Investigated the risk factors for social and emotional loneliness among older people in Ireland. A total of 683 adults aged 65-99 (mean age 73.5) completed phone surveys using the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults. Levels of social and family loneliness were low, but romantic loneliness was relatively high. Predictors for social loneliness included greater age, poorer health, living in a rural area, and lack of contact with friends. Living in a rural setting, male gender, having a lower income, being widowed, no access to transport, infrequent contact with children and relatives, and caring for a spouse or relative at home were significant predictors of family loneliness. Romantic loneliness was predicted by marital status, in particular being widowed. Never having married or being divorced or separated were also significant predictors for romantic loneliness. Findings indicate that loneliness for older people is variable, multidimensional, and experienced differently according to life events. (LC) (AgeLine Database, copyright 2008 EBSCO Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved)