Slí na Sláinte stands for ‘path to health’. Developed by the Irish Heart Foundation, it’s the way to make walking for leisure and good health even more enjoyable. Walking is a near perfect form of physical activity; it’s free, family friendly, suitable for all fitness levels and a great exercise for improving our heart health. Slí na Sláinte meaning Path to Health, aims to encourage people of all ages and abilities to walk more for health and leisure. The programme is divided in two elements – Walking route development and Walking Leader Training (KP insert link to training)
Walking Route Development
Mapped, measure walking routes aim to encourage people to incorporate more walking into their day. A map board is located at the start of the walk to inform people of the distance and duration, signs are located at each kilometre point to encourage and motivate walkers while directional arrows guide people along the route.
There are five mapped routes in Waterford City and County.
CHECK THEM OUT BELOW…..
The aim of the Walk for Life Series is to get people with a disability healthier but also to showcase all the hidden gems that Waterford has to offer.
Sport Ireland is delighted to announce the launch of Get Ireland Walking’s Strategy and Action Plan 2017-2020. Get Ireland Walking is a Sport Ireland initiative, supported by Healthy Ireland and delivered by Mountaineering Ireland.
It seeks to establish a vibrant culture of walking in Ireland by; encouraging widespread participation in walking, promoting the benefits of walking and unifying the efforts of all organisations and agencies interested in promoting walking for recreation, transport and health in Ireland.
Get Ireland Walking promotes recreational walking to all members of society regardless of age, location or ability. The new Strategy and Action Plan outline actions across seven themes; public awareness, education and communication, children and young people, health, environment, communities, research, monitoring and evaluation and partnerships. These themes complement each other to provide a multifaceted approach to increasing recreational walking in Ireland.
Speaking at the event, An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD, said: “Creating a healthier Ireland is a priority for my Government. With these new investments we can help more people, more families and more communities to look after their own health and wellbeing. We are supporting three core areas of physical activity, preventing obesity, and creating a tobacco-free society. By working with schools, communities and State bodies, we are joining the dots to ensure that the benefits of Healthy Ireland are felt at local level.”
John Treacy, CEO of Sport Ireland commented: “I am delighted to see the launch of Get Ireland Walking’s Strategy and Action Plan today. Get Ireland Walking was established in 2013 and aims to promote a culture of walking throughout Ireland. The health benefits of walking, both physical and mental, cannot be underestimated. The strategy outlines actions across seven important themes, which will work to promote a healthier Ireland.”
Walking is the most popular form of physical activity in Ireland. The 2015 Irish Sports Monitor, which surveyed over 8,500 respondents, found that 64.8% took part in recreational walking, nearly five times as many participants as personal exercise, which was the most popular sporting activity.
Recreational walking is a low impact activity that can provide significant health benefits. The National Physical Activity guidelines recommend 150 minutes per week of moderate or vigorous physical activity i.e. five thirty minute sessions. However, any amount of physical activity can provide benefits. Recreational walking is the ideal activity for participants new to physical activity or those who are already active but may not be meeting the guidelines.
Minister for Health, Simon Harris TD commented “Get Ireland Walking’s Strategy and Action Plan offers a clear vision in promoting walking across Ireland. In addition to this the forty one actions within the plan also reflect areas of Ireland’s National Physical Activity Plan. Together Get Ireland Walking and its partner organisations will work to empower communities and individuals to lead a healthier lifestyle. This form of inter-organisation partnership is vital for success and we look forward to working with our partners in the future”.
Murrough McDonagh, CEO of Mountaineering Ireland commented, “This plan represents months of consultation, negotiating and evaluation by Get Ireland Walking and our partner organisations. It is a fantastic achievement to see so many partners committed to the various actions outlined in the plan over the next four years. I would like to thank the government bodies, sporting bodies, charities and other stakeholders who helped develop this plan”.
Get Ireland Walking’s Strategy and Action Plan 2017-2020 is available HERE
Walk for Life is back! – After the success of the Spring Walk for Life Series, Waterford Sports Partnership is delighted to be hosting the Summer Walk for Life Series for over 50’s and people with a disability.
The five week series gives older adults and disability groups a chance to get out and get active whilst enjoying the beautiful Waterford countryside. The series of walks are suitable for leisure walkers, however we do advise you to check the accessibility of walks with us in advance. All you need is suitable walking shoes (runners are ideal) and suitable clothing for the weather.
