Great turnout for Alzheimer’s walk in Oak Park

MORE than 116 walkers and 20 dogs gathered at Oak Park on Sunday 21 September to support those living with dementia as part of Carlow’s Memory Walk 2025. The community event saw families, friends and local groups come together in solidarity with the estimated 64,000 people living with dementia across Ireland.

Tara Rice, community engagement officer for the south-east, described the walk as “all part of creating a dementia-inclusive Carlow town and county”.

Ms Rice expressed “huge thanks” to the event’s supporters, including local champion Faith Amond, councillors Andrea Dalton, Ben Ward, Daniel Pender and Fergal Browne, along with mayor of Carlow Paul Doogue and minister Jennifer Murnane O’Connor.

Bethany House staff, volunteers and local sponsors also played crucial roles in making the event possible. Sponsors included UPMC, Crotty’s Bakery, Centra Carlow, PJ Hickson and Corcoran Precast.

The Carlow walk formed part of the nationwide Alzheimer’s Memory Walk, now in its sixth year and supported by Aviva. Last year, nearly 3,500 walkers across Ireland raised over €150,000 to fund vital services, including daycare, support groups, family carer training and the ASI National Helpline.

The annual event serves as both a fundraiser and celebration of community connection, offering participants a chance to share memories while creating new ones in support of those affected by dementia.