The Magpies bowls team from Midleton claimed the top prize at the 2024 Active Retirement Ireland national indoor mats bowling competition, which took place at the Gleneagle INEC Arena in Killarney, Co Kerry last week.
Magpies’ team members Breda Treacy, Denis Mulcahy, Denis Heffernan and skip Liam Hickey were presented with the large bowls cup on Thursday 12th by Active Retirement Ireland National President, Mai Quaid.
The large bowls cup final was an all-Cork show this year, with Owenacurra bowling team, also from Midleton and surrounds, coming in second place.
Over three days, 42 Active Retirement teams from across the country competed for the Active Retirement Ireland Cup in indoor mat bowls at the organisation’s twelfth annual flagship event.
PARTICIPANTS – ‘EPITOME OF POSITIVE AGEING’
CEO of Active Retirement Ireland, Maureen Kavanagh congratulated the winners at the awards presentation.
“Congratulations to the Magpies bowls team for their brilliant achievement at this year’s National Bowls Competition, taking home the large bowls cup for the second year in a row.
“This competition is testament to the drive and determination of older people to enjoy an active and social lifestyle and age well. The 168 bowlers who have competed this week, our volunteer officials and all Active Retirement Ireland members are the epitome of positive ageing and should be fully supported in their commitment to getting out there and living their best lives.
“The government has a real opportunity now to build strong policies into the new programme for government that will embed a positive ageing framework in Ireland and enable older people to live independent, active and full lives.
“We are grateful to our event host the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney for being an ally to older people and recognising the valuable contribution that they make, and for their generous support in making this event possible each year.”
There are 515 local Active Retirement Associations (ARAs) in local communities across Ireland – groups of older people who come together to organise social events and activities to reduce isolation and loneliness – supported by the national body Active Retirement Ireland.
