The RISE Community Fund has provided a cash grant to support HSE’s ‘Age Strong, Live Long Islands’ event, empowering communities across Mayo and Galway’s islands to benefit from a dedicated community wellbeing initiative taking place on 14th May 2026 across Clare Island, Inishturk, Inis Meáin, and Inishbofin.
Designed for people aged over 55, carers, and community members seeking practical support, the event will also welcome professionals and service providers working in older persons, disability, community health, and social support. The initiative aims to strengthen local connections, share knowledge, and promote positive ageing across island communities.
Marie Alexander, HSE Integrated Care Programme for Older Persons (ICPOP) Operational Lead, Mayo, highlighted the importance of the initiative: “This programme is about empowering our older population with the knowledge, confidence and connections they need to remain independent and engaged within their communities.
“ICPOP are particularly grateful to the RISE Community Fund and their partners including National Broadband Ireland (NBI) for their generous sponsorship, which has helped make this important event possible. Their support ensures that vital information and services can reach our island communities and strengthen the wellbeing of people across Mayo and Galway.”
Established by National Broadband Ireland founder, David McCourt, the RISE Community Fund has awarded more than 200 cash grants across Ireland, with a particular focus on supporting rural community groups to scale the positive impact of their work with innovative uses of technology. RISE is supported by National Broadband Ireland and partners involved in the delivery of the Government’s National Broadband Plan, including KPMG, DreamDev Technologies, TLI Group, Entegro, Obelisk and Circet.
David McCourt, founder of RISE and NBI, commented: “Together with our corporate donors, RISE is delighted to be supporting HSE’s critical programme of work to deliver vital healthcare services across many of Ireland’s offshore islands and most rural locations. Providing advanced healthcare in these locations can be extremely difficult, and it puts strain on both the residents and healthcare providers, so we’re thrilled to throw our support behind the ‘Age Strong, Live Long Island’s’ initiative that is pioneering practical, community-focussed solutions, empowered by technology, that make a real difference.”
Responsible for rolling out the Government’s National Broadband Plan, NBI is delivering high-speed fibre broadband to 566,000 premises across the country, which includes the most remote and rural parts of Ireland where commercial operators have no plans to deliver high-speed service.
McCourt continued: “NBI’s fibre network is ensuring rural communities, including offshore islands, can be prepared for the future by supporting remote healthcare access and the wide range of other benefits that access to high-speed, reliable, broadband offers. As Ireland transitions away from legacy copper networks, NBI’s fibre network will prepare rural Ireland to embrace digital solutions, and through our work at the RISE Community Fund, we’re delighted to be helping some of these important initiatives succeed.”
NBI is encouraging people to check their eligibility and register for updates at nbi.ie to receive regular notifications related to their own premises.
