Leitrim win first prize at National Age Friendly Awards

Leitrim’s Sweeter the Tune project has been named a winner at the National Age Friendly Awards 2023. The National Age Friendly Awards 2023 took place on Thursday, November 30, with Leitrim’s entry scooping the Community Innovation Award.

The ‘Sweeter the Tune’ Project was developed under the Creative Ireland Programme and funded through Creative Ireland's Creativity in Older Age fund. Leitrim County Council and Leitrim Development Company worked with established older Artists in the county - John McDwyer, Cathy Carmen and Charlie McGettigan and three Active Age Groups through the Leitrim Active Age Forum to deliver the programme.

The Active Age Groups, Annaduff ICA, Drumkeeran Friendship Club and Mohill Active Age Group, were matched with the Artists to work together to create three pieces of art. The project concluded with an exhibition of the work, which included a sculpture, a book titled ‘Looking Back’ and a film.

The "Sweeter the Tune" project successfully demonstrated that the quality and depth of an artist’s work is enhanced with age. The central part of the project saw the artist and their group collaborate on a project where the creative exploration and practice of the group members was the priority.

This was facilitated by Jo Holmwood, Project Manager and supported by Alice Dixon, Leitrim County Council Creative Ireland Projects Manager, Anna McTiernan, Older Peoples Services Coordinator at Leitrim Development Company and Philip Delamere, Leitrim County Council Arts Officer.

In June 2023 Age Friendly Ireland invited applications from Local Authorities for the National Age Friendly Recognition Awards 2023. Leitrim County Council entered the ‘Sweeter the Tune Project’ in the Age Friendly Community Innovation Category.

On Wednesday, October 10, the Judging Panel visited Leitrim to complete the Judging Process and meet with representatives of the Active Age Groups and the Artists that worked on the project in the Dock Arts Centre, Carrick-on-Shannon.

The Judges visiting Leitrim were Ms. Jackie Maguire, former Chief Executive of Leitrim and Meath County Councils, and Mr. Peter Hynes, former Chief Executive of Mayo County Council. Also in attendance was Ms. Sylvia McCarthy (Age Friendly Communications and Operations Manager).

Pictured: (L-R) Sinéad Flynn (Leitrim County Council), Teresa Faughnan, Irene Redican, Cllr. Paddy O’Rourke, Angela Flynn, Anna McTiernan (Leitrim Development Company), Pat Tearall

Ms. Teresa Faughnan and Ms. Rosaleen Lynch represented the Annaduff ICA, Ms. Angela Flynn represented the Drumkeerin Friendship Club and Ms. Pat Tearall represented the Mohill Active Age Group.

The participants relayed their personal account and experience of working collaboratively with the Artists to deliver their projects. From 160 entries across 9 categories, the Sweeter the Tune were amongst the 27 entries that were shortlisted.

The National Age Friendly Awards Ceremony took place in Clayton White’s Hotel, Wexford on November 30 with Marty Morrissey as MC on the night.

Representatives from the Sweeter the Tune project were joined by 3 the other shortlisted projects competing for the Community Innovation Award; “The Art of Living”, Cork County Council, “Beech Hill College Intergenerational Project” Monaghan County Council and “Age Friendly University Initiative” Dublin City University.

The Sweeter the Tune Project proved victorious on the night and along with recognition for their meaningful work, received a unique piece of crystal.

Pictured: (L-R) Anna McTiernan (Leitrim Development Company), Pat Tearall, Irene Redican, Angela Flynn, Teresa Faughnan and Sinéad Flynn (Leitrim County Council)

The aim of the Awards is to celebrate innovative and creative initiatives, implemented across the country which have made a real difference to the lives of older people in Ireland.

The awards were sponsored and presented by partners in Age Friendliness, including the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design at the NDA, Department of Transport, An Garda Siochana, Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage, Department of Rural & Community Development, Chambers Ireland, An Post and the HSE.

Congratulations to all involved in the project.