AGE & Opportunity has awarded €13,810 in grants to 47 groups in Donegal to support sport and physical activity among older people.
The funding forms part of the organisation’s Active National Grant Scheme, which is backed by Sport Ireland and is distributing €300,000 to more than 1,000 clubs, groups and organisations across Ireland in 2026.
Recipients include Family Carers, Men’s and Women’s Sheds, Irish Countrywomen’s Association branches, Active Retirement Groups and Physical Activity Leaders.
Grant funding for 2026 will support the rollout of activities for older people, and will enable groups to purchase sports equipment and host events.
Minister of State Charlie McConalogue TD said the scheme supports local groups in growing participation among older people, noting that participation levels in this age group continue to rise.
Since the scheme launched in 2001, more than 20,000 grants totalling almost €8.5 million have been awarded. Around 34,000 older people take part in physical activity funded through the scheme each year.
Ballybofey and Stranorlar Golf Club.
Sue Guildea, Active Programme Manager at Age & Opportunity, said the response to this year’s scheme had been “incredible.”
She added that a third of the 2026 grant funding is directed to areas of disadvantage, while 60 per cent supports physical activity in active retirement and other older adult groups.
“Older age should be a time of opportunity and through this grant scheme, older people have improved access to recreational sport and targeted opportunities to engage in physical activity,” she said.
The National Active Grant Scheme is delivered with support from the HSE, Local Sports Partnerships and other local agencies.
Organisations funded in Donegal
The Forge Family Resource Centre, Carrowmenagh Community Centre, Áislann Rann na Feirste, ADoPT, Swilly Sisters’ Shed, Lakehouse Nursing Home, Pobal Eascarrach, Greencastle Community Development CLG, Spraoi Agus Sport, Redcastle Community Development, Killaghtee Active Retirement Association, Ramelton Indoor Bowling Club, Cranford Womens Group, Letterkenny Community Centre CLG, Ballindrait Badminton Club, Drimarone Development CLG, Family Carers Ireland Donegal, Pobail Le Chéile, Sliabh Sneacht Centre, Serenity House Learning Centre, Downstrands Family Resource Centre, Mevagh Day Centre CLG, Lifford 50+ Group ARA, Rosbeg and Downstrands Care of the Aged Committee, Club Rothaíochta Chú Uladh, The Black Memorial Hall Committee, Lár Chomhairle Paróiste Ghleann Cholm Cille, Coole Cranford Community Centre, Carrick Sheltered Housing, Ballybofey & Stranorlar Women’s Group, Rossnowlagh Surf Club, Ballybofey & Stranorlar Golf Club Ladies, Active Seniors Lettermacaward and Doochary, Kilmacrennan Young at Heart Group, Mens Shed Carn, Friends of the Glen Active Retirement Group, Mná Phort Mhaise, Twin Towns Friday Club, Ballyshannon & District ARA, Arranmore Welfare Committee, Manorcunningham Women’s Group, Letterkenny ARA, Kurling Club Raphoe ARA, Ballintra Active Group, Manor Kurling Club, Comharchumann Forbartha Ghaoth Dobhair – Club 50, Bundoran Social Club.
Further information is available at www.ageandopportunity.ie