Slieve Russell Hotel nominated for age-friendly award

The Slieve Russell Hotel in Ballyconnell has been shortlisted for the Age Friendly Business Innovation Award at the 2025 National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards.

The team at the award-winning hotel have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to creating inclusive, supportive communities where older people can live well, feel valued, and stay connected.

Earlier this year, the local hotel was declared the first dementia/Alzheimer's friendly hotel in Ireland.

There are 25 specially trained staff or 'Dementia Champions' employed at the hotel. The Slieve Russell also transformed two bedrooms to make the stay of visitors with dementia and their loved ones more comfortable.

Features include different coloured frames on the doors to make them stand out, blinds that can be pulled down over mirrors, walk-in showers and grab rails, and special electric kettles that can rotate and swivel on their base without falling over.

Picture and little memory books also feature in the rooms to take people back in time.

The clock tells the time, but also what day it is and whether it is morning or afternoon.

The bed clothes are designed to provide definition and outline of the bed and this is all complimented by a walk-in shower and additional grab rails.

Now in its ninth year, the National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards shine a spotlight on the people, projects, and partnerships driving real change for older people in towns, cities, and rural areas right across Ireland. Each shortlisted initiative has been selected for its impact, innovation, and potential to inspire similar efforts in other communities.

Among the nationwide shortlisted projects are Gas Networks Ireland and Tirlán, who are both up for Age Friendly Business Innovation.

This annual celebration is run by Age Friendly Ireland, the national body for Ireland’s 31 local authorities, delivering the Government's vision of an Age Friendly Ireland.

The awards ceremony will take place on October 23 at The Galmont Hotel, Galway, jointly hosted by Galway City Council and Galway County Council.

The 2025 National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards will honour achievements across eight categories for best in Age Friendly Transport; Active and Healthy Ageing; Business Innovation; Safety and Security; Communications; Environment; Community Innovation; and Housing.

For more information about this year’s awards and finalists, visit agefriendlyireland.ie