Concessions encourage older people to get out of the home and participate, says Mr Gerard Scully of Age Action Ireland. "Going to the theatre or cinema is a luxury for most older people, it's not something they do every week, so we would encourage venues to offer discounts to the elderly," he says.
One of the main problems is finding out what's available, according to Mr Scully. The Irish Times conducted a price survey of a number of theatres and concert halls. The Abbey Theatre, Dublin, offers tickets at £5 on Monday to Thursday evenings and Saturday matinees. This is a substantial saving, as tickets usually cost between £10 and £18.50. The Gate gives senior citizens free seats on a Monday, if they're available. A spokeswoman says you can telephone in advance to check availability. There are no reductions for the elderly at the Gaiety.
A number of venues, including Cork Opera House, offer older people £2 off ticket prices while the National Concert Hall, Dublin, and the University Concert Hall, Limerick, may offer varying concessions, depending on the production. In Tralee, Co Kerry, Siamsa Tire theatre usually offers concessions on its own performances.
A survey of cinema prices carried out by the Consumers' Association of Ireland found two Cork cinemas, Capitol Cineplex and Kino, offer £1 off matinee and evening prices. Cinema prices were generally dearer in Dublin. Of the five Dublin cinemas surveyed - Classic, IMC, Savoy, Screen and UGC - only the UGC offers an evening discount (Monday to Friday only). The full cinema price survey is published in this month's Consumer Choice magazine.
Most of the exhibitions at the National Gallery, Dublin, are free, but if there is a charge for a guest exhibition, it's usually free or offered at a concession rate to the elderly. This month, the Bealtaine Festival of the Arts, co-ordinated by Age and Opportunity Ireland, celebrates creativity in old age with lots of events. Anyone with memories of the Abbey - stories, gossip or reminiscences - is invited to a session, Remembering the Abbey, on Monday, May 21st from 12 noon to 2 p.m. Other Bealtaine events at the Abbey are booked out.
The National Concert Hall has a series of free events to celebrate Bealtaine. This Friday, May 18th, from 1.05 p.m. to 2 p.m. features mezzo-soprano Tanya Sewell and pianist Alison Young. Other events include a lunchtime and evening concert and guided tours of the Iveagh Gardens and National Concert Hall. Book in advance and admission is free for older people only.
The full Bealtaine programme is available from Age and Opportunity (tel: 01 837 0570).