Documentary showcases Kilkenny as a great place to grow old in

Kilkenny has deservedly garnered a reputation for being a city and county that is catering well for the needs of its ageing population.

It is recognised as an Age Friendly City and even has its own Age Friendly ambassador, Nickey Brennan who has made a trojan contribution to the local community by raising awareness around how simple actions can enhance the lives of us all as we grow older.

Kilkenny was named Ireland’s first Age Friendly city and this is a badge that is worn with pride.

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Last year a stunning documentary was created to showcase the work that is being done to enhance the lives of the older members of our community through active engagement with relevant stakeholders as well as leading out on innovative initiatives, including the Memory Matters Project.

“Kilkenny Age Friendly started back in 2010. This documentary was made two years later than expected due to Covid 19. It is now available to watch online and we would encourage people to watch it and to see the various initiatives that are taking place,” said Nickey who worked alongside Paul Collins of Ballywire Media on the production.

“We wanted to document all the work that had been done in this area over the past ten years and to make people aware of what is happening in the community,” he said adding that the Older People’s Council, with Michael Delahunty as chairperson have also made a massive contribution to the Kilkenny Age Friendly initiative and have published a book, which showcases the work that has been carried out over the past decade and illustrates an important part of social history through words and photographs.

Nickey secured professional help to make the documentary as the project was ‘a new territory’ and following funding from Kilkenny Leader Partnership and Kilkenny Age Friendly and a tender process Ballywire Media was selected.

Work began with Nickey working on content and Paul Collins on filming and the project was completed at the end of 2022.

Well known thespian Ger Cody is the narrator on the documentary which is insightful, informative and visually striking.

The narrator tells the viewer that since 2009 many people have helped to develop Kilkenny as an Age Friendly city and county and the documentary celebrates key milestones on the journey to achieve that status.

The Kilkenny Age Friendly County initiative was formally launched by the veteran actress, the late Maureen O’Hara in 2010.

The Kilkenny Older People’s Council was established in the same year and is comprised from individuals from Kilkenny and it meets regularly to review and consider matters of relevance to its members and to prepare submissions to appropriate authorities if necessary.

Kilkenny has enjoyed many firsts in relations to its Age Friendly status. As well as being the first city in Ireland to achieve this, the Ormonde Hotel was the first Age Friendly hotel, St Luke’s Hospital the first Age Friendly hospital in Ireland and McDonagh Railway Station is the first Age Friendly railway station in Ireland alongside its neighbour MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre which is Ireland’s first Age Friendly shopping centre.

McDonagh Train Station has made improvements to make it more accessible for older citizens including more accessible parking spaces, tactile paving and a pedestrian crossing. The county also boasts a number of Age Friendly Towns in Thomastown, Callan and Kilkenny City where a specific programme of work has enhanced the social and built environment for the ageing demographic.

An Age Friendly Business Recognition programme is embedded with the Chamber of Commerce, with members undertaking training and listening to older customers to better meet their needs.

Superintendent Anthony Farrell of Thomastown Garda Station, who has had a long association with the Kilkenny Age Friendly Alliance also features and describes how gardaí engage positively with older people through community policing. The documentary is superb and is a must watch for all.

To view click here: Kilkenny Age Friendly Documentary