The Galway Age Friendly City and County programme was launched on the 27th September 2011. In the first few years of our programme the goal was to develop a Galway Age Friendly Strategy. The Galway Age Friendly Strategy 2014 – 2019 was launched on the 20th May 2014. The strategy was drafted after much consultation with older people across the length and breadth of Galway. This strategy is seen to be strongly supportive and will help to ensure that all members of our community will continue to learn, develop and work throughout their lives, will be truly valued and respected, and that they will lead healthier and active lives for longer.

In 2015 The Galway Age Friendly Older Persons Council identified the need to update, and print the Directory of Services for Older People in Galway city and county. This Directory of Services provides a wealth of useful information not only for older people and their families, but also for carers and service providers. Its user-friendly format covers information on many of the services available for older people in Galway city and county. This includes community and voluntary organisations, HSE, Local Authorities and other public services.

Ballinasloe Active Retirement Association were the lead group in achieving “Age Friendly Town” status for Ballinasloe which is a huge benefit to all of the older people in the town. Ballinasloe Active Retirement Association working with Irelands Age Friendly Cities & Counties Programme initiated the production of an Age Friendly Business Directory for Ballinasloe. They surveyed businesses in the area in order to highlight the best practices of local businesses in addressing the needs of local older shoppers and this publication is of huge benefit to both the residents and the businesses in the town. The Ballinasloe Active Retirement Association work closely with the Local Authority, HSE, An Garda Siochana and all local community groups e.g. and any new developments in the town they will always have an input into it.

In 2018 we are locating age friendly parking spaces across the City and County for older people. By providing dedicated parking for older persons which increases accessibility and usage of public services and encourages older people of reduced mobility to get out and about and lead fuller lives.
Galway is continuing to promote and respect older people’s engagement in economic, educational, social, cultural, community and family life and foster better solidarity between generations.