Major international dementia conference returning to Athlone next week
Following the success of last year's event, an annual international dementia conference will return to the Athlone Springs Hotel next week.
Now in its 18th year, the conference - organised by charity Engaging Dementia - will taken place next Wednesday and Thursday, May 13 and 14.
The conference is described by the organisers as Ireland's leading event dedicated to dementia awareness, research, and care.
This year’s theme, 'Let's Keep Connecting', highlights the importance of relationships, community, and collaboration in supporting those living with dementia.
CEO of Engaging Dementia, Kim Tully, said: "We received great feedback last year about the location, with Athlone being in the centre of the country, its ease of access, and how suitable the hotel was for our speakers, exhibitors, and attendees.
"We were also delighted with the local support and felt it was important to return."
The two-day conference will feature an impressive line-up of over 40 national and international speakers, including people living with dementia, family carers, leading researchers, healthcare professionals, and policy makers.
Among the keynote contributors will be Kieran O'Donnell, Minister of State at the Department of Health and at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Other highlighted speakers include: Dr Kellyn Lee (UK) on material citizenship and dementia community hubs; Dr Sean Kennelly on optimising brain health for dementia risk reduction; Jo De Clerq (Belgium), specialist in transdisciplinary 24-hour comfort care; and PJ Hartnett and Rose Galvin on age-friendly healthcare.
The conference will also hear from Stephen Kennedy, who is living with frontotemporal lobar dementia and Alzheimer’s.
In addition, an award-winning Irish secondary school student, William Brosnan from Cork, is set to showcase his 'Dementia Shield' prototype at the conference.
William Brosnan won the SciFest Junior Technologist of the Future Award in November 2025 and the BD STEM Stars Software Award last month.
His 'Dementia Shield' project uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality with the aim of supporting quality of life for people living with dementia and potentially slowing down the progression of the disease by reducing anxiety and stress.
William built two applications, which utilise Augmented Reality Smart Glasses and AI, and that aim to reduce anxiety and stress in social situations for people with dementia.
Both technologies work in tandem to remind people of time, place, answer questions, recognise faces and provide gentle orientation supports. The app can also dial emergency contacts and share the user’s location if required.
"Together, these two tools aim to guide daily routines, support memory, and give independence," William said.
"By reducing stress, answering repeated questions calmly, giving reminders, and guiding with GPS, 'Dementia Shield' may help to slow down the progression of dementia."
The conference will host expert panel discussions on key topics such as human rights, Young-Onset Dementia, and Down Syndrome and Dementia.
Local people living with dementia and their carers are especially encouraged to attend, with a discounted rate of €100 for the full two-day event.
Organisers said the unique event "provides an opportunity for connection, learning, and shared experience, bringing together voices from across Ireland and beyond to shape the future of dementia care."
Further details and booking information are available at: engagingdementia.ie