Active retirement groups

Active life in retirement

There are many organisations set to support people with:

  • Activities
  • Campaigning
  • Support, including for carers

This page summarises the supports available. Contact your local Citizens Information Centre or library to find groups in your local area.

Activity-based groups

Activity-based groups include active retirement associations, sports, arts, and culture groups.

Active Retirement Ireland (ARI)
A national network of local active retirement associations that helps retired people to enjoy a full and active life and to advocate for them. You can contact ARI to find your local active retirement association or to get information on how to set up a new group.

Age and Opportunity
Age and Opportunity works to promote opportunities for greater participation by older people in society in a range of areas from the arts and physical activity to promoting age equality.

Campaigning

The following organisations lobby for the rights of older people by campaigning to raise awareness of and influencing government policy:

Irish Senior Citizens Parliament
The organisation represents the interests of older people to the government and other public bodies on issues such as income, health, or housing.

National Federation of Pensioners’ Associations
As a representative body for pensioners’ organisations the Federation aims to protect and promote the interests of pensioners and retired people with issues including social welfare, health, superannuation, and tax.

Age Action Ireland
A national advocacy body on ageing and older people. It works to empower older people to live full lives as actively engaged citizens and to secure their rights to high-quality services according to their changing needs.

Support and information

The following groups offer support and information to older people and their carers:

Seniorline
Seniorline is a confidential listening service run by older people for isolated or lonely older people. The line is open every day from 10am to 10pm, Freephone: 1800 80 45 91.

Retirement Planning Council of Ireland
The Council aims to prepare people for life after they retire from work. It develops and organises preparation for retirement and life-changing courses, helping them to become aware of the advantages and problems of retirement.

ALONE
ALONE supports vulnerable older people by providing temporary or permanent housing and combatting isolation and loneliness in society. Volunteers and staff work with older people in ALONE’s dedicated housing projects and the community.

Friends of the Elderly
A charity that brings friendship and social opportunities to older people, especially those who live alone. Its volunteers visit people in their homes in the Greater Dublin area.

Family Carers Ireland

The organisation advocates on behalf of family carers in the home. It provides a range of services and supports to family carers including information on benefits and entitlements, respite care and training. It has a network of carers’ resource centres.

Care Alliance Ireland

A national umbrella group which represents family carers’ organisations.

Page edited: 22 August 2023