You're never to old to engage online. That's the message from Google Ireland's Social Action Group which has been hosting Internet classes for over 200 people aged 50 and upwards all this week at its European Headquarters in Dublin. 

This week local community groups from St. Andrew's Resource Centre, Pearse Street, Liberties College, The Larkin Centre and Nascadh Community Development Programme have been having one to one Internet tuition with Google employees who've shown pensioners  and older folk  how to use the Internet, send email and get to grips with social networking websites like Skype, Facebook and Twitter. 

In this photo, Google's Joe Cummiskey, from Donnybrook, encourages Mary Downes (80), from East Wall, to surf online.

Google Ireland's Social Action Group develops community outreach programmes for its employees to increase the search giant's  involvement in the local community.

"Using the Internet is something that today's generation has grown up with so it's very easy for them," said Sinead Gibney of Google Ireland's Social Action Group. 

"We set up this week of classes as we want as many people of all ages to use the Internet. Some people don't need to use a computer for work and they have had very little exposure to what they can do online, like shopping, staying in touch with family and friends or even researching family history. 

"This week's events are about helping older people understand how the Internet is relevant to them and showing them how easy it is to use the Internet and to communicate online." 

She added "Internet usage is not yet reflective of all groups in our society and until it is, we are missing out. We wouldn't be happy if our newspapers excluded contributions from older people, and we should be thinking about the Internet in the same way and do everything we can to make it a more inclusive place for all."