Pictured at the 2026 National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards in Limerick, where TFI Local Link Laois Offaly was presented with an award recognising its provision of accessible public transport, were, L-R, Eoghan Ryan, Chief Executive, Offaly County Council; Cllr Paddy Buggy; Michelle Ging, Local Link Laois Offaly; Frances Byrne, Local Link; Frances Kawala, Age Friendly Alliance Offaly; Declan Kirrane, chairman local link; Pat Delaney, DOS, Laois; Danielle Keane programme manager Laois; Declan Harvey, Cathaoirleach, Offaly County Council; Eileen Hughes, Regional Manager Midlands; Barbara Raftery, Vice Chair, Age Friendly Laois. Photo: Keith Wiseman.

Local Link bus service in Laois/Offaly wins age-friendly transport award

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The TFI Local Link bus service for Laois and Offaly has picked up an Age Friendly Transport Award for its work connecting rural communities with healthcare, shops, and local services.

The transport provider received this recognition at the 2026 National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards held which were in Limerick last night (Thursday).

Award organisers highlighted how TFI Local Link Laois Offaly's provision of accessible public transport across rural communities "supports greater independence and helps reduce isolation for older people who may otherwise have limited transport options".

The winners were announced at the tenth annual ceremony in Limerick last night, organised by Age Friendly Ireland, the national body supporting Ireland’s 31 local authorities to deliver the Government’s vision of an Age Friendly Ireland.

Hosted by Limerick city and county council at the Limerick Strand Hotel, and MC'd by Marty Whelan of RTÉ's Lyric FM, the National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards are designed to celebrate practical initiatives improving everyday life for older people.

The organisers noted that the awards this year were an "Ireland's EU Associated Presidency" event. These are events which are organised independently of Ireland’s presidency of the council of the European Union but which "align with the themes and priorities of Ireland's EU Presidency".

Speaking about TFI Local Link Laois Offaly's award success, Pat Dowling, chair of the Age Friendly Awards Selection Panel, said: "TFI Local Link Laois Offaly demonstrated the significant difference reliable and accessible public transport can make to everyday life.

"By connecting rural communities with healthcare, services and social opportunities, the initiative supports independence while helping tackle one of the major contributors to isolation for older people."

Catherine McGuigan, chief officer of Age Friendly Ireland, added: "These awards demonstrate what Age Friendly action looks like in practice.

"The winning projects have listened to older people, identified what can improve everyday life and turned that insight into practical action.

"By recognising these initiatives nationally, we want to celebrate their impact while encouraging other communities and organisations to learn from them, adapt them and build on what works," Ms McGuigan said.

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