Older people showed off their recently acquired computer skills at the launch of Ireland's first internet cafe for seniors and retirees at the Third Age Centre in Summerhill, Co Meath yesterday.
Older people using the internet cafe wanted to learn about computers in the past but found it difficult either because of physical disabilities, embarrassment, fear of failure, or a lack of facilities.
The internet cafe opens on Monday afternoons (with tea and biscuits included) and teaches older people to use e-mail and the internet at their own pace. The centre's members have been using broadband connections to browse for cheap flights, fill in tax forms and talk to overseas relatives using webcams.
Mary Nally, chairwoman of the Third Age Centre, said it was never too late to learn and she encouraged older people to take advantage of computers. She revealed there had been a positive response to learning about computers. "Our members have their own e-mail address so when they come in they may receive an e-mail from a daughter who is living in Australia, and we also have a scanner so they scan in photographs and send them off, so it has opened up a whole new world."
Member Gerry Lee (77) owned a furniture-making business in Trim, Co Meath, which supplied tables and chairs to the Dáil. Now he uses his computer skills to design "bits and pieces" for four of his five children who are moving house, and he plans to get a computer at home.
Retired Garda superintendent Michael Meally is another person who has become computer savvy. In his 60s, he was encouraged to learn more about computers after seeing a 94-year-old member using a computer four years ago.
Seán Power, Minister of State for Health with responsibility for older people, officially opened the internet cafe yesterday. He told older people that computers would "enhance and improve the quality of your life no end".