Happy National Arts in Nursing Homes Day!🎨✨
Across the country, Nursing Homes celebrate art and creativity as part of the Bealtaine festival. Age & Opportunity and Nursing Homes Ireland @nursinghomesireland support the engagement of artists in care settings through the National Arts in Nursing Homes Day Award.
This year, @orwellhealthcare Rathgar received an award to work with artist Karen Hickey to create "Orwell Boulevard," a collaborative visual arts project celebrating the journey of life within the nursing home community. The artist and participants were inspired by the idea of a "walk of life," and created their boulevard using individual wooden bricks, painted and signed by residents and staff.
Congratulations to the National Arts in Nursing Homes Day Award 2026 recipients -
@orwellhealthcare working with visual artist Karen Hickey
@mowlamhealthcare Rush, working with musician Teresa O'Donnell
Oakfield Nursing Home (@curamcarehomes ) Wexford, working with traditional singer/folklorist @racheluifhaolain
Castlemanor Nursing Home Cavan, working with painter @paulgalliganart
#BealtaineFestival #CreativeAgeing #NursingHomesIreland #ArtsAndWellbeing #NationalArtsInNursingHomesDay
@irishhealthservice@artscouncilireland@bealtainefestival
Celebrate creativity this May with a special programme of events across OPW heritage sites nationwide.
In partnership with the Age & Opportunity Bealtaine Festival, the OPW is offering a diverse range of experiences including music, talks, exhibitions, yoga and workshops designed to support creativity and connection at every age.
Highlights include:
Drumming workshop at Cahir Castle
Chair yoga in the grounds of Parke’s Castle
Literary and sculpture tours at The Custom House
Guided walks at Kilkenny Castle
Exhibitions at National Botanic Gardens
Concert at Rathfarnham Castle
Talks at Castletown House
On Friday 22 May, senior citizens can enjoy free admission to participating OPW heritage sites nationwide. Learn more at gov.ie/opw - link in Bio
This programme supports the Bealtaine theme of celebrating arts and creativity as we age and encourages everyone to stay active, engaged and connected.
Plan your visit and explore the full programme: heritageireland.ie - link in Bio
Please note: Kilmainham Gaol and Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre are excluded from the free admission day.
#BealtaineFestival #OPWHeritage #CreativeAging #HeritageEvents #AgeAndOpportunity #CulturalActivities #SeniorCitizens #IrishHeritage @cahircastleopw@castletownhouseopw@nationalbotanicgardens_ireopw@parkes_castle_opw@customhousevisitorcentreopw@kilkennycastleopw@rathfarnhamcastleopw
📣📣𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴!
Age & Opportunity is the national organisation working to enhance wellbeing for older people through participation in sport and physical activity, arts and creative engagement, personal development, community collaboration and active citizenship. More details are available at www.ageandopportunity.ie
Through our Arts Programme, we provide opportunities for older people to be more creative more often, to create meaningful participation and representation for all older people in cultural and creative life and to demonstrate and celebrate how our creative potential can improve with age.
We are looking for an Arts Programme Administrator on a part-time basis for a 12-month fixed term contract. This is an opportunity for a person with a strong arts administration background to join our Arts Programme team and contribute to the area of arts and ageing.
The successful candidate will need to demonstrate a track record (minimum 2 years) of working in the field of arts administration. This will include experience of responding to enquiries and providing information and administration in the areas of budget, record keeping and invoicing. They will also have experience coordinating and developing web and social media content which is an essential element of the role.
The role also requires excellent communication and interpersonal skills, a flexible approach and a high level of computer literacy.
This a part-time role for 25 hours per week (based on a 37.5 hr week) with a salary of €23,333 (pro rata of €35,000). The contract is a 12-month fixed term with an ideal start date of June 2026.
Follow the link in bio for the full job description and details on how to apply.
@irishhealthservice@artscouncilireland
✨ Get ready for The Big Bealtaine Tea Party, an afternoon bursting with art, song and celebration. 🎉
An unmissable event featuring actor Bríd Ní Neachtain, writer Tom Dredge, and storyteller Ruth Marshall, with powerful performances from the Bealtaine Dawn Chorus Flagship Choir @handsinharmonydeafchoir and @terenurecollegecommunitychoir .
Inspired by Iggy Pop’s Lust for Life, the event reimagines ageing as energy, vitality and creative force. 🔥
🍽️ A delicious lunch by @fruitiondublin is included in your ticket
• ISL provided
🏛️ Supported by @immaireland and @singire
🎟️ Tickets available via the link in our bio — don’t miss out as seats are limited!
#Bealtaine2026 #CreativityAtEveryAge #CommunityCelebration #LustForLife
@age_opp@irishhealthservice@artscouncilireland
👉 Who are you bringing along?
Every year, circa 34,000 older people take part in physical activity funded through the Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme.
Today, over 1,000 groups across the country were announced as recipients under the 2026 scheme.
Grant funding for 2026 will support the rollout of activities such as pickleball, dancing, walking, cycling, table tennis, walking football, yoga and much more.
Visit www.ageandopportunity.ie for more.
We are delighted to announce €300,000 in grants to support sport and physical activity among older people today.
The Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme, which is funded by @sportireland , has allocated funding to over 1,000 clubs, groups and organisations this year.
Grant funding will support activities such as pickleball, dancing, walking, cycling, table tennis, walking football, yoga and much more.
Find out more at www.ageandopportunity.ie
A glimpse from yesterday's official Bealtaine Festival launch!
We gathered in the Project Arts Centre with Liz McManus, @mikehanrahanmusic , @tumblecircus , @phillymc , @barbarascully111 , @dj_dandelion , Karen Horgan, Dr. Tara Byrne & Sophie Motley for a special photocall to mark the unveiling of the full Bealtaine 2026 Festival Programme, celebrating arts, creativity and the spirit of ‘Lust for Life’ across Ireland. 💛
The countdown to May is officially on, and we can’t wait to see communities nationwide come together for another inspiring festival.
📖 The full programme is now live - discover what’s happening near you at bealtaine.ie.
@bealtainefestival@irishhealthservice@artscouncilireland
#Bealtaine2026 #FestivalLaunch #LustForLife #ArtsAndAgeing #Bealtaine
Happy International Women’s Day!
Meet Marian McCaughley who is one of our Arts Programme participants.
Marian, a retired School Principal, has always had a strong interest in the arts. However, it’s only in retirement that she has had the time to actively seek out new cultural experiences.
Last year, while looking for something different to do on her birthday, she discovered Age & Opportunity’s Bealtaine Festival and signed up for some of the events. She particularly enjoyed the African Drumming Workshop. After reaching out to our Arts team with positive feedback, Marian was then invited to join a panel discussion to share her views in the Bealtaine Gathering event, “What Do Older People Really Want (in Programming)”.
Marian spoke about the value of multicultural engagement. She reflected on how Irish society has become increasingly diverse, yet how little we know about one another. She believes that arts events offer a meaningful way for older generations to connect across cultures — far beyond the brief interactions that often happen in more functional settings. She would also like to see more use of local amenities for arts events. She believes that an event in a welcoming environment (which includes a cup of tea at the end) would benefit everyone and help us understand each other more.
Marian encourages everyone to get involved in the arts: “I think in a way it’s a treat for yourself — try something different, you know, like choosing something new on a menu.”
Age & Opportunity’s Bealtaine Festival is Ireland’s national festival celebrating the arts and ageing. This month-long festival in May features performances, exhibitions, discussions, workshops and readings by artists working in different art forms all over Ireland.
For more information on how to get involved in this year’s festival, visit https://bealtaine.ie/
Details of all Age & Opportunity’s initiatives can be found on our website here: https://ageandopportunity.ie/
#InternationalWomensDay #BealtaineFestival #AgeandOpportunity
@artscouncilireland@irishhealthservice@bealtainefestival
What if growing older was seen as a time of growth, creativity and connection? At Age & Opportunity, that's exactly what we believe.
Discover more about what we do, visit https://ageandopportunity.ie/
Invitation to Tender: Charter Engagement Coordinator
Age & Opportunity is seeking a Charter Engagement Coordinator to support the rollout of the Arts & Creative Charter for Older People, enhancing access and inclusion in arts programming nationwide.
Deadline: 12 noon, Friday 9 January 2026
Contract: January–March 2026 | Budget: Up to €8,000
Key Responsibilities:
✔ Support arts organisations in adopting the Charter
✔ Coordinate resources, promotional materials & stakeholder engagement
✔ Prepare for national launch
How to Apply:
Submit your proposal (700 words), CV, tax clearance, insurance details, and fee breakdown to [email protected].
Late applications will not be accepted.
For full details, visit: https://bealtaine.ie/invitation-to-tender-for-charter-engagement-coordinator/
We have an opportunity for a candidate with a strong Arts administration background to join our Arts Programme team as our Arts Programme Administrator. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the area of arts and ageing, working in a very rewarding and diverse role.
𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Part-time, 25 hours per week (ideally over 5 mornings but negotiable)
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁: Fixed term contract for 12 months
𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘆: €23,333 per annum (pro-rata of 35,000, based on 37.5 hours per week).
𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼: Arts Programme Manager (and Arts Programme Assistant Manager in her absence).
𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Hybrid. This will involve a mixture of working from home and a requirement to attend our offices / events in Dublin for two days per week. The employee will also be required to be available and travel locally and nationally for events, in particular in May, for the Bealtaine Festival.
Link to full job description and person specification here: https://ow.ly/cc6c50Xcn2y
Please send your CV and cover letter, outlining your suitability to the role, by email to [email protected]
Closing date is Wednesday 29th October at 12.00 noon and Interviews will be held on Friday 7th November in Dublin.
All applicants from countries outside the E.U. are required to provide relevant work authorisation to take up employment in Republic of Ireland. This must be submitted as part of the application process with your CV and cover letter.
Shortlisting based on the criteria outlined in the job description and person specification will apply.
Age & Opportunity is an equal opportunities employer.
For more information on Age & Opportunity and our Arts programme please visit https://ow.ly/Zx6R50Xcn2z
@artscouncilireland@irishhealthservice@bealtainefestival
