Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council Health and Recreation Department
Active Ageing Ambassadors
Our getactiveabc Active Ageing Ambassadors are inspiring local people who are passionate about helping others stay active, connected and healthy as they get older. Through their own experiences and love of physical activity, they showcase the many ways people can enjoy an active lifestyle, whether that’s the gym, walking, swimming, fitness classes, dancing, running, cycling or squash.
Our ambassadors each bring their own unique interests, personalities and stories. From award-winning fitness instructor Jackie Halligan, to dance enthusiast Maura McGarry, accomplished masters athlete Earl Taylor, squash player Nick Rusk and walking advocate Paddy Haughian. They prove that it’s never too late to start something new and enjoy the physical and social benefits of staying active.
Keep an eye out for our ambassadors at events and activities across the borough.
Jackie Halligan
Jackie Halligan is living proof that retirement can be the start of an exciting new adventure. A former hockey player with both Armagh Hockey Club and Stranmillis University College, Jackie joined the popular Over 50s club at Richhill Recreation Centre after retiring from teaching to boost her own fitness and wellbeing. What began as attending classes soon developed into a new passion, leading Jackie to qualify as an instructor herself.
A familiar face across the borough, Jackie teaches a range of fitness classes throughout our centres and is passionate about showing people that getting older doesn’t mean slowing down. In fact, she believes quite the opposite! During lockdown, she embraced online fitness classes and social media, gaining a huge following through her fitness content and inspiring thousands of people to get moving. Her dedication and enthusiasm were recognised in June when she was awarded Inspirational Fitness Personality at the Heart & Soul Awards and was also named Runner-Up in the Regional Instructor (Ireland) category. As Jackie approaches her 70th birthday, she has no intention of changing any of it. Whether she’s teaching a class, enjoying a walk, singing with local choirs or encouraging others to take that first step towards a healthier lifestyle, she believes age should never be a barrier to staying active and enjoying life.
As an Active Ageing Ambassador, Jackie hopes to inspire others to take that first step, challenge perceptions of ageing and realise that some of life’s best adventures can begin later in life.
Paddy Haughian
Paddy Haughian is a keen walker and dedicated advocate for active ageing. He is a Walking for Health Walk Leader and Chairperson of the Upper Bann U3A, helping people stay active, connected and engaged within their local communities.
After retiring, Paddy found himself with plenty of time on his hands. When someone suggested he join U3A, he decided to give it a try and has been hooked ever since.
Paddy firmly believes that walking is about much more than exercise. It’s about friendship, conversation and improving overall well-being. In 2024, he won the Southern Health and Social Care Trust’s Movement for Life photography competition with a fantastic image of his walking group enjoying a stroll at Oxford Island. His winning slogan summed up his approach perfectly:”Walking the walk and talking the talk. We all move together for improved physical and mental well-being.”
When he’s not out leading walks, Paddy enjoys reading, writing and playing Bridge. He is also a qualified tour guide and delivers historical walking tours at various locations across Ireland.
As an Active Ageing Ambassador, Paddy hopes to encourage more people to get outdoors, meet new people and discover that sometimes the best conversations happen on a walk
Maura McGarry
Maura describes herself as a proud “seenager” rather than a senior and at 71 years young she’s proof that age is just a number! A keen sportsperson throughout her life, Maura played hockey and tennis at senior level and now enjoys swimming regularly to keep active. Her greatest passions, however, are music and dance. She is a member of several dance groups, including Maiden Voyage Dance and Age on Stage and even leads a line dancing class with U3A at Brownlow Hub.
Living with blood cancer has not stopped Maura embracing an active lifestyle. She attends our Move More Macmillan programme and understands first hand the physical and mental benefits that being active can bring. Living independently, she also enjoys attending tea dances, which provide the perfect opportunity to socialise, make new friends and stay fit and healthy.
As an Active Ageing Ambassador, Maura hopes to inspire others to get involved, try something new and discover activities that help them stay active, connected and young at heart.
Nick Rusk
At 66 years young, Nick is a firm believer that staying active should be enjoyable, social and part of everyday life. A passionate squash player for more than 35 years, Nick has represented Ulster on numerous occasions and recently competed in the International Masters Home Internationals. He still plays squash three times a week and loves the challenge, fitness and friendships that come with the sport.
When he’s not on the squash court, Nick enjoys watching almost any sport, especially football. During the Covid lockdowns, he decided to take on a new challenge and taught himself to play the drums when he turned 60! He now regularly jams with a couple of local musicians and is quick to point out that drumming is a surprisingly good workout too!
As an Active Ageing Ambassador, Nick is passionate about encouraging others to keep moving, try new activities and discover that staying active can be both fun and rewarding at any age.
Earl Taylor
At 79, Earl is not only a getactiveabc Fitness Advisor at Banbridge and South Lake Leisure Centres, but also a fantastic example of what can be achieved with a positive attitude and a willingness to try something new. Earl took up competitive athletics at the age of 60 and hasn’t looked back since. What started with completing the getactiveabc Couch to 5K programme has grown into an impressive athletics career, including competing in decathlons and filling a room with medals along the way.
His most recent success came at the Northern Ireland Masters Track & Field Championships, where he won Gold in the Men’s 75+ Javelin and Bronze in the Men’s 75+ Discus. However, Earl believes his greatest achievement is continuing to enjoy an active lifestyle and encouraging others to do the same.
A firm believer in living life to the fullest, Earl is passionate about the benefits of staying active, meeting new people, trying new experiences and embracing every opportunity that comes your way. As an Active Ageing Ambassador, he hopes to inspire others to discover that age is no barrier to setting goals, building friendships and achieving more than you ever thought possible.
