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Positive Ageing Month

Every year, Positive Ageing Month is celebrated in October, and it is a month-long campaign of events, activities and programmes that promote positive ageing as well as celebrating the contribution older people make to their communities.

Our Mid-Ulster older people’s population size is increasing every year and with that comes the need for increased support around issues of health, well-being, financial advice, cost of living issues and even drop-in hearing clinics which are all covered and on offer in this great timetable of free events.

For more information on any of the events contact our Age Friendly Co-ordinator:
Raisa Donnelly (Age Friendly Co-ordinator)
T: 03000 132 132
E: raisa.donnelly@midulstercouncil.org


Positive Ageing Month Events

With a mix of events to enable older people to connect both virtually through online events and physically there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
 

Date Postive Ageing Month Event
Thursday 1 October International Older Persons Day – Information Stand
ASDA, Cookstown.
 
3 October 2pm–4pm

Autumn Wreath Making Workshop
Hill of The O'Neill & Ranfurly House, Dungannon

Suitable for ages 16+
Join us on Saturday 3rd October and learn how to create a beautiful doorwreath in the warm tones and berries of autumn.  Participants will be guided throughout the two-hour workshop  by local florist Therese Quinn to create their own individual design.  Enjoy a fun afternoon whilst getting creative!  * Participants must bring their own flower/foliage cutting scissors. All materials provided.

For more information click on: https://www.hilloftheoneill.com/whats-on/events/

Monday 5th October 10.30pm –12.30pm Connect North Library Drop-In Sessions
Maghera Library

Connect North Library Drop-In Sessions are free, informal community events held in local libraries across the Northern Health and Social Care Trust area in partnership with Libraries NI.

For more information contact:
Ann Conlan Connect North Link Worker Mid Ulster
07814 196 935
ConnectNorthMU@ageni.org
Wednesday 7th October 11am –12 noon Music Therapy with Cathy Quinn at the Burnavon, Cookstown 
Through singing, listening, movement, and shared musical experiences, participants will have the opportunity to connect, express themselves, and support emotional well-being in a warm and welcoming environment.
No musical experience is needed, just a willingness to enjoy music and explore its positive impact on health, mood, and social connection.

For more information call: 028 8676 9949 or click on:  https://www.burnavon.com/
 
Thursday 8th October 11am –1.30pm Golden Gatherings – Polepatrick, Magherafelt
Join us for a special event in Polepatrick, bringing older and younger generations together to enjoy the autumn season.
The day will include an intergenerational autumn craft activity with local primary school children, followed by soup and sandwiches and a short musical performance from local secondary school pupils. We’ll then head out on a guided nature walk around Polepatrick, before finishing with tea, coffee, traybakes and a storytelling session.

A relaxed day of creativity, connection, nature and intergenerational fun – with something for everyone to enjoy!

For more information contact Claire or Patricia at the Mid Ulster Volunteer centre on  028 7930 1862
7th October 
12:30 - 2:30pm
Tea and Treats Maghera- Maghera lurach centre​.
Come along and for an afternoon of tea and treats. Enjoy information, advice, company and a warm welcome.

For more information contact Raisa Donnelly on 03000 132 132 or email: Age.Friendly@midulstercouncil.org

 
Thursday 8th October 7pm Bad Bridget: Irish women behaving badly in North America – talk by Leanne McCormick, Burnavon Arts & Cultural Centre, Cookstown 
From notorious murderers to thieves and vagrants, this talk uncovers the stories of Irish women who clashed with the law in North America in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Based on the Bad Bridget project, it explores their complex lives and offers a fascinating glimpse into the realities of migration, and how the promise of the American dream could take unexpected turns. 
Suitable for all ages

For more information call: 028 8676 9949 or click on: https://www.burnavon.com/
9 October 7.30pm –10.00pm Murder Mystery Night: Heinous Happenings upon the Hill
Hill of The O'Neill & Ranfurly House, Dungannon


A heinous murder has taken place on Hill of The O’Neill inside the Court of The Earl of Tyrone in this the year of our Lord 1594.  A death has been discovered but this departed soul has not been chosen by God, but by the earthly hand of an assassin within the walls of the castle. The Earl of Tyrone has issued strict instruction that this death must be solved and all questions answered, and the guilty party flushed out to answer for their crime.
Over dinner you must solve this Murder Mystery and prove who is truly guilty of this heinous crime, for which reward from Earl of Tyrone awaits you.

