'We wanted to see what goes on' Laois retired group come to council meeting

There was a full audience at January's Laois County Council meeting in Portlaoise, thanks to the presence of many older residents of Ballyroan.

Nearly 20 members sat and listened to updates on council events, from council housing developments and land deals, to Laois library plans for the coming five years, and the CEO's monthly updates.

Ber McWey, secretary told the Leinster Express / Laois Live why they wanted to come to the public meeting, where usually the press are the only attendants at the monthly meeting that can go on for over four hours.

"We wanted to see what goes on. It has been very interesting. It was very pleasant, I was actually expecting more negativity.

"Hearing all about the libraries was great, we go to events in Portlaoise library and it's brilliant, we were warmly welcomed by Tom Curran, the Age friendly Coordinator for Laois," she said.

Ballyroan Active Retired has about 30 members, Ber said.

"We've been helped by the council with funding to buy exercise equipment and now we hold an exercise class in our hall every Tuesday for the over 50's. We have activator poles, yoga mats, we do chair volleyball and boccia. We are proud to have such active young at heart members," Ber said.

They were welcomed by the council Cathaoirleach, who is from Ballyroan, Cllr Barry Walsh, pictured with the group in council chambers.

"Ballyroan Active Retirement is an extremely active group. They do boccia, yoga, they went on trips to Knock, the Dáil. Retirement is ahead of us all, so groups like this are important. It's important to keep active in your mind, keep your body going, keep in touch with people and make sure they're ok.

"Laois County Council won an award on active retirement, and you contributed to that, well done," Cllr Walsh said at the meeting.

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The club meet regularly in the Sue Ryder retirement village, to involve residents there. Catering for retired people, they have members aged from 65 up to 89.