Going back to school in UL

There is no limit to the learning capabilities, even for the retired, under the ‘Age Friendly’ Teaching Programme at University of Limerick, two unique Newport women have shown by example.

Betty Ryan (69), Rosehill, Newport, Elma Gourrege (65), Rosaree, Newport and a colleague, Mary Jackman (77), Castletroy were among the first group of 33 retired or enjoying the third age of life ‘older’ adults who decided to go ‘back to school’ at UL last September.

They signed up for the Public Health Nutrition module from UL's BSc in Food Science and Health undergraduate degree and on graduation last week spoke enthusiastically of the ‘enjoyable’ experience.

The programme is specially designed for older adults, in a post-career phase and focused on personal enrichment and lifelong learning.

It is open to individuals without any prior formal qualifications and applications are open now for Spring 2026 with courses being offered across the range of arts and sciences.

Betty Ryan (née Coffey), originally native of Main Street, Newport, is daughter of the late John and Celine and has delivered hundreds of babies over her 30 years as a midwife in University Maternity Hospital, Limerick.

She said: “My daughter saw the advertisement for the UL Age Friendly Programme and encouraged me to apply. As I had a background in health sciences, I chose the Public Health Nutrition module.

“I wanted to delve further into the science, but I was also interested from a personal health perspective for my own health and longevity. I really enjoyed learning about the medical aspects of nutrition and about diabetes.”

Mother of two, Elma retired to Ireland from South Africa for life nearly Newport five years ago. She explained: “I was intrigued by the fact that I could once again become a student, at a time of my life that I absolutely loved. As my kids say, you're living your best life.”

All modules in the new UL Age Friendly Programme are integral parts of UL’s regular undergraduate programmes and this semester, courses were offered across subjects including arts, humanities, social science, business, science and engineering.

For a nominal fee, participants may attend one module per semester and can opt in or out of formal assessment on completion of their chosen course.

“It was really important to me to participate in Q&A tests, research topics, learn to write assignments, do citations, and to use computers and the university’s IT systems,” added Elma.

Both Betty and Elma chose to be assessed and completed a project together on ‘Nutritional Education Initiatives for Children’, which they presented to their class.

“From my perspective, it was important for me as a retired person to have this opportunity. The undergraduates who shared the classes with us were open and welcoming. The peer-led learning and sharing of ideas was nice. I also hope I shared some of my knowledge and insights with them in my presentation,” said Betty.

“Generations can learn from each other, and this initiative just proved it with our class. It was great to be in a class with young adults, listening to their opinions. We laughed a lot, and of course, we passed on some wisdom. We talked about the wrong choices that we made in the past that have consequences due to not looking after our health,” Elma commented.

Meantime, their colleague on the course, Mary, originally from Co Meath, travelled around the world for work in her youth and later spent 10 years in California before returning to settle in Limerick in the early 1990s.

“I went back to college at University of Limerick as a mature student in 2014 and did an undergrad degree in politics and continued with a master’s programme in sociology," she said.

“When the Age-Friendly initiative was announced, I couldn't wait to sign up and continue my adult education. I think these programmes are extremely important as outreach to the local community,” she added.

Betty, Elma and Mary now plan to return to UL after Christmas to complete another module.

Betty’s advice is “pick a topic you are somewhat interested in. There is work and effort involved if you are going for assessment, so make sure you like the module area”.

Course director of the BSc in Food Science and Health, Dr Miryam Amigo-Benavent, said that having Betty, Mary and Elma in her Public Health Nutrition module, alongside her Third Year class, was a rewarding experience and the young and not so young complimented each other.