Bealtaine Festival brings arts celebrations to nursing homes this Friday

Thursday May 20, 2021

Nursing homes will be celebrating the creative talents of residents this coming Friday, 21st May, through the inaugural National Arts in Nursing Homes Day. The initiative is part of Age & Opportunity’s Bealtaine Festival and is taking place in partnership with Nursing Homes Ireland.

Nursing home residents have been busy creating artworks to display as part of exhibitions that will be taking place to collectively celebrate the artistic talents of nursing home residents and the intrinsic role the arts achieve in providing health and therapeutic benefits to our nursing home residents.

“Arts are a creative activity that bring joy and health benefits to people of all ages and we are delighted to celebrate its role in nursing homes, coming on the back of what has been a very difficult year for the residents and staff in the sector, said Dr Tara Byrne, Arts Programme Manager and Bealtaine Festival Artistic Director, Age & Opportunity. “We are aware creative activities over the past year have been integral in helping residents overcome anxiety and have promoted resilience and happiness during the extraordinarily difficult times that presented. National Arts in Nursing Homes Day provides opportunity to acclaim the creative talents of nursing home residents and recognise the importance of artistic activities in their lives.”  

Tadhg Daly, Nursing Homes Ireland CEO adds: “We are delighted to partner with Age & Opportunity to support nursing homes participation in the 2021 Bealtaine Festival. For residents in nursing homes, the arts have a particularly special role in their lives, bringing people together to create, laugh and achieve. Nursing homes are delighted to be part of the wonderful celebrations taking place during the Festival, extending its reach into our local communities.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

For media inquiries please contact [email protected] or call 087 693 3690 or Michael McGlynn, NHI Communications & Research Executive at 087 9082970.

Age & Opportunity is the national organisation working to improve the quality of life of people aged 50 to 100+. Our aim is to inspire people aged 50+ to live a dynamic life in which they are more active, more visible, more creative and more connected. We work with communities and groups nationwide to provide a range of opportunities for older people who want to get more involved in arts and culture, sport and physical activity, civic engagement and personal development. Visit: https://ageandopportunity.ie/