For more information call: 028 8772 8600 or go to: https://www.hilloftheoneill.com/whats-on/events/
 
Tuesday 13th October 2pm – 4pm Connect North Library Drop-In Sessions
Draperstown Library 

Connect North Library Drop-In Sessions are free, informal community events held in local libraries across the Northern Health and Social Care Trust area in partnership with Libraries NI.

For more information contact:
Ann Conlan Connect North Link Worker Mid Ulster
07814 196 935
ConnectNorthMU@ageni.org

 
Wednesday 14th October 11am–1pm Little Perch Pumpkins with Rachael Armstrong
Burnavon Arts & Cultural Centre, Cookstown
Suitable for ages 50+
Make the cutest little pumpkins to use as a pin cushion or to decorate your home for Autumn. Participants will use a sewing machine as well as try some hand sewing. Instructions on how to use a sewing machine will be provided if required. This is a simple, but very satisfying project. Participants will have time to make more than one!  Sewing machines provided.

For more information go to:  : https://www.burnavon.com/whats-on/little-perch-pumpkins/129695116 or call 028 8676 9949. 
15 October 2026 7.30pm–8.30pm An exploration of The Plantation of Ulster with Andrew Kane
Hill of The O'Neill & Ranfurly House, Dungannon

Join local historian and author Andrew Kane for a fascinating exploration of the Ulster Plantation, one of the most significant events in Irish history. Drawing on his extensive knowledge of Ulster's landscape and heritage, Andrew will examine how the Plantation impacted the region's people, settlements, and townlands, leaving a legacy that continues to shape Ulster today. 
Whether you have a keen interest in local history, genealogy, or the story behind the places where we live, this engaging talk offers fresh insights into the origins and lasting impact of the Plantation.

For more information call: 028 8772 8600 
or got to: https://www.hilloftheoneill.com/whats-on/

 
 17 October 2026 10am–4pm Embers to Icons – Charcoal Workshop
Hill of The O'Neill & Ranfurly House, Dungannon

Suitable for ages 16+
Dive into the raw, expressive power of charcoal in our immersive workshop on Saturday 17th October 2026. Participants will move beyond basic sketching to explore the medium’s dramatic range, learning to balance deep shadows with luminous highlights. By integrating mixed-media elements, participants will break traditional boundaries and develop a bold, contemporary approach to their art.  All materials supplied. 

For more information call: 02887728600
or got to: https://www.hilloftheoneill.com/whats-on/

 
19th October 12:30-2:30pm Tea and Treats Magherafelt -
Bridewell, Magherafelt 

Come along and for an afternoon of tea and treats. Enjoy information, advice, company and a warm welcome.

For more information contact Raisa Donnelly on 03000 132 132 or email: Age.Friendly@midulstercouncil.org
 
Tuesday 20th October 7pm Ulster Scots Talk
The Thistle, the Red Hand, and the Sash – talk by Deirdre Speer-Whyte & John Hagan
Burnavon Arts & Cultural Centre, Cookstown 
A talk by Deirdre Speer-Whyte & John Hagan


Discover local personalities in Ulster-Scots and Orange Culture. This talk will look at the ups and downs of Ulster-Scots in the Orange Order and will follow the personalities who stood out in different periods of time up until the beginning of the 20th century.
Suitable for all ages.

For more information go to:  : https://www.burnavon.com/whats-on
or call 028 8676 9949. 

 
Tuesday 20th October 6pm–7pm James Murphy Author Talk
Cookstown Library


Booking advisable 
Call:028 8676 3702
 
21st October 12:30-2:30pm Tea and Treats Dungannon
Dungannon Leisure Centre
 
 Come along and for an afternoon of tea and treats. Enjoy information, advice, company and a warm welcome. Opportunity to meet the Chair of the Council, Councillor Deirdre Varsani.

