DCU Age-Friendly University

DCU Age-Friendly University invites you to Songs of Our Selves, a relaxed community singing event at The Lark Concert Hall.

Bringing together participants from DCU’s Age-Friendly programme and the Sing Social Club, this gathering celebrates Irish folksong as a living, shared tradition. Led by DCU's Seán Doherty in collaboration with Michael P Dawson, songs will be taught by ear in an informal setting - no experience needed.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧: Sunday 31st May, 12:30 pm
𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: The Lark Concert Hall, Church Street, Balbriggan
𝐓𝐨 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤: The Lark website:
https://thelark.ie/event/songs-of-ourselves-a-shared-singing-event

DCU Age-Friendly University held a collaborative meeting with partners from the University of Malta and the University of the Third Age in preparation for Erasmus Plus mobility activities scheduled for November, focusing on lifelong learning and cross-cultural exchange between Ireland and Malta.

A delegate of DCU AFU, under the leadership of DCU Age Friendly University coordinator Dr Christine O'Kelly, participated in an engaging meeting with Professor Christian Borg Xuereb, President of the University of the Third Age (U3A), Professor Marvin Formosa, and colleagues at the University of Malta as part of preparations for forthcoming Erasmus Plus mobility activities taking place in November.

The discussion centred on opportunities for lifelong learning, cultural exchange, and strengthening collaboration between Ireland and Malta. Both contexts reflected shared experiences shaped by strong cultural identity and community connection alongside demographic change, migration, tourism, and increasing pressures on housing, transport, and infrastructure.

These shared experiences created a rich and thoughtful dialogue on how universities and communities can respond creatively and inclusively to social change across an ageing population.

The meeting forms part of ongoing work supported by Erasmus+, enabling international cooperation and mobility across higher education and community education settings.

Living Sustainably: Stories, Skills & Wisdom Across Time 🌱♻️

DCU Age-Friendly University recently hosted a consultation forum for the Old Skills, New Stories Intergenerational Sustainability Project, bringing participants together to share practical skills, lived experiences, and everyday sustainable habits passed down through generations.

From reusing jars and preserving food to repairing household items, growing vegetables, rewiring plugs, and maintaining bicycles and cars, participants reflected on how many traditional practices were rooted in sustainability long before it became a global conversation. 🌍✨

The session also explored creative ways to share these stories and skills with younger generations, helping shape the next phase of this exciting intergenerational initiative. Participants’ ideas and experiences will directly inform the development of future sustainability activities that connect lived experience with modern environmental action.

This initiative is being developed in collaboration with the Education for Sustainability Unit and RCE Dublin at Dublin City University.

DCU Age-Friendly University 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞

Dublin City University Age-Friendly University programme participated in the International Dementia Conference 2026, where AFU researcher Dr Waqar Ahmed delivered a presentation entitled Promoting Dementia-Friendly Cultural Participation in Ireland. The paper formed part of the Erasmus+ MEMORABLE project.

The Annual International Dementia Conference 2026 was organised by Engaging Dementia. The event brought together people living with dementia, family carers, practitioners, researchers, and service providers for expert talks, panel discussions, and professional exchange.

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚-𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Dr Ahmed’s presentation reported findings from the Erasmus+ MEMORABLE cooperation partnership in adult education, co-funded by the European Union. The research at DCU Age-Friendly University Unit examined how creative and cultural activities can support inclusion and well-being for people living with dementia in Ireland. The project responded to increasing policy interest in dementia-inclusive cultural spaces, while recognising uneven provision, regional disparities, and limited cross-sector coordination.

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
Findings indicated that cultural programmes such as museum visits, music, dance, choirs, and poetry can support emotional well-being, social connection, memory recall, identity, and non-verbal communication. Stakeholders also reported positive effects on relationships between participants and carers.

The research identified ongoing challenges, including physical and cognitive accessibility, stigma, reliance on carers, short-term funding structures, uneven training provision, and limited evaluation tools capable of recognising subtle forms of engagement. Practice-focused recommendations addressed cross-sector collaboration, expanded dementia awareness and arts training, transport and outreach supports, cognitively accessible cultural environments, and programme design that recognises carers as participants.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭
Across Europe, partners in the MEMORABLE project continue to collaborate, sharing research, lived experience, and cultural practice to co-create a curriculum that advances dementia-inclusive cultural participation.

Follow updates on the MEMORABLE project website:
https://memorable-project.eu/

𝐃𝐂𝐔 𝐀𝐠𝐞-𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 2026

AFU researcher Dr Waqar Ahmed will present “Promoting Dementia-Friendly Cultural Participation in Ireland” from the DCU Age-Friendly University initiative’s Erasmus+ MEMORABLE project at the International Dementia Conference 2026.

