Wicklow GAA clubs ‘Light Up’ with RTE's Operation Transformation walks

Bray Emmets GAA Community Walk. Anne and Gerard Longmore, Dave Barry, Mairead Nolan and Jenny O'Reilly.

Community Walk At Éire Óg Greystones. Catherine Cahill, Josie Whelan, Lynn Dowdall, Genny Slowey, Tara Brady, Ciara Fagan and Siobhan McCormack.

Bray Emmets GAA Community Walk. Harry Doyle and Leah Crowley.

Bray Emmets GAA Community Walk. Kelly Prunty, Marie and Maya Murphy, Trisha Molloy and Jaylin O'Toole.

thumbnail: Bray Emmets GAA Community Walk. Anne and Gerard Longmore, Dave Barry, Mairead Nolan and Jenny O'Reilly.
thumbnail: Community Walk At Éire Óg Greystones. Catherine Cahill, Josie Whelan, Lynn Dowdall, Genny Slowey, Tara Brady, Ciara Fagan and Siobhan McCormack.
thumbnail: Bray Emmets GAA Community Walk. Harry Doyle and Leah Crowley.
thumbnail: Bray Emmets GAA Community Walk. Kelly Prunty, Marie and Maya Murphy, Trisha Molloy and Jaylin O'Toole.
Michael Sheridan
© Bray People

Wicklow's GAA clubs are getting their local community walking as part of RTE's Operation Transformation and the GAA’s ‘Ireland Lights Up’ walking initiative.

The campaign encourages GAA clubs across the 32 counties to turn on their floodlights and open their walking tracks to enable their local communities to come together to walk and talk in a safe environment during the long dark evenings of winter.

The new year is a great opportunity to get active and famous Wicklow GAA clubs, Bray Emmets and Éire Óg, Greystones are just two of the many clubs that have signed up to get people walking this winter promoted by the popular TV show.

The walks are suited to all fitness levels and people should not feel intimidated or overawed at the prospect of getting out twice weekly with their local club. Most walkers are starting from a low fitness base line.

A spokesperson from Éire Óg said: "It is a wonderful opportunity to get active in the new year as well as meet new people."

Bray Emmets’ representative echoed those sentiments, adding: "If for instance you haven’t done any walking or real exercise for a while, well join the club as most of us are in the same boat."

Bray Emmets has a specific beginner's level walk that will ease people in with a gentle few thousand steps a night "and see how we go from there."

There are quicker walks for the more competitive out there, but no matter your fitness level you will find good company to share your walk with.

Bray Emmets walking groups go out on Monday and Friday nights at 7 p.m. for a total of 10 weeks (it is recommended to arrive 10-15 minutes early to register).

Éire Óg walking groups go out for a 5km walk around Greystones on Tuesdays starting at 6 p.m., and Thursdays at 8 p.m. - meeting up at the clubhouse.

Both clubs say the one thing walkers can be sure of is a warm welcome.

Bray Emmets after its first walk said: "There was a great turnout tonight for our first walk of 2023. We had 110 people join us and hope to see many more over the next few weeks."

The walks are suitable for all ages and abilities. Walkers are advised to wear a high visibility vest.

Participating Clubs in County Wicklow: An Tochar GAA, Arklow Geraldines Ballymoney, Avoca GAA, Blessington GAA, Bray Emmets GAA club, Kiltegan GAA, Natalia Mackessy, Newtown GAA, Shillelagh Coolboy GAA and Éire Óg Greystones.