Galway wins Age Friendly Transport Award for Bus Shelters

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 12:50:00 GMT

 ‌

 Garret Doocey, Department of Transport, Linda Potter, Community Department, Mary McGann, Age Friendly Programme Manager, Rachel Lowe, Senior Engineer Roads & Transportation Unit, Ramona Burke, Community Department, Anne Mitchell, Galway County OPC & Marty Whelan, Master of Ceremonies at the Age Friendly Awards 2024

Galway County Council was honoured at Ireland's Annual National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards, held at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Santry, Dublin recetnly. Organised by Age Friendly Ireland, the Awards showcase and celebrate age friendly initiatives across the World Health Organisation Age Friendly Themes.  

The Council’s innovative project, the Cnoc (Inverin) and Casla Bus Shelters, won the overall national award under the Age Friendly Transport Award category, sponsored by the Department of Transport. The Age Friendly Transport Award category celebrates initiatives that enhance mobility for older adults, supporting them in reaching their desired destinations safely and conveniently. The Award Category recognises that access to high-quality and reliable transport options significantly improves the quality of life for older adults, helping them maintain their independence and active engagement with the community.

Having been nominated by the Roads and Transportation Unit, the Competition Judges visited the project in late September receiving a presentation on the projects and meeting local residents who have been impacted positively by these vital infrastructural projects.      

Uinsinn Finn, Director of Services, welcomed the Award stating “Galway County Council’s project was recognised for its thoughtful planning and design of bus shelters that specifically accommodate the needs of local people with disabilities and older adults.  This was done by carefully re-orienting the shelters to protect users from prevailing westerly winds, ensuring a more comfortable and accessible waiting area. This was reflected in the comments of the Judging Panel who praised the council’s inclusive approach and its meaningful impact on the local community. The judges were particularly moved by the personal stories shared by shelter users, which highlighted how the council’s efforts addressed essential community needs. 

Liam Conneely, Chief Executive, and Chair of the Age Friendly Alliance, added: “The council’s dedication to working closely with local residents, collaborating on elements such as orientation and land dedications, demonstrated a commitment to creating spaces that are responsive to the real-world needs of older people and those with disabilities. This is completely in line with the ethos of the age friendly programme which is aimed at enabling people to ‘age in place’.   Galway County Council’s recognition at the Age Friendly Awards highlights the importance of the support of our elected councillors and associated funding, whose commitment to age friendly initiatives has been instrumental in bringing these projects to life that promotes inclusivity, accessibility, and quality of life for all our residents.”

For more information see: Winners of the 2024 National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards Revealed | Age Friendly Ireland