What is happening
A local working group of community members and agency representatives is partnering with the HSE and Breffni Family Resource Centre to host a dementia awareness evening in Carrick-on-Shannon. The event, designed to help the town become more inclusive for people living with dementia and their families, will take place on October 1, 2025 at 7 p.m. in the Landmark Hotel. Attendance is free and open to everyone—neighbors, colleagues, customers, volunteers, and community groups alike.
The evening is part of a broader effort to create dementia-inclusive communities across Leitrim and beyond. While Leitrim already features a range of services and organisations working toward inclusion, this event aims to translate goodwill into practical steps that individuals and organisations can apply in daily life. By sharing knowledge and experiences, attendees will gain concrete ideas for making everyday interactions easier for people living with dementia and their carers.
Why it matters
More than 64,000 people are living with dementia in Ireland, and the numbers are rising. Most people with dementia live in the community, supported by families and local services. The awareness evening emphasises that everyone—whether a friend, neighbour, customer or club member—can contribute to a dementia-friendly environment. By raising understanding of dementia and brain health, the event seeks to reduce stigma and improve access to inclusive activities, services, and social participation.
Leitrim already hosts a network of inclusive organisations, but there is significant scope to build on this foundation. The event will highlight practical actions that communities can take, from how to communicate clearly and respectfully to how to design spaces and services that support independence and participation for people with dementia.
Speakers and sessions
The awareness evening will be facilitated by a member of the Working Group, ensuring local insight informs every discussion. A line-up of guest speakers will address the importance of dementia-inclusive communities and brain health, including:
- Dr. Catherine Dolan, Psychiatry of Old Age, Memory Assessment & Support Service, Sligo/Leitrim
- Teresa Keegan, Dementia Advisor for Sligo / Leitrim with The Alzheimer Society of Ireland
- Sharon Richardson, Project Manager for the Implementation of the Dementia Strategy, HSE
The session will include an interview with Laura Dunlop, a person living with dementia, facilitated by Sharon Richardson. Hearing directly from people with lived experience is a powerful reminder of the everyday realities and resilience within our communities.
“My family is one of many families living in Carrick-on-Shannon who have been impacted by Dementia. We as a community can do a lot to ensure our services and businesses are inclusive for those living with dementia, this alone can have a significant positive impact on the individual and their families.”
What you will learn and take away
Attendees will hear practical, actionable steps for building a more dementia-inclusive community. Topics will cover communication tips, creating welcoming environments, training for local staff and volunteers, and ways to support people with dementia to remain part of community life as independently as possible. The emphasis is on small, attainable changes—every business, club, school, shop, or service can contribute to a more inclusive Carrick-on-Shannon.
How to participate
The dementia awareness evening is free to attend and welcomes individuals, businesses, services, community groups, and clubs. If you or your organisation want to learn how to support people with dementia and their families, this evening offers a space to listen, ask questions, and connect with local experts and peers who share the goal of an inclusive town.
About the partners
The event brings together a local Working Group, Breffni Family Resource Centre, and the HSE, with contributions from the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. By combining local knowledge with expert guidance, the evening aims to equip the Carrick-on-Shannon community with practical tools to support dementia-friendly living and brain health awareness.
Quote from a community member
Maria Farry, a Community Member of the Working Group, spoke about the impact of dementia on families in Carrick-on-Shannon: “My family is one of many families living in Carrick-on-Shannon who have been impacted by Dementia. We as a community can do a lot to ensure our services and businesses are inclusive for those living with dementia, this alone can have a significant positive impact on the individual and their families.”
Key facts
– Date: October 1, 2025 | Time: 7:00 p.m. | Location: Landmark Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon | Admission: Free | Audience: Open to all members of the public
