This story was first published on June 27^th, 2007.

Week long celebrations planned for Ballymun

Ballymun has been chosen as one of six towns nationally to be a Positive Ageing Week town this Autumn.

Positive Ageing Week (September 28 to October 6) is an annual event run by Age Action Ireland to celebrate ageing. The purpose of the week is to show that ageing is not something to fear, but something to celebrate, Age Action chief executive Robin Webster said. It is an opportunity for older people who enjoy themselves and for communities to recognise the contribution which older people have made, and continue to make in their localities.

In addition to the 400 individual events expected to take place during the week, Ballymun will host a week-long series of events. Details of these events will be announced at the beginning of September. However, plans are being put in place for lots of musical events, dancing and a look back at the good old days.

They will join Athy, Co. Kildare, Midleton, Co. Cork, Galway city, Monaghan and Castlebar, Co. Mayo, as Positive Ageing Week towns.

Positive Ageing Week sponsors ESB Customer Supply will provide support for the towns events. We are delighted to play our part in helping to create a festive atmosphere in Ballymun, ESB Customer Supplys Community Initiatives Manager Gerry McGough said.

The local organising committee, which is comprised of representatives from Ballymun Older Persons Network, Ballymun Active Living, Ballymun Partnership, Dublin City Council and Axis Theatre, has been established and is already busy organising events for the week. The committee now needs the support of other community groups and individuals to organise events.

For more information about Positive Aging Week, contact Ellen Reddin on 087 991 4876 or Avril Dooley 087 923 1126.

More details about Positive Ageing Week, nationally, are available from Eamon Timmins, Head of Advocacy and Commumications, Age Action, 01 475 6989 or 087 968 2449.