I wasn't going to respond to this, but I share similarities. Trying to beat inflation is like trying to stop day going into night. Most likely, for us mere mortals it cannot be done, but you can take steps to reduce the worst impact of inflation. Investing in your late 60's is likely also folly and worse again stressful..
Ordinary cost of living in Ireland is expensive. Electricity is dear, so is gas, petrol, internet and almost everything else. Move to Spain or Portugal or Italy for twelve weeks over the colder months and you can live much cheaper. OK! - You have to pay for flights, transfers, accommodation rental. When abroad you live cheaper depending on your lifestyle. Electricity is not cheap on the continent, but you use a hell of a lot less. Neither do you drive as much as you would in Ireland (optional). Wine, beer etc are a fraction of what you would pay in Dublin. If you smoke you're into huge savings immediately.
Book your cheaper flights as early as you can after booking accommodation. You're not going on holidays - you're just temporarily changing your lifestyle for a while and all the sunshine is bonus. You don't have to stay in the dearest areas and good (centrally located) accommodation costs €900 per month with internet, electricity, refuse, cleaning, water charges included. You can get cheaper, but , , , Figure out a way to make it work for you (and that ain't too difficult) and suddenly you're in clover (well, competing with and not giving into inflation for a change). And when you wake up every morning you can read your brains out, surf the net, walk til you drop and hey! live in shorts and tee shirts while most nearly freeze in Ireland.
Alternative:- Carry on as is . . .