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Mamo McDonald, Honorary President - Age & Opportunity
A mother of 11 children, Mamo McDonald became well known in Ireland and beyond for her leadership of the Irish Country Women’s Association in the 1980s. Mamo has been working on ageing issues since 1987 when she chaired Ireland’s first national day on ageing - an initiative that led to the setting up of Age & Opportunity. She was Age & Opportunity’s Chairperson between 1988 and 2001 when she became Honorary President. She won a People of the Year award at the end of 1999 for her leadership of Age & Opportunity. One of the projects closest to Mamo’s heart at Age & Opportunity is the Bealtaine Festival -celebrating creativity in older age. Passionate about the participation of older people in the arts, Mamo is on the Bealtaine Steering Group and is also an active member of the Bealtaine Writers Group. The festival runs throughout the month of May at venues all over Ireland. Check out www.bealtaine.com for details of this year’s festival.
She has been a member of various committees on ageing including the national steering committee of the UN International Year of Older Persons in 1999. She has been the driving force behind OWN - a national network that seeks to be a voice for older women - and is now on its Board of Directors.
At age 70 she went to University to study for a Higher Diploma in Women’s Studies, which she attained in 2001. She has since taken her studies further and, in 2002, has obtained a Masters Degree in Women’s Studies. In December 2004 she was awarded a Certificate from UCD in ageing and equality.
1. Is this the first time you have made your own postcard, if not, when was the last time?
Yes it is my first time.
2. Can you tell us a little about the inspiration or thoughts behind the card you’ve created?
I held a brainstorming session with 3 of my grand-children & noticed that all the themes were of an optimistic nature and it was out of this I got the idea for a cheery postcard.
3. As someone who has travelled widely and lived a long and full life, what message would you put on a postcard to a fellow traveller or older person?
Something to make them chuckle! A message that despite all the downsides, life is wonderful and we should live it to the full.
4. Do you remember the first time you ever received a postcard?
Yes, from my grandparents when they went on a Mediterranean Cruise. My grandpa got stung by a jellyfish while paddling in Tripoli and finished up in hospital.
5. Do you have a cherished postcard?
Yes I do. It is a Brian O’Higgins Celtic design Christmas Card which went backwards and forwards between two aunts (nuns) years 1940s-1970s. When one of the aunts died her sister continued the exchange with my sister and when the second aunt died my sister and I continued sending it to one another. That sister died last August. I treasure the card with all its messages.
6. Do you send letters/ postcards to your friends when away?
Always. I try to tell a different list of news on each one.
7. For christmas/ birthdays, do any of your friends or relatives ever send you a personally designed card?
My grandchildren are very creative and I have many of their works of art sent as Christmas, Birthday and Get Well Cards.
8. If you could write a postcard sized message to your family and friends, what would it say?
That I think they are wonderful and that I love them to bits.
9. Have you ever kept special postcards you've ever received? Where do you keep them?
Yes I have a bulging nostalgia base and keep the special cards in that. There are masses of cards I have kept as I am a typical squirrel.
10. Did you ever enter a postcard competition on television, back before email/ texts.?
Never. You will notice I lack artistic skills but this time I send my effort on the premise ‘It’s the thought that counts.’
Mamo and her grandchildren created these greats cards:
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