This walk is on the recently opened Waterford Greenway along the old Waterford to Dungarvan Railway Track — a fully accessible tarmac surface making it perfect for walking, running and cycling. The route begins at Kilmacthomas Coach House and goes over the Kilmacthomas viaduct with beautiful views across Comeraghs Mountains
Fourth walk will take place on Tuesday 7th March at 10.30am in Tramore.
We were delighted to see such a great turnout for the second walk in the Walk for Life series, a series of five leisure walks across Waterford over the coming weeks for over 50’s and people with a disability. Despite the blustery morning, fifty two leisure walkers enjoyed the beautiful scenery of the Anne Valley in Dunhill. Highlights of the walk included views of the castle, the magnificent wildlife and walkers returning to their childhood with the numerous fairy doors along the 4.4km route.On completion of the walk, everybody enjoyed the hospitality at Dunhill Enterprise Centre for tea, coffee and scones.
The five week series organised by Waterford Sports Partnership includes walks on the Waterford Greenway Shanacool (Durrow), Anne Valley (Dunhill), Clonea Beach (Dungarvan), Tramore Bay and Lismore Towers and gives older adults and disability groups a chance to get out and get active whilst enjoying the beautiful Waterford countryside. The series of walks are suitable for leisure walkers; however we do advise you to check the accessibility of walks with us in advance. All you need is suitable walking shoes (runners are ideal) and suitable clothing for the weather.
Our fourth walk will take place on Tuesday 7th March at 10.30am in Tramore. The 4km walk will cover the route of the Tramore parkrun with magnificent views along the coastline but please be aware that this walk is uneven and gravelly in parts.
The meeting point in Tramore is the promenade closest to Dooly’s chip shop at 10.30am. Walkers will need suitable walking shoes (runners are ideal), warm clothing and a waterproof jacket.
COST PER WALK: €3 (INCL. TEA/COFFEE/SCONE) – PLEASE PRE REGISTER
with Peter Jones on 0761 10 2191 /087 7855940 or email Peter – pjones@waterfordsportspartnership.ie
Waterford Sports Partnership were delighted to see such a great turnout for the first two walks in the Walk for Life Series for over 50’s & people with a disability.
Despite the very wet and windy conditions fifty four brave and enthusiastic leisure walkers strolled the newly developed Waterford Greenway Project from Shanacool (Durrow) walking along the old Waterford to Dungarvan Railway Track on Tuesday 14th February. Walkers enjoyed beautiful views of the rugged coastline in addition to walking through Ballyvoile Tunnel and the seven Arch Viaduct. Special thanks to Tom O’Mahony from O’Mahony’s pub in Durrow for hosting the walkers for tea, coffee, scones and a well lit fire!
There was another great turnout for the second walk despite the blustery morning, fifty two leisure walkers enjoyed the beautiful scenery of the Anne Valley in Dunhill on Tuesday 21st February. Highlights of the walk included views of the castle, the magnificent wildlife and walkers returning to their childhood with the numerous fairy doors along the 4.4km route. On completion of the walk, everybody enjoyed the hospitality at Dunhill Enterprise Centre for tea, coffee and scones.
The five week series includes walks on the Waterford Greenway, Shanacool (Durrow), Anne Valley (Dunhill), Clonea Beach (Dungarvan), Tramore bay and Lismore Towers and gives older adults and disability groups a chance to get out and get active whilst enjoying the beautiful Waterford countryside. The series of walks are suitable for leisure walkers, however we do advise you to check the accessibility of walks with us in advance. All you need is suitable walking shoes (runners are ideal) and suitable clothing for the weather.
Our third walk will take place on Tuesday 28th February at 10.30am along the beautiful landscape of the internationally awarded ‘blue flag’ Clonea Beach, Dungarvan. There are numerous options for walkers to take in the fantastic beach scenery or begin walking towards the new Waterford Greenway at Scartore.
The meeting point in Clonea is the public car park near Clonea Beach at 10.30am. Walkers will need suitable walking shoes (runners are ideal), warm clothing and a waterproof jacket.
COST PER WALK: €3 (INCL. TEA/COFFEE/SCONE) – PLEASE PRE REGISTER
with Peter Jones on 0761 10 2191 /087 7855940 or email Peter – pjones@waterfordsportspartnership.ie
For the full list of the ‘Walk for Life’ series visit
http://waterfordsportspartnership.blogspot.ie/2017/02/walk-for-life-2017-for-over-50s.html
Walk for Life is back! – After the success of the 2016 Walk for Life Series, Waterford Sports Partnership is delighted to be hosting the 2017 Walk for Life Series for over 50’s and people with a disability.
