The Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland (CARDI) and the Strategic Promotion of Ageing Research Capacity (SPARC) joined forces to host a landmark event in Belfast on 10th June. This was the first time SPARC held an event in Ireland and over 90 delegates from a wide range of backgrounds had an opportunity to hear about the latest innovations and developments from researchers across the UK and Ireland. Presenters included staff from Queen’s University Belfast, University of Ulster, Trinity College Dublin, University College London, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Loughborough University, University of Sterling among others. Themes covered included retirement villages, models of care which link ageing and place, a design audit tool for dementia, remodelling sheltered housing for extra care, use of IT to monitor health and the $30million INTEL funded project on technology for independent living.