A 95-year-old blogger from Rathfarnham has taken two prizes at the annual Silver Surfer Awards.
The awards celebrate older people who make the most of the Internet and technology.
They have been held for the last ten years, and are organised by Age Action Ireland.
The 2019 winners were honoured at a ceremony at The Helix in DCU this afternoon.
Florence McGillicuddy, who blogs at Grandadonline.com, won two awards, including the top prize.
He was named the overall National Silver Surfer, in recognition of his contribution to community life through his use of technology.
He brings history to life for students at his local school, as he researches historic facts about and composes the lesson in an email which the teacher reads to pupils.
The students have learned about what life was like in Dublin when Florence was growing up and events such as what happened to Nelson's Pillar, and a plane crash in Terenure.
In turn, the children write back to Florence in old fashioned handwritten letter format.
Florence McGillicudy blogger https://t.co/SqB5MOCCFG is the National Silver Surfer 2019 #silversurfers #positiveageing #ageingequal There he is with his Ballyroan Boys School friends pic.twitter.com/mGNXHB97ed
— Age Action (@AgeAction) May 28, 2019
Flor's children and grandchildren used to attend Ballyroan Boys' School, but he has no family links there at the moment.
In his blog, Flor explains that he acts "as ‘honorary’ grandparent for boys who may have no grandparents, or whose grandparents cannot attend".
As well as being named National Silver Surfer, Flor also took home the Golden IT Award.
At the @AgeAction 10th Annual Silver Surfer Awards @TheHelixDublin today!
It is an award ceremony to honour elderly people who show that the internet and technology is for people of all ages. #ageaction #silversurferawards pic.twitter.com/t6VZhTF5Wr
— Alison Clair (@aliclair_) May 28, 2019
