Engaging Dementia

The New Wicklow Town Memory Cafe will officially open its doors on Friday, 27th March. Brendan Courtney, now a Wicklow Resident, will be there to help launch the cafe which will run on the last Friday of the Month from 2-4pm. #Dementiaresources #dementiacafe

Our next Sonas Programme Course starts in Athlone on Friday, April 17th. Widely regarded as the Leading Dementia Training Course in Ireland, the Sonas Programme is recognised as the foremost therapeutic activity for people living with mid to late-stage dementia, The Sonas Programme is a structured, three-day training course that combines both theory and practice and the graduates of the programme are licensed to act as Sonas practitioners. To learn more about the Sonas Course, or to book your place in the next course buff.ly/8oBxq8c

It's Brain Awareness Week! Brain health is how well your brain learns, remembers, reacts, and supports daily life. Small choices today help protect it. Get tips on how to look after your brain health in Understand Together's 'Brain Health guide'. You can view the Brain Health Guide here: buff.ly/OBjnSLX #UnderstandTogether #BrainAwarenessWeek26

We had a wonderful start to the Sonas Programme training in Dublin on Friday as we continue our Dementia Training across Ireland in 2026. Our next Sonas Programme Course starts in Athlone on Friday, April 17th. To book, click here: engagingdementia.ie/product/sonas-…

A powerful new national initiative supporting people living with dementia in Ireland launched recently: The Replay. Developed in collaboration between The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, the GAA, and RTE Archives, The Replay brings together a full catalogue of historic GAA audio commentary from All-Ireland football and hurling finals (1985–2010), all narrated by the late, iconic Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh. Designed to support emotional wellbeing and meaningful engagement, The Replay draws on reminiscence therapy, using familiar voices and treasured sporting moments to spark memory, connection and joy for people living with dementia and their families. The Replay website is simple, accessible and searchable by game, year or county, making it easy to revisit the sounds that defined generations. Explore it here: TheReplay.ie

@officialgaa Thank you for having us on Saturday. It was lovely to see so many clubs on the day.

As one of the GAA’s Official Charity Partners for 2026, we were delighted to be invited to exhibit at Croke Park during the GAA’s Healthy Club event. Our aim is to expand the Irish Dementia Cafe Network and encourage more communities to create welcoming, supportive spaces for people living with dementia and their families. If you are a member of a GAA club and would be interested in setting up a Dementia Cafe in your county, we would love to hear from you. Get in touch today by emailing: cafenetwork@engagingdementia.ie #GAABelong

Take advantage of our Early Bird offer which we have extended to this Friday, March 6th, and enjoy up to 20% off your conference ticket.. This year’s conference takes place on May 13th and 14th in Athlone, with the inspiring theme: “Let’s Keep Connecting.” The Call for Submissions is also open, with the closing date also extended to Friday, March 6th. To book your ticket or to submit an abstract, click here: buff.ly/xkDWLNb Book early, save, and be part of an event dedicated to connection, collaboration, and innovation in dementia care.

The deadline for submissions to this year's International Dementia Conference has been extended to Friday, March 6th at 6pm! This year's theme is ‘Let's Keep Connecting’, and the event will be held on May 13th and 14th in Athlone. You can submit Abstracts, Interactive Sessions, Demonstrations, and Posters here: engagingdementia.ie/product/intern… Take advantage of our Early Bird Offer and receive up to 20% off the price of your conference ticket.

Be part of Creative Brain Week 2026 from 2–6 March, online and in person at the Naughton Institute and Samuel Beckett Theatre in Trinity College Dublin, the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) and the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA). Register for Creative Brain Week 2026 and explore how people think and make decisions, what this means for health, care, community and the future of creative expression—and the transformative potential of Thinking. Better. Together. In 2026, Creative Brain Week expands across Dublin in collaboration with renowned cultural spaces as they celebrate 10 years of the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) and 5 years of Creative Brain Week—elevating discussion, discovery, and developments where brain science and creativity converge. All events are free and to register events, click here: buff.ly/uPqIPfq.