Organised by Engaging Dementia, the Annual International Dementia Conference 2026’s theme, Let’s Keep Connecting: Personally, Professionally and Purposefully, will frame expert talks, panel discussions, and networking opportunities involving people living with dementia, family carers, practitioners, researchers, and service providers.

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚-𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝
Dr Ahmed’s presentation, Promoting Dementia-Friendly Cultural Participation in Ireland, reports findings from the Erasmus+ MEMORABLE cooperation partnership in adult education, co-funded by the European Union. The research was led by DCU’s Age-Friendly University Unit and examined how creative and cultural activities can support inclusion and well-being for people living with dementia in Ireland.

The study combined desk research and stakeholder interviews. Participants included people living with dementia, family carers, cultural workers, programme coordinators, library staff, facilitators, and a researcher. The project addressed growing policy interest in dementia-inclusive cultural spaces, while recognising uneven provision, regional disparities, and limited cross-sector coordination.

Further details about the MEMORABLE project are available at:

https://memorable-project.eu/

We are delighted to extend an invitation to you to attend the annual "Taste of DCU", a unique event designed by DCU Age-Friendly University unit to showcase the range of research and opportunities at DCU.

This event is tailored to provide you with a comprehensive experience of the wide range of courses, activities, and opportunities at Dublin City University. Whether you are looking to enhance your skills, pursue new educational interests, or simply explore what goes on at DCU, this event is for you.

Event Details:
Date: Monday, August 31 2026
Location: School of Nursing, DCU Glasnevin Campus
Time: 8:30 am - 1:30 pm
Schedule
Previous Attendees: If you have previously attended a "Taste of DCU" event, you are invited to arrive at 9:15 am.
First-Time Attendees: If this is your first time attending, we invite you to register from 8:30 am alongside the other attendees. This will give you the full experience of the welcome session and initial activities.

Join us for an enriching experience where you can meet with DCU staff and students, attend a variety of presentations, lectures, and workshops, and learn more about the diverse activities and opportunities available at DCU.
We look forward to welcoming you to this special event!
Register here:
https://forms.gle/YUiA6Qcp7gCy5EiR8

𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬- 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤: 𝐀 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲

DCU Age-Friendly University (AFU) initiative invites you to be part of an important European conversation at its international conference, taking place in Dublin on 22–23 October 2026.

Held during Ireland’s Presidency of the European Union, this event will bring together voices from across Europe and beyond to explore how we respond to one of the defining challenges of our time, demographic change and the need for greater intergenerational fairness.

As people live longer and societies evolve, questions of how we learn, work and support one another across generations have never been more urgent. This conference creates a space for meaningful dialogue between researchers, policymakers, practitioners and communities, all working towards more inclusive and sustainable futures.

Led by Dublin City University and the Age-Friendly University Global Network (Europe), the conference reflects a growing European approach to age-friendly higher education, one that recognises universities as civic anchors, connecting knowledge, policy, and lived experience to drive real change.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬
We welcome contributions that explore lifelong learning, inclusive workplaces, intergenerational collaboration, policy innovation and health and wellbeing across the life course. Above all, we are interested in ideas and practices that help build fairer systems where opportunity and responsibility are shared across generations.
– Lifelong learning and workplace inclusivity
– Intergenerational dialogue and collaboration
– Policy responses to demographic change
– Future workspaces in an ageing society
– Promoting health and wellbeing in the workforce

𝐓𝐲𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
Full Papers
Practice Briefs
Panel Discussions
Extended Abstracts
Parallel Workshops
Poster Presentations

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬
Call Opens: May 1
Submission Deadline: August 21
Notification of Acceptance: August 31
Early bird Registration closes: August 31
Registration Deadline: October 17

Join us in shaping a collective vision for the future, one where learning, earning and living well are possible at every stage of life.

𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒐 𝑺𝒖𝒃𝒎𝒊𝒕
Submit your abstracts and papers via the conference submission page on the conference website! We encourage diverse perspectives and welcome submissions from all backgrounds, particularly from underrepresented voices.

Check out our Early Bird rates
Find out more at
𝙝𝙩𝙩𝙥𝙨://𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙖𝙩.𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠/

Shaping Europe’s future together, across generations.

𝗗𝗖𝗨 𝗔𝗙𝗨 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 ‘𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀’ 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗘𝘅𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

We were delighted to host our annual ‘Ageless Expressions’ art exhibition, celebrating the creativity and achievements of participants across a range of lifelong learning programmes.

The exhibition featured a diverse collection of work produced throughout the semester, reflecting the talent, dedication, and individual expression of those involved. It offered participants an opportunity to present their work publicly, engage with peers, and mark their creative development.

