According to figures from Age Action Ireland, it is estimated that by 2011, people over the age of 65 will represent 14.1 per cent of the population compared to the 2002 figure of 11.3 per cent and that currently those who are in the 45-64 age group represent 21.2 per cent of the country's population.

These figures show that the amount of elderly people in Ireland is growing. Coupled with the recent prosperity of the country, these people have now more time and money and are looking for new ways to spend both of them.

One place that they can visit is the Over-50s Show taking place in the RDS in Dublin on the 13th and 14th of October.

As the name suggests it is targeted specifically at the over-50 age group and will feature a wide range of exhibitors.

This is the ninth year of the show and it's been going from strength to strength.

"We had 15,500 people at the show last year and we hope to have even more this year, " says Brian McCabe of S & L Promotions who is organizing the event. "In 2006, we had about 150 exhibitors and this year we will have almost 180 stands on display."

The 180 exhibitors will include stands on health, hobbies, travel, investments and lifestyle for the over 50's.

Some of the organisations that will be exhibiting in this year's show include Anglo Irish Banks, Irish Life, the Food Safety Authority and the Equality Authority.

The event will also include personalities such as gardening expert Gerry Daly, painter Frank Clarke and personal finance expert Jill Kerby.

One area that will be largely focused on at this year's show is health. There will be a number of exhibitors who will be offering cholesterol, blood pressure and general health advice.

"As we get older, our facilities begin to deteriorate and we are more susceptible to illness. At the Over-50's show, there will plenty of stands that will promote health awareness, give check-ups and offer tips for healthier living."

Other stands that will be present at the Over-50's Show include a grief councilor who will offer advice on how to cope with bereavement.

There will also be an appearance from Opera Ireland who will be performing Nessum Dorma in honour of the late Luciano Pavarotti.

The Over-50's Show will be run in conjunction with the Senior Times magazine, which is Ireland's only magazine for older people. The popularity of the magazine along with the expected numbers for the show prove that this age group are more and more prominent in today's society.

"People over the age of 50 are the most affluent age group in our society. 90 per cent of over 50's own their own home, " says McCabe.

"Previously this age group was overlooked in terms of marketing, but this has proven to be a huge mistake.

Only recently companies are realizing that this demographic have both the time and the money to be interested in their products."

What sets this show apart from others is the independent advice on hand for the visitors. Not all of the stands will be selling products, some will be looking to inform. Not only is there health and leisure stands on display, there are also stands that will offer citizens information, personal finance advice and consumer rights."

The Over-50s Show will take place in the RDS on the 13th and 14th October. For more information on the show, check out www. thirdage. ie.