Opportunity, said today’s grant helps us create an Ireland where more older people are more active and connected and the awarding of these grants ensures that clubs and groups from all walks of life can benefit from the program.

“We are delighted to continue our partnership with Sport Ireland. Age & Opportunity strives to ensure equal participation for all older people, regardless of origin, culture, identity, environment or place of residence. We are delighted that this year 383 successful applications come from designated disadvantaged areas. There were also 48 applications from retirement homes and 84 applications from day care centres.

Successful Kilkenny groups are: Multiple Sclerosis Ireland, Wexford, The Rower Inistloge Gaelic for Mothers & Others, Multiple Sclerosis Ireland – Carlow, Multiple Sclerosis Ireland – Kilkenny, Carrick-on-Suir ARA, St. Mullins ICA, COPD Support Kilkenny Branch, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland – Tipperary South, Multiple Sclerosis Ireland – Waterford, Kilkenny Masters Tournament, St. Senan’s Athletics Club, Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnership, Mullinavat and District Active Retirement, Owning Care for the Elderly, Slieverue ARA, Comhaltas Craobh Osrai Marble Municipal Branch, Stoneyford Active Retirement Group, Clogh ICA, Kilkenny Sub Aqua Club, Rosedale Residential & Nursing Home, Kilfane Handball Club, Graine ICA, Gowran AC, Muckalee Community Center Ltd, Ballyragget ARA, Archersrath Nursing Home, The Mill Family Resource Center FRC, Deenview Centre, Ashgrove Archers, Ballyfoyle and District ARA and Ballyouskill ICA.

The grant scheme is part of Age & Opportunity’s Active scheme, funded by Sport Ireland and implemented across the country with support from Local Sports Partnerships and the HSE.