For more information contact Raisa Donnelly on 03000 132 132 or email: Age.Friendly@midulstercouncil.org
 
Wednesday 21st October
11am–1pm
Tea and Treats Dungannon
Dungannon Leisure Centre 

 Come along and for an afternoon of tea and treats. Enjoy information, advice, company and a warm welcome. Opportunity to meet the Chair of the Council, Councillor Deirdre Varsani.

For more information contact Raisa Donnelly on 03000 132 132 or email: Age.Friendly@midulstercouncil.org
 
Wednesday 21st October
11am–1pm
Acrylic Painting with Feilin Campbell
Burnavon Arts & Cultural Centre, Cookstown 


Suitable for ages 50+
Féilín will guide participants through acrylic techniques with the use of brushes and palette knives to create beautifully textured floral paintings in an impressionistic style. 
This workshop is suitable for beginners and for those who would like to develop their painting skills in a relaxing and creative environment. All materials provided.

For more information go to:  : https://www.burnavon.com/whats-on
or call 028 8676 9949. 

 
Thursday 22nd October 2pm–3pm Residential Care Costs Talk  by Martin McDaid

Online via Zoom
For more information:
Contact Raisa Donnelly on 03000 132 132 or email: Age.Friendly@midulstercouncil.org

 
Thursday 22nd October 10.30pm–12.30pm Connect North Library Drop-In Sessions
Cookstown Library 

Connect North Library Drop-In Sessions are free, informal community events held in local libraries across the Northern Health and Social Care Trust area in partnership with Libraries NI.

For more information contact:
Ann Conlan Connect North Link Worker Mid Ulster
07814 196 935 or email: 
ConnectNorthMU@ageni.org

 
Friday 
 23rd October 
12:30-2:30pm
Tea and Treats -Bellaghy
  Seamus Heaney Homeplace

Come along and for an afternoon of tea and treats. Enjoy information, advice, company and a warm welcome. Opportunity to meet the Chair of Council, Councillor Deirdre Varsani.

For more information contact Raisa Donnelly on 03000 132 132 or email: Age.Friendly@midulstercouncil.org
 
Saturday 24th October 10am–3pm Pause, Create, Restore with Noreen Donnelly of Ciúnas Space
Burnavon Arts & Cultural Centre, Cookstown 


Pause, Create, Restore is a gentle and welcoming workshop where participants are invited to slow down, reconnect and explore creativity without pressure. Designed to support people living with stress, persistent pain, fatigue and the natural transitions of life.
Participants will explore therapeutic art practices, mindfulness, and person-centred support, allowing them to discover nurturing ways to navigate emotional and physical well-being. No artistic experience is needed – just a willingness to pause, create, and restore.

For more information go to: 
 https://www.burnavon.com/whats-on
or call 028 8676 9949. 

 
24th, 30th & 31st October Halloween Celebrations in Mid Ulster
Join Mid Ulster District Councils Halloween Celebrations:


Friday 30 October 2026 - Dungannon Halloween 
Saturday 24 October 2026 - Cookstown Halloween MUSA
Saturday 31 October 2026 - Maghera Halloween at Maghera LC
Saturday 31 October 2026 - Halloween in Coalisland

For more information click on: https://www.midulstercouncil.org/
 
Tuesday 27th October 12:30-2:30pm Tea and Treats Cookstown
Burnavon, Cookstown

 Come along and for an afternoon of tea and treats. Enjoy information, advice, company and a warm welcome. Opportunity to meet the Chair of Council, Councillor Deirdre Varsani.

For more information contact Raisa Donnelly on 03000 132 132 or email: Age.Friendly@midulstercouncil.org
 
Tuesday 27th October
11am–12pm
Bank of Ireland – Financial Wellbeing online session
Bank of Ireland providing online financial wellbeing sessions delivered by experienced community engagement coaches.
Online via Microsoft Teams

For More information contact Raisa Donnelly on 03000 132 132 or email: Age.Friendly@midulstercouncil.org
Wednesday 28 October from 11am-  to 12.30pm Floral Jam Jars with Memory Makers
Burnavon Arts & Cultural Centre, Cookstown 

Suitable for ages 50+

Choose from a beautiful selection of hand‑pressed flowers and autumnal foliage to decorate your own glass jar. The finished piece becomes a charming keepsake to take home - perfect as a tea light holder, a desk tidy, or a pretty storage jar.

