It's official! Offaly is the best place in Ireland for older people

A recent study has identified the best counties in Ireland for older people, with Offaly claiming the top spot.

As people enter their golden years, choosing a county that offers comfort, health, and affordability becomes a key priority. Ireland, known for its stunning countryside, vibrant communities, and excellent healthcare, is home to many counties ideal for retirement living.

To help people find their retirement location, the research team at Comfort Keepers, who provide homecare services to older people across Ireland, conducted a comprehensive study to identify the best counties in Ireland for retirement.

The study analyzed 10 key factors, such as the number of urgent care centers per 100 km² (county radius), average wait times at hospitals (months), hospital beds availability per 1,000 people, healthcare assistants density, overall cost of living, distance from Dublin (km), average temperature (°C), humidity levels (lower values indicate better quality), air quality index (lower values indicate better quality), and the number of curated trails per 1,000 people.

It’s no surprise that Offaly claims the top spot. With its strong healthcare services, affordable cost of living, and pleasant climate, Offaly offers older adults everything they need for a comfortable life. The county boasts a carer density of 30.38 per 1,000 people and a hospital bed availability of 3.88 per 1,000 residents, making it one of the best in Ireland. Offaly’s overall cost of living is also the lowest in the top 10 at just €1,058.60.

Offaly benefits from a mild climate, with an average temperature of 11°C and a relative humidity of 97%, providing a welcoming environment for retirees. Its abundance of walking trails adds to its appeal. Offaly’s excellent performance across all categories earned it a total score of 67.79, securing its place as the best county for older residents.

Longford comes in second, excelling in healthcare with 18.12 hospital beds per 1,000 people and a carer density of 22.23 per 1,000 residents. While its cost of living is higher than Offaly's at €1,518.80, Longford makes up for it with its closeness to Dublin and good environmental conditions, like an average temperature of 11°C and a relative humidity of 92%. These factors contributed to its total score of 55.42.

Kerry, famous for its stunning landscapes, takes third place. The county offers 6.51 walking trails per 1,000 people, the second-highest in the rankings, and a mild climate with an average temperature of 11.5°C. While Kerry stands out in recreation, it lags slightly in carer density and hospital bed availability. Its total score of 54.21 reflects its strengths in outdoor activities and air quality.

Westmeath ranks fourth, offering a balance between healthcare access and affordability. The county has a high number of urgent care centers and short hospital wait times. While the cost of living is relatively high at €1,808.87, Westmeath’s closeness to Dublin and comfortable climate contribute to its total score of 51.06.

Kildare comes in fifth. With a high number of urgent care centers and solid healthcare services, Kildare is a great choice for older individuals. However, its higher cost of living at €2,046.04 and fewer recreational options affect its overall score, which stands at 49.68.

Laois takes sixth place, leading with 70 urgent care centers per 100 km². While Laois offers reasonable living costs and a good climate, its limited recreational trails and average hospital bed availability bring its total score to 49.48.

Wexford earns seventh place, combining affordability with strong carer support. With an average temperature of 11°C and relative humidity of 96%, Wexford is a great option for active retirees. Its total score of 49.36 reflects a good mix of cost, healthcare, and lifestyle opportunities.

Cork ranks eighth, standing out for its recreational opportunities, with the highest number of curated trails in the rankings. While its cost of living is higher at €1,862.92, Cork’s beautiful scenery and solid healthcare services contribute to its total score of 48.56.

Galway comes ninth, offering a mix of accessibility and value. With 5.58 hospital beds per 1,000 people and 32.56 carers per 1,000 residents, Galway provides good healthcare support. Its mild climate and clean air add to its total score of 48.32.

Meath rounds out the top 10. Known for its closeness to Dublin and reliable urgent care infrastructure, Meath offers older adults accessible healthcare and some recreational options. However, its higher cost of living at €1,943.95 lowers its total score to 47.87.