Nenagh walkway ‘Lights Up’

Nenagh's new walkway at MacDonagh Park is now fully open and members of the community are being encouraged to come and use it.

Éire Óg is taking part in the nationwide ‘Ireland Lights Up’ initiative, wherein participating GAA clubs host community walks over five weeks of winter. The free of charge initiative is a chance for people come and use the 1.7km ‘Slí Éire Óg Walkway’, now fully lit from 6-8am and 5-10pm every day. There are two organised walks each week, including a Tuesday night walk, which is open to all, and a Friday morning walk geared towards older members of the community.

Welcoming all present to last Tuesday night’s walk – the second in the series – Deirdre O’Connor, Healthy Club Officer, explained that the event was one of many taking place around the country as part of Ireland Lights Up. Ms O’Connor said the Éire Óg initiative also serves to introduce the local community to the new walkway and raise awareness that it is now fully finished and available to use. She encouraged those in attendance to consider Éire Óg’s ‘Social Membership’ package, which allows individuals and families to avail of the new facility all-year-round for just €20.

Ms O’Connor took the opportunity to thank the volunteers involved, including the members of Aonach ar Siúl (Nenagh Walking Club), as well as the car park marshals. She also thanked Vantage Towers and local councillor Séamie Morris for securing the lights for the walkway.

ROUTE LAPS

Those in attendance were split into three groups based on the preferred length of walk of the individual participants. The first group went on a 5km walk – three full laps of the walkway. The second group targeted a 4km walk (two laps and one loop around one of the playing fields), while the third group went on a 3k walk (one walkway lap and two loops of the field).

Ms O’Connor pointed out that the new facility is well-illuminated throughout, supervised and safe for people of all ages. This was evident in the age range in attendance, from young children to older people.

She said Ireland Lights Up promotes the community element of Slí Éire Óg, which was always intended as an amenity that could be availed of by the wider community. Several local clubs are already using it, and Ms O’Connor said she was delighted to see the Men’s and Women’s Shed and the Tipperary COPD group getting involved as well.

LONG-TERM PLAN

The Slí Éire Óg was formally launched last summer with a ‘Walkathon’ charity fundraising event.

John Tooher, Éire Óg Vice Chairperson and Development Manager, said the original plan was to develop a 2.5km walkway in tandem with Tipperary Co Council. He explained that this plan was revised due to financial and engineering constraints. But he said it remains a long-term plan of the council to create an additional loop using council-owned land, which can link up with the existing new track to create a route of 2.5km length in total.

Mr Tooher said the €20 annual fee for using the walkway will be put towards its maintenance.

In addition to Vantage Towers, as well as Cllr Morris’ fundraising for the lights, he wanted to thank Darmody Sports Turf for developing the new playing field as part of the development. Mr Tooher also thanked John Mackey Agricultural Contractors for the civil works; Shane O’Gorman Electrical Ltd for electrical installations; Éire Óg’s club volunteers; all who supported the Walkathon; Tipperary County Council for providing grant funding and Analog Devices for a donation that helped pay for the walkway, which in total cost €180,000. He also thanked the Nenagh Guardian for highlighting the initiative.

Mr Tooher said the Éire Óg executive made a decision to complete the community walkway ahead of its two remaining development projects - a modular gym and new field dressing rooms. This has left the club with a funding shortfall, and Éire Óg would be examining its options in the coming weeks.

IRELAND LIGHTS UP

Three metres wide and surfaced with compacted dry fill, the level walkway is fenced, illuminated and also now has signage marking its start point, 500m, 1km, and 1.5km distances to help users track their progress. It is used by joggers as well as walkers. No dogs are allowed.

A digital timing clock is in place for the duration of Ireland Lights Up, thanks to Timmy Crowe (JustRace). Tea and refreshments are served after each walk.