For more information go to:  : https://www.burnavon.com/whats-on
or call 028 8676 9949. ​

 
Wednesday 28 October 12.30pm - 2.30pm Tea and Treats Coalisland
Coalisland Cornmill 
 Come along and for an afternoon of tea and treats. Enjoy information, advice, company and a warm welcome. Opportunity to meet the Chair of Council, Councillor Deirdre Varsani.

For more information contact Raisa Donnelly on 03000 132 132 or email: Age.Friendly@midulstercouncil.org
 
Friday 30 October 10.30pm - 12.30pm  Connect North Library Drop-In Sessions
Magherafelt  Library 

Connect North Library Drop-In Sessions are free, informal community events held in local libraries across the Northern Health and Social Care Trust area in partnership with Libraries NI.

For more information contact:
Ann Conlan Connect North Link Worker Mid Ulster
07814 196 935 or email: 
ConnectNorthMU@ageni.org

 
Friday 30 October RNID Near You – Hearing Aid User Support Service
Magherafelt Library

The RNID Near You service holds a free hearing aid support drop-in event on the last Friday of each month.

For more information: Iain Irvine – RNID Near You Co Ordinator – NHSCT
Phone: 07940 160672
Email: iain.irvine@rnid.org.uk

 


Get More Active this Positive Ageing Month

Leisure opportunities across Dungannon, Cookstown, Greenvale and Maghera. These classes are designed to support activity and wellbeing, with a range of low-impact, strength, balance, aqua, dance and fitness options.

Dungannon Leisure Centre 
Activity Date Time Booking
Water Aerobics Monday 12.15–1pm To book: 028 8772 0370
Water Aerobics Wednesday 12.15–1pm To book: 028 8772 0370
Water Aerobics Wednesday 7.15pm–8.00pm To book: 028 8772 0370
Strength & Balance Wednesday 10.30–11.15 To book: 028 8772 0370
Dance Class with Tammy Wednesday 11.15–12.00 To book: 028 8772 0370
Be Active Circuits Friday 14.00–14.45 To book: 028 8772 0370
Cookstown Leisure Centre
Activity Date Time Booking
Young @ Hearts Classes (50+)
Spin
Monday 10.30 am 028 8676 3853
Young @ Hearts Classes (50+)
Chair Based Exercise
Tuesday 10 am 028 8676 3853
Young @ Hearts Classes (50+)
Chair based Aerobatics & Strength

Friday

11 am

028 8676 3853

Aqua Fit

Wednesday

6.15pm

028 8676 3853

Low intensity spin

Tuesday

6.15pm

028 8676 3853


Greenvale Leisure Centre

Activity

Date

Time

Booking

Ageing Well (Over 50’s)
Low Impact

Monday

11.30 am

To book:  028 7963 2796

Bootcamp (Low Impact)

Tuesday

11.30 am

To book:  028 7963 2796

Aqua Aerobics

Tuesday

7.00 pm

To book:  028 7963 2796

HIIT (Low Impact)

Wednesday

11.30 am

To book:  028 7963 2796

Yoga

Wednesday

7.45 pm

To book:  028 7963 2796

Yoga

Thursday

7.45 pm

To book:  028 7963 2796


Maghera Leisure Centre

Activity

Date

Time

Booking

Low Intensity Spin

Monday

6.00 pm

028 7954 7400

Low Intensity Spin

Wednesday

10.00 am

028 7954 7400

Low Intensity Spin

Friday

6.00 pm

028 7954 7400

LIT
(Low Intensity Interval Training)

Tuesday

11.30 am

028 7954 7400

Strength & Balance

Tuesday

2.00 pm

028 7954 7400

Strength & Balance

Thursday

11.45 am

028 7954 7400

Bands & Bells

Wednesday

10.00 am

028 7954 7400