RTÉ
OPERATION TRANSFORMATION GETTING THE NATION WALKING
Thousands of people are set to start their New Year health kick at a brisk pace this weekend as they take part in the annual RTÉ Operation Transformation Nationwide Walks.
The walks, which have been organised in association with Sport Ireland and the Local Sports Partnerships, will take place at more than 50 locations around the country on Saturday, January 9th.
This year Operation Transformation, sponsored by safefood, is putting it up to the nation to collectively lose one million pounds in one year and the Nationwide Walks are the perfect way to kick-start the challenge.
See the table below for further details of venues and times and then simply turn up on the day with comfortable clothing and your runners on.
Operation Transformation host Kathryn Thomas said: “What better way to start the New Year than to get out into the fresh air and go walking. Every year, thousands of people join our Nationwide Walks and the support they give each other, and our leaders, is amazing. It’s totally free and everyone takes the walk at their own pace so no matter what your age or fitness level is, you can take part. It’s your move!”
John Treacy, CEO of Sport Ireland said: “Sport Ireland is delighted to be working with RTÉ’s Operation Transformation for the sixth year running in 2016. The annual Nationwide Walks are a very important event in the promotion of healthy living and the pursuit of exercise and I would encourage everyone to participate in their local walks.”
Our five leaders will be spearheading walks in their local areas:
| LEADER | VENUE/MEETING POINT |
| Noeleen Lynam | Belvedere House and Gardens, Mullingar, Co Westmeath |
| Lucy Dillon | Kells, Co, Meath (meeting point: Fairgreen Car Park) |
| Claire Scanlon | The Demense, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick |
| John Conmy | Belmullet, Co, Mayo (meeting point: Belmullet Civic Centre) |
| Dan Kennedy | Kilmainham Gaol, Inchicore Road, Kilmainham, Co. Dublin |
For further information see: www.rte.ie/ot
Twitter: @OpTranRTE and @gokathrynthomas
* Photographers are welcome to attend any walk locations and to send photos for possible inclusion in the TV series to ot@rte.ie*
*Please note that, due to inclement weather conditions, venues and times may be subject to change*
For further information contact: Gareth Naughton, RTÉ TV Press Officer, T: 01-2082667; E: gareth.naughton@rte.ie
Saturday, 9th January 2016 10am start:
Carlow
County: Carlow
Town: Tullow
Meeting Point: Rathwood Home & Garden Centre
Distance: 5km
Time: 10am
Website Link: https://www.facebook.com/County-Carlow-Sports-Partnership-208835509176257/timeline/
Cork
County: Cork
Town: Bishopstown
Meeting Point: CIT Athletics Track, Bishopstown
Distance: 4.5km
Time: 10am
Website Link: www.corksports.ie
Donegal
County: Donegal
Town: Maghery, Dungloe
Meeting Point: Maghery Community Centre
Distance: 3.2km
Time: 10am
Website Link: www.activedonegal.com
Dublin City
County: Dublin
Town: Kilmainham
Meeting Point: Kilmainham Gaol, Inchicore Road, Kilmainham, Dublin 8
Distance: 5km
Time: 10am
Website Link: www.dublincity.ie
Dublin South
County: Dublin
Town: Tallaght
Meeting Point: Tymon Park
Distance: 5km
Time: 10am
Website Link: www.sdcsp.ie
Dun Laoghaire – Rathdown
County: Dublin
Town: Dun Laoghaire
Meeting Point: People’s Park
Distance: 4km
Time: 10am
Website Link: www.dlrsportspartnership.ie
Fingal
County: Dublin
Town: Swords
Meeting Point: Ward River Valley
Distance: 3km
Time: 10am
Website Link: www.fingal.ie
Kildare
County: Kildare
Town: Naas
Meeting Point: Naas GAA Club, Sallins Road, Naas
Distance: 4.5km
Time: 10am
Website Link: www.kildare.ie/kildaresp
Laois
County: Laois.
Town: Emo
Meeting Point: Emo Community Centre
Distance: 7km.
Time: 10am.
