Ballybrophy Train Station awarded Age Friendly Status

Ballybrophy Train Station has officially been awarded 'Age Friendly' status by Age Friendly Ireland, recognising Iarnród Éireann’s commitment to making public transport more accessible, inclusive, and welcoming, particularly for older adults and people with disabilities.

This significant recognition follows an extensive process aligned with the principles of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Network of Age Friendly Cities and Communities.

The station is close to North Tipperary and Offaly and is on the same line as that serviced by Cloughjordan, Roscrea and Nenagh.

Pictured above is Minister for Older People, Kieran O’Donnell TD, as he unveils the new Age Friendly plaque at Ballybrophy Train Station

The initiative was led by Age Friendly Ireland, the national organisation delivering the Government’s vision of an Age Friendly Ireland, in collaboration with the Laois Age Friendly Programme, Laois County Council and Iarnród Éireann.

The recognition of Ballybrophy Station with Age Friendly status also marks the official launch of Iarnród Éireann’s Age Friendly Stations Initiative, an initiative which ultimately intends for all of the 146 stations nationwide to attain Age Friendly Status.

Phase one of Iarnród Éireann’s Age Friendly Station Initiative will see a group of ten carefully selected stations from across the rail network go through the audit and recognition process.

Ballybrophy Train Station now joins Killkenny’s MacDonagh Train Station and a growing number of public services and buildings across the country — including hospitals and sporting arenas — that have gone through the four-stage process to be formally recognised as Age Friendly.

At Ballybrophy Station, Minister for Older People, Kieran O’Donnell TD, was delighted to unveil the Age Friendly plaque, remarking:

“My priority is ensuring that as people get older, they are supported to live in their own homes and communities with the correct wraparound supports. Making public transport more accessible and age friendly is part of the toolkit to ensure older people can age well and remain connected and integrated in their communities.”

Anna May McHugh, Age Friendly Laois Ambassador and Managing Director of the National Ploughing Association, said: “It is a privilege to see our local communities come together with a shared goal of ensuring everyone is included and no one is left behind when we are creating public services in Ireland.

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“With a high number of older people living in rural communities such as Ballybrophy, it is important that they have equal access to public transport, and that the work is done to ensure they can have a high quality of life.

“I want to empower older people in rural communities to avail of these services, and continue to live a long and social life. I look forward to taking more trips via Ballybrophy, knowing it now carries the Age Friendly mark,” she said.