The Cosy Cafe Kilbeggan

17/03/2026

Happy St. Patrick’s Day ☘️ to all our followers!! ☘️ 🐍 🇨🇮

💚🤍🧡

Here are 6 dementia-friendly St. Patrick’s Day themed activities & ideas:

Sensory and Crafts

1. Wear Green: ☘️ Dress in shades of green or wear shamrock pins to create a festive atmosphere

2. Green Sensory Box: 💚 Fill a box with green items like fabrics, shamrocks, and ribbons for tactile stimulation.

3. Simple Shamrock Crafts: ☘️ Cut out shamrock shapes for coloring or make loops with green paper strips to create shamrocks.

Cognitive and Reminiscence

4. Photo Albums: 📸 Look through old photos, focusing on family & past celebrations

4. Music Sing-Along: 🎵 Play familiar Irish tunes like "Danny Boy" or "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" to boost mood and memory.

5. Virtual Travel to Ireland: 🖥️ Use Google Earth or videos to explore Irish landmarks, stimulating conversations about past travels.

Keep it calm, focus on enjoyment & adapt activities to the person's energy level, which can change throughout the day.

🇨🇮 💚🤍🧡 🇨🇮

16/03/2026

🧠 Brain Awareness Week – 16th March – 22nd March 🧠

…”Just as you can look after other areas of your health, you can take steps to keep your brain healthy – and this can reduce the risk of getting dementia or slow down its progress….”

https://agefriendlyireland.ie/news/brain-awareness-week-16th-march-22nd-march/

Dementia: Understand Together Engaging Dementia The Alzheimer Society of Ireland ALONE Ireland

Moving more boosts mood, memory, and brain health. Even a short daily walk increases oxygen and blood flow to the brain. Aim for 150 minutes of activity each week — that’s a brisk 30-minute walk, five days a week. You should feel your heart rate rise, but still be able to talk.

Learn more: www.hse.ie/living-well/exercise/increase-activity/

14/03/2026

“For those living with Alzheimer’s or , houseplants & gardening related activities can be a powerful tool for engagement, sparking memories and offering moments of connection.”

For those living with Alzheimer’s or , houseplants & gardening related activities can be a powerful tool for engagement, sparking memories and offering moments of connection.

Try tailoring activities to their past gardening interests:

🌿 Plants to Admire
If they loved the beauty of flowers like roses:
-Place a potted miniature rose where they can enjoy it.
-Share a gardening catalog and chat about their favorite blossoms.
-Bring in fresh roses to discuss their color and scent, or print a flower-themed coloring page from our free downloads to enjoy together.
🌿 Plants to Nurture
For those who loved growing food:
-Give them a small herb like parsley to care for.
-Start an easy project like cherry tomatoes in a pot or raised bed.
-Explore recipes with fresh produce, reminiscing about family meals.
🌿 Hands-On Fun
Light tasks like watering plants or arranging flowers can bring a sense of purpose. For more engagement, use our free Gardening Expressions activity to spark conversation and laughter as you explore familiar phrases together.

Find these free activities and resources on our website under the "Free Downloads" section!

12/03/2026

A big thank you to everyone who joined us on Tuesday

To Clair Harte & Aoife Troy dementia advisors from The Alzheimer Society of Ireland

To Mick & Pat for music 🎶

Rahugh NS for their lovely singing 🎵

And to the very kind & thoughtful 6th class students

Happy St. Patrick’s Day ☘️ to all our members

We look forward to seeing you again in April 🫖 🍰

Irish Dementia Cafe Network
Dementia: Understand Together

06/03/2026

Chair Exercise – Age 50+ (Free to Attend!)

Looking to stay active, improve mobility, and meet others in a friendly setting? Join our Chair Exercise classes this March! Tea & chats.