Website Link: www.laoissports.ie
Leitrim
County: Leitrim
Town: Ballinamore
Meeting Point: Ballinamore Sports Complex (beside the playground)
Distance: 5km
Time: 10am
Website Link: www.leitrimsports.ie
County: Leitrim
Town: Carrick on Shannon
Meeting Point: Leitrim County Council Offices, Aras an Chontae
Distance: 5.5km
Time: 10am
Website Link: www.leitrimsports.ie
County: Leitrim
Town: Kinlough
Meeting Point: Kinlough Community Centre
Distance: 5km
Time: 10am
Website Link: www.leitrimsports.ie
Limerick
County: Limerick
Town: Newcastle West
Meeting Point: Community Centre
Distance: 5km
Time: 10am
Website Link: http://www.limericksports.ie/index.php/news/249-operation-transformation-2016
County: Limerick
Town: Limerick
Meeting Point: Shelbourne Park
Distance: 5km
Time: 10am
Website Link: http://www.limericksports.ie/index.php/news/249-operation-transformation-2016
Longford
County: Longford
Town: Longford Town
Meeting Point: Market Square
Distance: Approx. 5km
Time: 10am
Website Link: www.facebook.com/longfordsportspartnership
Louth
County: Louth
Town: Dundalk
Meeting Point: Muirhevnamór Community Centre, Muirhevnamór, Dundalk
Distance: 4.9km
Time: 10am
Website Link: www.louthlsp.ie
Mayo
County: Mayo
Town: Ballina
Meeting Point: Ballina Soccer Club
Distance: 5km
Time: 10am
Website Link: www.parkrun.ie/Ballina or Ballina parkrun Facebook page
County: Mayo
Town: Ballyhaunis
Meeting Point: Friary Field (beside playground)
Distance: 5km
Time: 10am
Website Link: www.mayosports.ie
County: Mayo
Town: Belmullet
Meeting Point: Belmullet Civic Centre
Distance: 5km
Time: 10am
Website Link: www.mayosports.ie
County: Mayo
Town: Castlebar
Meeting Point: Castlebar Tennis Club.
Distance: 3km or 5km
Time: 10am
Website Link: www.mayosports.ie
Meath
County: Meath
Town: Kells
Meeting Point: Opposite SuperValu Car Park
Distance: Approx. 5km
Time: 10am
Website Link: www.facebook.com/meathsportspartnership
County: Meath
Town: Navan
Meeting Point: Blackwater Park
Distance: Approx 5km
Time: 10am
Website Link: www.facebook.com/meathsportspartnership
County: Meath
Town: Trim
Meeting Point: Castle Street
Distance: Approx. 4km
Time: 10am
Website Link: www.facebook.com/meathsportspartnership
Monaghan
County: Monaghan
Town: Monaghan Town
Meeting Point: Monaghan Harps GFC (walking the Greenway)
Distance: 3.5 & 5km
Time: 10am
Website Link: www.monaghansports.ie
Offaly
County: Offaly
Town: Cloghan
Meeting point: Cloghan GAA
Distance: 1, 3 & 5km distances available
Time: 10am
Website: www.offalysports.ie
Tipperary
County: Tipperary
Town: Cahir
Meeting Point: Duneske Sports Centre
Distance: 5km
Time: 10am
Website Link: www.tipperarysports.ie
County: Tipperary
Town: Clonmel
Meeting Point: Park Hotel
Distance: 5km
Time: 10am
Website Link: www.tipperarysports.ie
County: Tipperary
Town: Templemore
Meeting Point: Templemore Athletic Club
Distance: 4.1km
Time: 10am
Website Link: www.tipperarysports.ie
County: Tipperary
Town: Tipperary Town
Meeting Point: Canon Hayes Sports Centre
Distance: 5km
Time: 10am
Website Link: www.tipperarysports.ie
Roscommon
County: Roscommon
Town: Roscommon
Meeting Point: Girl Guides Centre, Mote Park
Distance: 3km.
Time: 10am.
Website Link: www.rosactive.org
Sligo
County: Sligo
Town: Sligo Town
Meeting Point: JFK Parade, Riverside, Sligo Town
Distance: 4km
Time: 10am
Website Link: www.sligosportandrecreation.ie
Waterford
County: Waterford.
Town: Dungarvan.
Meeting Point: The Causeway Tennis Club, Abbeyside.
Distance: 3.5km & 5km options
Time: 10am.
