CAIRDEAS – Tattyreagh St Patrick’s ‘Golden Oldies’

As part of the Ulster GAA ‘Cairdeas’ series, we will be sharing case studies of clubs in Ulster who are making an effort to increase opportunities for their elderly members to be involved.

To find out more about the Cairdeas series and submit a case study of the work your club is doing in this area, contact niamh.mcelduff.ulster@gaa.ie or maura.mcmenamin.ulster@gaa.ie

The first club to feature is Tattyreagh St Patrick’s, Co. Tyrone.

The Tattyreagh St Patrick’s club in Co. Tyrone has been leading the way in improving the health and wellbeing and social inclusion of its older members through its ‘Golden Oldies’ group.

The initiative began when the club formed a working group last April with an aim to achieving GAA Heathy Club status by August 2025.

Three areas of focus were outlined; physical activity events throughout the year for the whole community such as an annual 5k/5-mile run, a club sports event and the yearly Irish Life walking challenge; the health and well-being of youth members, and the social inclusion of older people within the club.

There had previously been a group of older members which met regularly prior to the Covid pandemic, but unfortunately these meetings ceased during this period,” said Tattyreagh Healthy Club Officer Claire Cartin.

The group was reformed last spring however, with activities arranged in the club every Friday afternoon for older people in the community, led by Claire and other club volunteers Caroline Taggart, Siobhan O’Neill, Therese Armstrong, Joan Lindsay, Sinead McGinn, Joan Lindsay, Clare Marie Darcy and Louise McKnight.

The need for the project was identified via a survey, and activities were promoted on the club’s social media and club app. A typical ‘Golden Oldies’ get-together would consist of some physical activity such as walking or exercise in the gym, then afterwards reconvening as a group for tea, scones and buns.

Last May, the club sponsored a daytrip to Rossnowlagh, Co. Donegal, and in October another trip to Ballybofey was self-funded by the group themselves.

In conjunction with the Community group in the area, the ‘Golden Oldies’ joined with children from the local Sacred Heart Primary School to plant bulbs at the local crossroads, which will hopefully flower in springtime.

The group has grown in numbers and has been thoroughly enjoyed by all, with the benefits of social inclusion and physical activity being described as “immense”.

“The An Taite Riabhach club is dedicated to ensuring that the GAA and its values enrich the lives of our members, families and the communities we serve,” says Claire.

“We are committed to active lifelong participation for all and to providing the best facilities. We actively seek to engage with and include all members of our society. We promote individual development and well-being and strive to enable our members to achieve their full potential in their chosen roles.”

The growing older people’s group has ensured that the health and well-being and social inclusion of these members is a priority for our club, and the focus going forward in 2025 is to examine other activities that can provide for the group such as securing a grant for a polytunnel.

“There are many more older people in our community who are not involved, the aim going forward is to try and involve and attract people to attend the weekly social meetings.”