📅 Mondays: 9, 16 & 23 March 2026
⏰ Time: 11:00am – 12:00pm
📍 Location: Charleville Community Centre, Church St, Tullamore, Co. Offaly R35H660

These gentle, seated exercises are perfect for improving strength, balance, and flexibility — all at your own pace. 💪😊

📞 Information: Contact Leona on 087-6028801

Come along, bring a friend, and enjoy an hour of movement and fun! 🌿

04/03/2026

REMINDER TUESDAY 10th MARCH

The Cosy Cafe Kilbeggan is joined by Clair Harte & Aoife Troy from The Alzheimer Society of Ireland. Music by Mick Slevin & Pat Maguire (schedule change) along with Rahugh NS

We look forward to seeing you all then!

🫖 ☕️ 🍰 🧁 💃🏻

Details of our forthcoming gatherings:

Next Month, March, Clair Harte & Aoife Troy from The Alzheimer Society of Ireland will join us as our guest speakers

🎶 And we are delighted to have the students from Rahugh NS also joining us. 🎶

*UPDATE:* 🎼 music will be brought to us by Mick Slevin & Pat Maguire on March 10th 🎼

We will have our usual tea 🫖 🍰 🧁 & treats & good conversation!

We look forward to seeing you on the 10th of March from 11 a.m in Kilbeggan Parish Centre

Dementia: Understand Together Irish Dementia Cafe Network Engaging Dementia

25/02/2026

Details of our forthcoming gatherings:

Next Month, March, Clair Harte & Aoife Troy from The Alzheimer Society of Ireland will join us as our guest speakers

🎶 And we are delighted to have the students from Rahugh NS also joining us. 🎶

*UPDATE:* 🎼 music will be brought to us by Mick Slevin & Pat Maguire on March 10th 🎼

We will have our usual tea 🫖 🍰 🧁 & treats & good conversation!

We look forward to seeing you on the 10th of March from 11 a.m in Kilbeggan Parish Centre

Dementia: Understand Together Irish Dementia Cafe Network Engaging Dementia

22/02/2026

We need your help…

We have a lovely flower 💐 arranging activity planned for our members and we are looking for old unwanted decorative, vintage… bone China …or similar tea cups & saucers ☕️ to facilitate this activity.

If you have anything you can donate we would be most grateful.

Parish Charity shop kilbeggan will accept donations on our behalf.

Irish Dementia Cafe Network Engaging Dementia
Dementia: Understand Together Tyrrellspass Tidy Towns Kilbeggan Tidy Towns Dementia Ireland Empowering Communities

17/02/2026

Thank you Westmeath Examiner

https://www.westmeathexaminer.ie/2026/02/15/122449/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQKNjYyODU2ODM3OQABHnso38id6QPIhddsFIW8hMFb3Px6dRRdbZk94B3YJNVVCrWUh579X5PzC1VO_aem_F-wGkk5imCX0Jdru7ReglA

The Cosy Café in Kilbeggan, set up a year ago to alleviate isolation and loneliness among those with dementia and those caring for them, is attracting large numbers. Very Rev Brendan Corrigan, PP, Kilbeggan, who set up the café, is overwhelmed by the resp...

15/02/2026

As the weather has been colder, ALONE wants to remind you that we can support older people who are finding it difficult to keep their home warm. Through our partnerships with energy providers we can help to address difficulties if you are in arrears or struggling to pay your bills.

☎ Call our National Support and Referral Line on 0818 222 024

13/02/2026

We have a Lovely Spotify List of Love Songs for you this Valentine's Day. Listen and let us know which your favourite is.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/32lUyPuLJdd3FKZe3Y3VLC

11/02/2026

Thank you to all who joined us for our February meeting. To our guest speaker Martina Logan Occupational Therapist from the Memory Resource Room, Mullingar.

🎶 To the Elderly Brothers who entertained us all afternoon 🎶

💕 We had a Valentine's theme in our treats and decor this month 💕

🗞️ We also feature in the Westmeath Examiner this week! 🗞️

We look forward to seeing you all again next month

REMINDER: We meet the second Tuesday of every month! 📅

Dementia: Understand Together Irish Dementia Cafe Network Engaging Dementia