Westmeath woman is first guest on new podcast

Published: Fri 20 Aug 2021, 10:44 AM

Last updated: Fri 20 Aug 2021, 10:46 AM

Westmeath woman and president of Active Retirement Ireland Anne Drury is the first guest on a new podcast exploring healthy ageing in Ireland, ‘The Old Country’.

The 12-part series is produced by Active Retirement Ireland and will look at issues around ageing such as combatting ageism, age-friendly environments and integrated and long-term care.

In the first episode, Anne, from Multyfarnham, speaks to activist, broadcaster and podcast host Peter Kavanagh, about what it means to age well, and how many people can miss the opportunity to make the most out of retirement.

Finding herself at a loose end after retirement, Ms Drury joined her local Active Retirement group, initially to teach yoga. This began a decade long involvement with Active Retirement Ireland, leading to her election as President of the organisation in 2020.

Each episode of the podcast will feature a guest involved in making Ireland a better place to grow older, from older people themselves to activists and policy experts. Fortnightly episodes will examine the challenges and opportunities which an ageing population brings.

The podcast, which is available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify and iTunes and through the Active Retirement Ireland website, has been created to mark the beginning of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing and is supported by the Community Foundation for Ireland.

The next two episodes of The Old Country will feature:

Prof Kieran Walsh, Irish Centre for Social Gerontology, NUI Galway, who will explore the policy challenges an ageing population brings and Mai Quaid, Development Officer with Active Retirement Ireland, on loneliness and isolation.