Page 17 - Active Retirement Ireland 2015_

would provide the active retired with a public voice,
which should be used to influence policies affecting
their lifestyle.” The late Maurice Kennedy, a founder
member in Dun Laoghaire, a tireless promoter of
Active Retirement in its early years and a man of vision,
agreed with these words and saw the greater benefits
that would derive from the closer working together of
all these new associations. With that in mind, in 1985
he called a meeting of representatives of existing
groups to consider the formation of a Federation of
Active Retirement Associations (FARA). This meeting
approved the establishment of the new Federation and
Maurice became its first National President, a position
he held until 1989.
Around this time Muiris Prenderville, with other founder
members, was instrumental in putting together the
first constitution for FARA. A specimen constitution for
use by individual associations was also produced.
The organisation continued to attract new groups and
members, and by 1992, membership was over 6,000
in 68 local groups. In 1993, Muiris Prenderville and
Blanchardstown ARA initiated an intergenerational
programme called “Age Link” with transition year
pupils from local community schools. This programme
was then taken on board nationally by FARA and “Age
Link” was accepted as a project for the European Year
of Older Persons.
In 2008 the landscape of Irish life changed for
older people. When the then-Government announced
sweeping changes to medical card eligibility for over-
70s in Ireland, Active Retirement members found
themselves representing their communities in the
face of austerity-driven cuts. A vocal advocate for
older people’s rights, Tony Award-winning actress Anna
Manahan became the first patron of Active Retirement
Ireland, ushering in a new role for the national
organisation: as advocates for older people’s rights.
At around this time, Active Retirement Ireland
began a ground-breaking relationship with Atlantic
Philanthropies, who agreed to fund the development of
the organisation. This led to an increase in national and
regional events, including training and development
for volunteer members. It also led to the expansion
of the full-time staff of the organisation from two to
seven.
Since the arrival of Atlantic Philanthropies, the change
in the organisation has been monumental. We now
represent over 24,500 members in more than 570 local
associations nationwide. In 2012, Ballyna Area Active
Retirement Association became the 500th Active
Retirement group; and in 2013 we were delighted
to welcome Slieve Gallion ARA as the first Active
Retirement Association from Northern Ireland. After
the death of Anna Manahan, President Michael D.
Higgins accepted the role of patron, and continues to
be a vocal supporter of older people’s rights.
Key to the expansion of Active Retirement Ireland has
been the introduction of a development team. Initially
consisting of one development officer per region, the
team has expanded to include a full outreach team in
most of our nine regions. You can find out who is on
your local development team in this annual.
Active Retirement Ireland has also expanded the range
of events it offers to its members. As the Federation
of Active Retirement Associations we had an annual
general meeting, but few other opportunities for
members to meet each other and enjoy themselves
as part of a national organisation. We now have
a National Bowls Competition, a massive Trade &
Tourism show and dozens of other opportunities for
groups to get together through shared holidays, cluster
meetings or regional events.
The future of Active Retirement Ireland, as always, is
in the hands of its members. Every local group has
a direct say in the governance of the organisation
through the representatives they send to regional
council meetings and national AGMs. However the
organisation has grown, it remains a group run by
volunteers, for volunteers. Your Active Retirement
experience is yours to explore…
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