Alongside the visual display, attendees enjoyed readings by members of the Creative Writing module, whose performances demonstrated strong narrative voice and reflective insight. The programme also included live performances from the Folk Music class, contributing to a lively and engaging atmosphere.

The event enabled visitors to experience the exhibited work while hearing directly from participants about the modules and learning processes that informed their creations. These reflections added depth and personal context to the exhibition.

A strong sense of pride and community was evident throughout the event, reflecting the ethos of the Age-Friendly University Initiative.

Check our website for more details:
𝒉𝒕𝒕𝒑𝒔://𝒘𝒘𝒘.𝒅𝒄𝒖.𝒊𝒆/𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒚/𝒂𝒇𝒖-𝒂𝒓𝒕-𝒆𝒙𝒉𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏

DCU Age-Friendly University 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗜𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸

DCU Age-Friendly University has published its submission to the Department of Health consultation on the new Healthy Ireland Framework, informed by participant insights shared during a public webinar.

DCU Age-Friendly University’s submission to the Department of Health consultation on the new Healthy Ireland Framework was informed by a public webinar hosted by AFU on Wednesday, 15 April. The webinar invited participants to share their views on the future direction of health and wellbeing policy in Ireland, with particular attention to ageing, inclusion, participation, and equitable access to health supports.

The Department of Health is developing a new Healthy Ireland Framework to guide national health and wellbeing policy over the coming years. As part of the public consultation process, DCU Age-Friendly University gathered perspectives from participants with lived experience, professional knowledge, and community-based expertise.

The discussion addressed several key areas, including awareness of Healthy Ireland, the needs of older adults and under-served groups, factors affecting health and well-being, barriers to participation, and priorities for the next ten years. Participants also reflected on the need for more inclusive consultation processes, clearer communication, stronger community engagement, and greater recognition of the social conditions that shape health across the life course.

The DCU Age-Friendly University submission brings these insights together as a contribution to national policy development. It reflects DCU AFU’s continued commitment to age-friendly practice, lifelong learning, civic engagement, and evidence-informed public discussion.

Thank you to everyone who shared their insights and expertise during the webinar. Their contributions helped shape the final submission to the Department of Health.

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒃𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒗𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒘𝒆𝒃𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒆:
https://www.dcu.ie/agefriendly/afu-submission-new-healthy-ireland

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙎𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙨 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 Celebrated at DCU

DCU Age-Friendly University Initiative was delighted to host the Intergenerational Solidarity Awards 2026 on the DCU Glasnevin Campus, bringing together schools, youth groups, and community participants from across Ireland to celebrate outstanding intergenerational initiatives.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙎𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙨 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 align with the goals of the 𝐸𝑈 𝐷𝑎𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐶𝑜𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝐺𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠, championing a future where all ages connect and thrive together.

Now running for over a decade, these annual awards recognise projects that foster meaningful connections between younger and older generations through creativity, learning, and shared experiences. This year’s event once again highlighted the transformative impact of intergenerational engagement within schools and communities.

The recipients were presented with their awards earlier today at a ceremony on DCU’s Glasnevin Campus. At the ceremony, AFU Coordinator, Dr. Christine O'Kelly spoke about how intergenerational engagement can strengthen communities, promote mutual understanding, and create lasting social impact.

𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 ✨🎉

𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑺𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍 𝑨𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔

🥇 Gold Award – St Paul’s Primary School, Roscommon

🥈 Silver Award – Bunscoil Rís / Edmund Rice Senior School

𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑺𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑨𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔

🏆Platinum Award – Dominican College, Galway

🥇 Gold Award – KH Community, King’s Hospital School

🥈 Silver Award – Maynooth Community College

🥉Bronze Award – Ard Scoil Phádraig

𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑺𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍 𝑩𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑨𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅

🏆 Platinum Award – St Patrick’s Comprehensive School

𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉 𝑮𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒑 𝑨𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔

🥇Gold Award – 2nd Port of Dunmore East Sea Scouts

We would like to congratulate the winners and thank all entrants & the judging panel.

Participants travelled to DCU for the ceremony, with many schools also bringing additional contributors involved in their projects, including nursing home residents, volunteers, and community members. Attendees also had the opportunity to take part in a guided campus tour, further enhancing their experience of university life.

The Intergenerational Solidarity Awards continue to demonstrate the importance of collaboration between schools, communities, and older adults in building a more inclusive and age-friendly society.

The AFU team was delighted to host such an inspiring group of participants and looks forward to welcoming even more schools and organisations to the DCU Intergenerational Solidarity Awards 2027.

For more information, visit our website here:

https://www.dcu.ie/agefriendly/intergenerational-solidarity-awards