Queen of the Plough Anna May McHugh praises Laois train station for 'age friendly' award

A Laois train station has been awarded “Age Friendly” status by Age Friendly Ireland, recognising the station's commitment to accessible, inclusive, and welcoming transport, particularly for older adults and people with disabilities. 

Ballybrophy train station was awarded this status on Friday April 2, with local and national politicians joining familiar faces in Laois to welcome this news.

“It is a privilege to see our local communities come together with a shared goal of ensuring everyone is included and no one is left behind when we are creating public services in Ireland," said Anna May McHugh, Age Friendly Laois Ambassador and Managing Director of the National Ploughing Association.

Pictured at the unveiling of Ballybrophy Train Station as “Age Friendly” are members of the Laois Age Friendly Older People's Council. Photo: Jason Clarke

"With a high number of older people living in rural communities such as Ballybrophy, it is important that they have equal access to public transport, and that the work is done to ensure they can have a high quality of life.

"I want to empower older people in rural communities to avail of these services, and continue to live a long and social life. I look forward to taking more trips via Ballybrophy, knowing it now carries the Age Friendly mark," Ms McHugh finished.

Also in attendance was Mr Jim Meade, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann, who welcomed this news.

“Today, with the recognition of Ballybrophy as an Age Friendly Station, we’re delighted to launch of the first phase of our Age Friendly Stations Initiative – an initiative which ultimately intends for each of our 146 stations to attain Age Friendly Status," he said.

"Our vision for rail in Ireland is to be the backbone of an integrated, sustainable, and accessible public transport network, connecting and serving all of Ireland’s communities.

"We’re investing in infrastructure upgrades across the network to enhance accessibility and facilitate safe, independent access for more of our customers, while also providing our staff with Accessibility and Disability Awareness training. Initiatives like these are helping us to provide a better, more inclusive service to customers," Mr Meade said.

Pictured: Anna May McHugh, Age Friendly Laois Ambassador and Managing Director of the National Ploughing Association and her sister, Eileen. Photo: Jason Clarke

Unveiling the plaque was Minister for Older People, Kieran O’Donnell TD, who said that his priority is ensuring that as people get older, they are supported to live in their own homes and communities with the correct wraparound supports.

"Making public transport more accessible and age friendly is part of the toolkit to ensure older people can age well and remain connected and integrated in their communities," he said.

Tom Curran, Programme Manager of Age Friendly Laois highlighted that it is important for public transport to grow with the growing population.

"As part of our walkability audit last year, we worked with Iarnród Éireann to investigate ways to enhance the offering of Ballybrophy Train Station and are proud it has officially become Age Friendly accredited," Mr Curran said.

"The station now has Age Friendly car parking spaces, wheelchair accessible spaces and accompanying signage available on platform seating and waiting areas, and accessible toilets.” 

Pictured: Ballybrophy train station. Photo: The Leinster Express

This recognition follows a process aligned with the principles of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Network of Age Friendly Cities and Communities.

The initiative was led by Age Friendly Ireland, the national organisation delivering the Government’s vision of an Age Friendly Ireland, in collaboration with the  Laois Age Friendly Programme, Laois County Council and Iarnród Éireann.  

The recognition of Ballybrophy Station with Age Friendly status also marks the official launch of Iarnród Éireann’s Age Friendly Stations Initiative, an initiative which ultimately intends for all of the 146 stations nationwide to attain Age Friendly Status.

Phase one of Iarnród Éireann’s Age Friendly Station Initiative will see a group of ten carefully selected stations from across the rail network go through the audit and recognition process. 

Ballybrophy Train Station now joins Killkenny’s MacDonagh Train Station and a growing number of public services and buildings across the country — including hospitals and sporting arenas — that have gone through the four-stage process to be formally recognised as Age Friendly.  

The Ballybrophy Train Station accreditation represents a broader national movement towards inclusive design and services, guided by Age Friendly Ireland, which is a Shared Service of local government hosted by Meath County Council.

Age Friendly Ireland directs, supports and provides technical guidance to the 31 local authority-led, multi-disciplinary Age Friendly Programmes which includes 31 Older Peoples Councils. 

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