Rural Ireland’s lonely get helping hand

A POWERFUL light of hope and support was shone yesterday into one of the dark corners of rural Ireland — loneliness among older men living alone.

Studies have shown that loneliness, which can lead to depression and other health risks, is a particular problem for some of those who live in isolated areas and are shy of attending social events.

President Mary McAleese and her husband Martin witnessed the signs of rural isolation first-hand during their visits to community gatherings countrywide over the years, where women always outnumbered the men present.

This motivated them to host a forum at Áras an Úachtaráin to explore the reasons why older men were largely absent from such events.

One of the statistics that emerged was that about one-third of the 200,000 men who are over the age of 65 in Ireland live on their own.

As a result of the discussions, a GAA Social Initiative was established on a pilot basis and formally launched by the President at Croke Park yesterday.

It will run in four counties — Mayo, Kerry, Wexford and Fermanagh — until March 2010, when it will be reviewed with the intention of rolling out the model on a national basis.

A large number of older rural men from the pilot counties attended the event yesterday. They chatted with the President, saw the Ireland rugby team train for tomorrow’s game against England and told earthy stories to one another about rural life and how it has changed.

Mrs McAleese said what the GAA is offering is a heartfelt and personal invitation that will, over time, lead to greater participation, sustained friendship and support. But it is a two-way street, she said, because older men have years of experience, wisdom, skills, stories and talent to share.

The President praised the GAA for leading the way in finding ways to engage those whom, she said, Dr Mick Loftus memorably describes as “fellas that never leave their houses”.

“We know there are some who are content never to leave the house but we also know there are many who have lost the threads of regular and meaningful social contact and who would welcome the chance to revive their social lives,” she said.

GAA president Nickey Brennan said the initiative is supported by many other groups too. It is a community project engaging older men who may for one reason or another participate little in local community life.

Mr Brennan told the men present that no one should feel isolated. “We want the local GAA to look out for you and welcome you to events,” he said.