The five week series gives older adults and disability groups a chance to get out and get active whilst enjoying the beautiful Waterford countryside. The series of walks are suitable for leisure walkers, however we do advise you to check the accessibility of walks with us in advance. All you need is suitable walking shoes (runners are ideal) and suitable clothing for the weather.
Our second walk will take place on Tuesday 21st February
@ 10.30am along the Anne Valley Walk in Dunhill.
The Anne Valley is a flat 4.4km walk which follows the Anne Valley River which flows through the Anne Valley and meanders past many beautiful ponds to reach Dunhill Castle 2.2km from the starting point. The walk is also a protected wildlife area and if you are lucky you may see some of the many protected wildlife species such as the Heron, Kingfisher, Otter and an amazing range of other fauna and flora. The Anne Valley walk path allows comfortable wheelchair and buggy access with no steep slopes. There are several bench seats along the walk where you can sit and relax and enjoy the peace of the valley while watching the wildlife.
The meeting point in Anne Valley is the car park nearest the log cabin at 10.30am. Walkers will need suitable walking shoes (runners are ideal), warm clothing and a waterproof jacket.
Check out the video of the 2016 walk for life series which includes highlights of the Anne Valley
COST PER WALK: €3 (INCL. TEA/COFFEE/SCONE) – PLEASE PRE REGISTER
with Peter Jones on 0761 10 2191 /087 7855940 or email Peter – pjones@waterfordsportspartnership.ie
Click here for the full list of the Walk for Life Series of walks
Congratulations to the 98 individuals who took part in at least one of the five walks in our Walk for Life Series in September and October. 76 people took part in the final walk on the Deise Greenway in Durrow.
The aim of the Walk for Life series was to get over 50’s out and active, but to also showcase walks in our fabulous county. These walks included Glenshelane Woods, Tramore Beach, Colligan Woods, Anne Valley in Dunhill and the Deise Greenway Walk in Durrow.
Joe Walsh said “Any walk that gets me out of the house is smashing” and Ann O’Flynn saying “Best thing for years. Out in the fresh air, meeting loads of people from all over the county”
If you wish to find out any more information on future events, please contact Peter Jones on
0761 10 2191 or by email at pjones@waterfordsportspartnership.ie
The fourth walk in the Walk Waterford Autumn Series was held on Sunday 9th October along the Anne Valley Walk in Dunhill. The weather was gorgeous and the participants all thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful scenic walk , the children had great fun looking for fairy doors along the way.
Waterford Sports Partnership was delighted to have the opportunity to showcase some of Waterford’s finest walks as part of the Walk Waterford Series in September and October this year. So far we have strolled along the Dungarvan Railway Track, trekked through the beautiful Colligan Woods, rambled along the Tramore Doneraile, meandered through the Anne Valley and now we are excited to go on to explore all the new Waterford Greenway (Durrow) has to offer on Sunday 16th October.
The Durrow Greenway is a part of the newly developed Waterford Greenway Project along the old Waterford to Dungarvan Railway Track. The newly developed walk is fully accessible tarmac surface making it perfect for walking running and cycling. The route goes through the Ballyvoile Tunnel and across the seven Arch Viaduct from where participants will get beautiful views of the Waterford coastline.
The meeting point is the car park opposite O’ Mahoney’s shop in Durrow at 2pm. Walkers will need suitable walking shoes (runners are ideal), warm clothing and a waterproof jacket. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
To find out more, please contact, Pauline Cunningham, Sports Development Officer, Waterford Sports Partnership on 0761 10 2682/086 7837385.
Waterford Sports Partnership (WSP) was established in 2002 by Sport Ireland (formerly the Irish Sports Council) as part of the Local Sports Partnership initiative with the aim of increasing participation in sport and physical activity in County Waterford.
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Waterford Sports Partnership Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG)
CRO Number: 378713
Registered Office –
Civic Offices
Dungarvan
Co. Waterford
Ireland
County Office:
Civic Offices
Dungarvan
Co. Waterford
Tel: 058 21194
City Office:
Regional Sports Centre
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Email: info@waterfordsportspartnership.ie
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