Website Link: http://waterfordsportspartnership.blogspot.ie/2015/12/operation-transformation-2016-waterford.html
County: Waterford
Town: Waterford City
Meeting Point: Regional Sports Centre, Cork Road
Distance: 4km & 6km options
Time: 10am
Website Link: http://waterfordsportspartnership.blogspot.ie/2015/12/operation-transformation-2016-waterford.html
Westmeath
County: Westmeath
Town: Athlone
Meeting Point: AIT
Distance: 3-5km
Time: 10am
Website Link: www.facebook.com/westmeathsport
County: Westmeath
Town: Mullingar
Meeting Point: Belvedere House and Gardens
Distance: 3-5km
Time: 10am
Website Link: www.facebook.com/westmeathsport
Wexford
County: Wexford
Town: Bunclody
Meeting Point: Bunclody Golf and Fishing Club
Distance: 3.5km
Time: 10am
Website Link: www.wexford.ie/sportsactive
County: Wexford
Town: New Ross
Meeting Point: Apex Swimming Pool, New Ross
Time: 10am
Website Link: www.wexford.ie/sportsactive
Wicklow
County: Wicklow
Town: Bray
Meeting Point: The Bandstand, Bray Seafront
Distance: 3km
Time: 10am
Website Link: www.wicklowlsp.ie
Alternative start times Saturday, 9th January 2016:
Cavan
County: Cavan
Town: Cootehill
Meeting Point: St Michael’s Hall, Cootehill
Distance: 5km
Time: 11am
Website Link: CSP website currently unavailable to update.
Clare
County: Clare
Town: Ennis
Meeting Point: Lees Road
Distance: 5km
Time: 9:30am
Website Link: www.claresportspartnership.ie
County: Clare
Town: Killaloe
Meeting Point: Clarisford Park
Distance: 5km
Time: 9:30am
Website Link: www.claresportspartnership.ie
County: Clare
Town: Kilrsush
Meeting Point: Vandeleur Gardens
Distance: 5km
Time: 9:30am
Website Link: www.claresportspartnership.ie
Fingal
County: Dublin
Town: Castleknock
Meeting Point: Porterstown Park, Dublin 15
Distance: 3km
Time: 11am
Website Link: www.fingal.ie
Galway
County: Galway
Town: Salthill
Meeting Point: Salthill car park
Distance: 5km
Time: 12 noon
Website Link: http://www.galwaycity.ie/sports-partnership/
Kerry
County: Kerry
Town: Killarney
Meeting Point: Mission Road – opposite Msgnr Hugh O’Flaherty Monument
Distance: 5 & 10km
Time: 12 noon
Website Link: http://www.kerryrecreationandsports.ie
Kilkenny
County: Kilkenny
Town: Castlecomer
Meeting Point: Castlecomer Discovery Park Reception
Distance: 5km
Time: 11am
Website Link: www.krsp.ie
County: Kilkenny
Town: Kilkenny City
Meeting Point: The Watershed
Distance: 5km
Time: 11am
Website Link: www.krsp.ie
County: Kilkenny
Town: Piltown
Meeting Point: The Iverk Showgrounds
Distance: 5km
Time: 11am
Website Link: www.krsp.ie
Leitrim
County: Leitrim
Town: Manorhamilton
Meeting Point: Bee Park Community Centre, Manorhamilton
Distance: 5km.
Time: 12 noon.
Website Link: www.krsp.ie
Mayo
County: Mayo
Town: Claremorris
Meeting Point: Mc Mahon Park at Clare Lake
Distance: 3km or 5km
Time: 1pm.
Website Link: www.mayosports.ie
County: Mayo
Town: Westport
Meeting Point: Westport Leisure Park
Distance: 5km.
Time: 9:30am.
Website Link: info@westportleisure.com
Wexford
County: Wexford.
Town: Duncannon.
Meeting Point: TBC
Distance: 30-40 min.
Time: 11am.
Club: Ramsgrange Steppers
Website Link: www.wexford.ie/sportsactive
County: Wexford
Town: Rathangan
Meeting Point: Rathangan Hall, Rathangan
Distance: 35 min walking
Time: 7pm
Club: Sunny South East Strollers
Website Link: www.wexford.ie/sportsactive