Bealtaine Festival 1 May – 31 May
The month of May belongs to the Bealtaine festival, celebrating creativity as we age! The Bealtaine Festival gives everyone the opportunity to discover a new talent or find a new way to use an old skill. It is an opening to make new friends and connect with your community. Bealtaine is co-ordinated by Age and Opportunity, the national organisation working to promote greater participation by older people in society. The name “Bealtaine” comes from the ancient Celtic festival of that name celebrating springtime, freshness and renewal.
In South Dublin County the number of people age 65 and over is 23,053 and is rising. Our aging population offers both challenges and opportunities to South Dublin County.
In South Dublin we have developed useful links and working relationships between our partner agencies and services providers. We have established the Age Friendly County Alliance and Tús Nua Older Persons Forum. It raises more awareness of issues affecting older persons and allows us to put the necessary structures in place to address this. South Dublin County is fully committed to being an Age Friendly County.
South Dublin County Council has organised a number of events during the month to celebrate this festival and has produced a programme to advertise the wide variety of events and activities that are planned for the festival.
There is an opportunity here for everybody to try out something new! Some of the activities include crafts, computer classes, horticultural workshops, walking, tea dance, ballroom dancing etc.
This year we are inviting people let the Bealtaine Festival be part of their life using their imagination to show how creative they are. (Applications forms and Programme of Events for the month can be downloaded from www.sdcc.ie)
For further information please contact Maria Finn, Social Inclusion Officer, Housing, Social and Community Development Department, South Dublin County Council.
Tel: 01 414 9270 or 086 380 3060 or email mfinn@sdublincoco.ie
Website: www.sdcc.ie
