The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing - TILDA

21/07/2025

Our Principal Investigator, Prof. , was quoted in The Irish Times after speaking at the MacGill Summer School last week. In her remarks, she highlighted the profound impact that early life circumstances can have on the ageing process, stating, “Children experiencing depression, homelessness, & uncertainty age faster.”

https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2025/07/17/better-off-children-sailing-away-from-the-have-nots-warns-ombudsman/

TILDA’s ongoing research, as the WHO Collaborating Centre for Longitudinal Studies on Ageing and the Life Course, is instrumental in advancing global health policy on ageing and the life course for people of all ages. Through our extensive data, we provide evidence that helps shape policies aimed at improving health outcomes across the lifespan.

Government unable to inform Ombudsman how much it spends on children, says Dr Niall Muldoon

17/06/2025

Can we really reduce our biological age?

Professor Rose Anne Kenny, Principal Investigator of TILDA, joined Newstalk’s The Hard Shoulder to explore the science of biohacking and biological ageing.

She explains what influences our biological age—and whether we can really slow it down.

🎧 Listen back: https://bit.ly/3G6ZmPc





Trinity College Dublin

13/06/2025

It is .

Family carers are central to care in Ireland, often giving their time and energy with little recognition.

Research from TILDA examines how middle-aged and older carers maintain wellbeing and resilience over time. These insights are informing national policy and international studies.

Read the full story: https://bit.ly/4mZupxd

29/05/2025

We are proud to see TILDA referenced in the Department of Health’s new publication: Path to Universal Healthcare – Salintecare and Programme for Government 2025+.

This strategic document recognises the role of population-based evidence, including TILDA data, in shaping Ireland’s future health and social care policies.

We remain committed to supporting evidence-informed decision-making to ensure people in Ireland can age with dignity, health and confidence.

📖 Read more: https://bit.ly/43GdpmQ

26/05/2025

We are excited to share that Dr Ann Monaghan, Project Manager for TILDA, received the Dean’s Award for Exemplary Performance last Thursday!

Ann’s exceptional leadership and dedication have been crucial in developing innovative data collection methods at TILDA and a continuous education programme that has been replicated by other longitudinal studies around the world.

Her positive influence extends beyond her professional achievements, with Ann also fostering a great in-house team spirit through inclusive activities and events.

This richly-deserved recognition highlights her outstanding contributions to TILDA, the field of medical gerontology and the wider faculty community.

Congratulations Ann on this significant achievement! 🙌



Trinity College Dublin

13/05/2025

Congratulations Oscar!
Huge congratulations to Oscar Despard and the Christ’s College Cambridge team on their thrilling University Challenge victory!

Oscar, who captained the team, led a dramatic comeback — trailing behind for most of the quiz, they took the lead in the final minutes to win 175–170 over Warwick.

We’ve followed Oscar’s journey since 2020, when he used TILDA data to win a BT Young Scientist award for his project exploring the link between LDL cholesterol and atrial fibrillation in older adults.

From early research success to quiz show champion — we’re so proud to have been part of his story.

Read more about Oscar’s award-winning TILDA project here:
https://tilda.tcd.ie/news-events/2020/2001-young-scientist-seminar/

28/04/2025

We are proud to celebrate the graduation of Dr Deirdre O’Connor, Dr Louise Newman, and Dr Paul Claffey, who were awarded their PhDs in Medical Gerontology at Trinity College Dublin during the spring commencements.

Dr O’Connor’s thesis, “Folate and Vitamin B12 in The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing Cohort: Associations with Cognitive Function,” supervised by Professor Rose Anne Kenny and Dr Christine McGarrigle, examined the relationship between vitamin B12, folate, and cognitive function in older adults.

Dr Louise Newman’s research, “Cerebral haemodynamics in older adults: Multi-modal studies utilising near infrared spectroscopy and non-invasive continuous blood pressure monitoring in a large longitudinal cohort,” focused on cerebral blood flow and contributed significantly to TILDA’s biomedical research.

Dr Paul Claffey’s thesis, “Orthostatic Hypotension and Cerebral Perfusion in Falls and Related Syncopal Disorders,” explored the mechanisms of orthostatic hypotension and its role in falls among older adults, further advancing our understanding of ageing.

We are also proud to congratulate other scholars from the broader Medical Gerontology community who received PhDs and MDs, continuing to elevate the impact of research on ageing at Trinity College Dublin.

A big thank you to their mentors for their unwavering support. We are incredibly proud of these achievements! more https://bit.ly/3YT6yoi

09/04/2025

🧠 How can tiny changes in the brain predict big changes in memory?

New research from TILDA has identified specific types of white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) that are strongly linked to cognitive decline in ageing.

These findings could help identify those at higher risk for dementia and guide early interventions.

💬 Read the study: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2025.1520069

🧑‍🔬 Study led by researchers from Trinity College Dublin, St James’s Hospital, and the Mercer’s Institute for Successful Ageing.

18/03/2025

TILDA at the 50 Plus Expo 2025 – Engaging, Informing, and Inspiring!

TILDA was delighted to participate in this year’s 50 Plus Expo at the RDS in Dublin, where we connected with attendees, offered grip strength tests, and shared insights from our latest research on ageing and health.

One of the event’s highlights was Professor Cathal McCrory’s talk, "How Does the Body Know How Old It Is?", which explored how our bodies track time and whether we can influence the ageing process.

A huge thank you to our dedicated team and volunteers for making this event such a success!

Read more about our experience here: https://bit.ly/4kxb9pB

11/03/2025

🎭Theatre, Research & A New Student Award on Ageism

Last Thursday, the European premiere of Just Another Day took place at College Dublin, with TILDA PI, Prof. Anne Kenny. This powerful play, written by the wonderful Dan Lauria (The Wonder Years) and starring Patty McCormack (The Bad Seed), explores memory, ageing, and connection.

Beyond the stage, the production has left a lasting impact on ageing research at TILDA. Thanks to the generosity of the MASIE Learning Foundation and the play’s producers, a donation will fund a new student award supporting research and creative work on ageism and attitudes towards ageing.

We look forward to announcing more details soon!

📖 Read more: https://bit.ly/3FiFtUK

25/02/2025

🔬 New research highlights the biological link between and .

A recent study has identified specific proteins that may explain why is linked to poorer health outcomes.

Prof. Rose Anne Kenny, Principal Investigator of TILDA, highlights how this supports what TILDA research has long found:

✅ Social connections play a key role in maintaining health as we age.
✅ Understanding the biological impact of loneliness can inform public health strategies.
✅ Community engagement and social support are valuable for well-being.

As loneliness becomes a growing public health concern, what role can policymakers, workplaces, and communities play in fostering stronger social ties?

📖 Read more: https://bit.ly/3Qwh8x9

A new study links proteins found in the blood of people experiencing loneliness to serious health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke, writes Helen O’Callaghan

24/02/2025

💊 How much are older adults in Ireland paying for prescription medicines?

New research using TILDA data reveals that individuals without healthcare entitlements faced out-of-pocket costs nearly 5x higher than those with subsidies. High costs forced some to skip essential medications, affecting their health.

This study sheds light on challenges in prescription affordability—are we doing enough to prevent this financial strain?

📖 Read the full findings: https://bit.ly/3Qyx2ao