🎉Engaging Dementia are both delighted and honoured to have been chosen as one of the four official GAA Charity Partners for 2026, alongside the Simon Community, Cancer Fund for Children, and the autism charity, As I Am. Kim Tully, Engaging Dementia CEO, states: “In the same way the GAA creates a space where everyone has a sense of belonging, Engaging Dementia, through its Irish Dementia Cafe Network, is committed to ensuring that every community is a place where people living with dementia, and their families, feel recognised, supported, and understood. We are truly excited about the opportunity to collaborate with the Community and Health Department at Croke Park and through this partnership, we look forward to expanding the Irish Dementia Cafe Network and working towards bringing Dementia Cafes to communities right across Ireland". 🎉

Hot off the Press! We are excited to announce the newly redesigned “How to Set Up a Dementia Cafe Manual”! This comprehensive guide has been carefully updated to provide clear, practical, and step-by-step instructions for creating welcoming and supportive spaces for people living with dementia, their families, and caregivers. The information in this booklet draws on available evidence, input from cafe co-ordinators and the Irish Dementia Cafe Network’s Expert Advisory Panel. You can view and download the new manual here: buff.ly/VjDN9qp

We are getting close to the CLOSING DATE for submissions for this year’s International Dementia Conference which takes place on May 13th & 14th this year. The theme this year is ‘Lets’ Keep Connecting'. Submissions for Abstracts, Interactive Sessions, Demonstrations and Posters can be made here: buff.ly/gBQJIjy The closing date is this Friday, February 27th.

Early Bird Tickets – Save up to 20% for the 18th International Dementia Conference! Take advantage of our Early Bird offer and enjoy up to 20% off your conference ticket when you book by Friday, February 27th. This year’s conference takes place on May 13th and 14th in Athlone, with the inspiring theme: “Let’s Keep Connecting.” The Call for Submissions is also open, with a closing date of Friday, February 27th. To book your ticket or to submit an abstract, click here: engagingdementia.ie/product/intern… Book early, save, and be part of an event dedicated to connection, collaboration, and innovation in dementia care.

Discover the reflections of our Finnish guests who joined us last December to see the Sonas Programme in action. Click on the link to their blog below. "On the way, we visited local care units and got to know their everyday life. We saw how customers were treated with warmth and how even small things, such as a touch or a shared laugh, made a person with a memory disorder happy". Their visit has laid the groundwork for a successful roll-out of the programme as they bring it back to Finland. rinnekodit.fi/ajankohtaista/…

An uplifting and informative public research day dedicated to brain health, dementia and ways to support wellbeing at every stage of life takes place in the Civic Theatre on Wednesday February 25th. This event is hosted by The Alzheimer Society of Ireland and Dementia Research Network Ireland and is made possible with support from the Health Research Board. Featuring leading researchers and clinicians from across Ireland, the event will share the latest evidence-based insights in a clear, accessible way and equip attendees with practical actions they can use in everyday life. Local dementia and community services will also be on hand to provide information, advice and resources, making this a valuable opportunity to connect with supports in your area. Designed for the public, including people living with dementia and family carers, the event also welcomes researchers and healthcare professionals. Whether you’re looking to understand brain health, stay informed about new research, or connect with support in your community – there is something for everyone. Above all, this engaging event reinforces a hopeful message: it is never too early or too late to look after our brain health! Brain Health & Dementia is a dementia-inclusive event, and quiet areas will be available. Booking is essential. To register go to: buff.ly/O7jq7MS #dementiaresearch #

We have a Lovely Spotify List of Love Songs for you this Valentine's Day. Listen and let us know which your favourite is. buff.ly/VsxP9kO #dementiaireland #alzheimersireland #dementiasupport

Do you have Lewy Body disease or closely support someone living with the condition? The Emerald Lewy Team in Trinity College Dublin are currently seeking volunteers to complete and provide feedback on a peer support programme called The Lewy Lounge. For further information contact Dr. Emma O Shea: Email emma.oshea@ucc.ie or call 0857889499.

📢 Call for Submissions Now Open The 18th International Dementia Conference — Ireland’s foremost conference on dementia — is now inviting submissions. 🗓 May 13th & 14th 📍 Athlone 🎯 Theme: Let’s Keep Connecting We welcome submissions for: • Abstracts • Interactive Sessions • Posters Submit here: buff.ly/2qR3S3n ⏳ Closing date: Friday, February 27th. Join us in shaping this year’s important conversations. #LetsTalkDementia #DementiaIreland #AlzheimersIreland