Kildare Active Retirement team secure second prize at national bowls competition
The NARA Bernie from Newbridge has taken second prize in the small bowls plate tournament at the 2024 Active Retirement Ireland national indoor mats bowling competition
Kildare Active Retirement bowls team NARA Bernie from Newbridge has taken second prize in the small bowls plate tournament at the 2024 Active Retirement Ireland national indoor mats bowling competition, which took place at the Gleneagle INEC Arena in Killarney, Co Kerry this week.
NARA Bernie team members Pattie McCormack, Mary Carroll, Bernie Murphy, sub Stephen Rogers and skip Peggie Ryan were last night (December 12) presented with their award by Active Retirement Ireland National President Mai Quaid after finishing runners-up in their final against the Tullow Smilers bowls team from Co Carlow.
Over three days, 42 Active Retirement teams from across the country competed for the Active Retirement Ireland Cup in indoor mat bowls at the organisation’s twelfth annual flagship event.
Speaking at the awards presentation, Active Retirement Ireland CEO Maureen Kavanagh said: “Congratulations to NARA Bernie bowls team on its success at this year’s National Bowls Competition. They have met strong competition from many talented teams over the past few days and should be very proud of their achievement.
“This competition is testament to the drive and determination of older people to enjoy an active and social lifestyle and age well. The 168 bowlers who have competed this week, our volunteer officials and all Active Retirement Ireland members are the epitome of positive ageing and should be fully supported in their commitment to getting out there and living their best lives.
“The government has a real opportunity now to build strong policies into the new programme for government that will embed a positive ageing framework in Ireland and enable older people to live independent, active and full lives.
“We are grateful to our event host the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney for being an ally to older people and recognising the valuable contribution that they make, and for their generous support in making this event possible each year.”
There are 515 local Active Retirement Associations (ARAs) in local communities across Ireland — groups of older people who come together to organise social events and activities to reduce isolation and loneliness — supported by the national body Active Retirement Ireland.
For more information about Active Retirement Ireland, see www.activeirl.ie.