With not one but two participants with strong Wicklow links taking part in series 16 of Operation Transformation this year, viewing numbers from County Wicklow are expected to be high. Wicklow responds well every year to the show but perhaps this year, there is a little more inspiration in the air?
‘Ireland Lights Up’ – the country’s biggest community walking initiative – returns to GAA clubs in January 2023 in partnership with RTE’s Operation Transformation and the support of Get Ireland Walking.
The initiative encourages GAA clubs across the 32 counties to light up their walking tracks and bring communities together to walk and talk in a safe environment during the dark winter evenings. As ever, a club participating in Ireland Lights Up will be showcased each week on RTE’s Operation Transformation.
Whether you are following Arklow Native Andrea Daly on her journey or Wicklow Primary School Principal Lorraine Dunne as she gets her health and well being back on track, there is bound to be an event taking place near you.
Uachtarán CLG, Larry McCarthy, said: “The GAA is delighted to see Ireland Lights Up return in 2023 in partnership with RTE’s Operation Transformation and Get Ireland Walking. It is one of our most popular initiatives and it opens our clubs to the communities that support them throughout the year.
“We are also delighted to be again teaming up with Irish Life to deliver another Healthy Clubs Steps Challenge as part of ILU 2023. The use of the MyLife App enables participants to track their individual steps and health benefits, while also potentially winning some valuable prizes for their clubs.”
To download the Mylife app for Android
To download the Mylife app for Apple
Here are some of the GAA clubs taking part around the county.
Arklow Geraldines Ballymoney, Avoca, Blessington, Bray Emmets, Greystones Eire Og, Kilmacanogue, Kiltegan, Newtownmountkennedy, Roundwood An Tochar, Shillelagh / Coolboy.
For more details and contacts for the clubs.
2 Additional events being run along the Operation timeline but not in conjunction with Ireland Lights Up are:
Jack Whites @ 7pm. Starting Monday 9th January, running for 8 weeks.
Redcross, Cullen Memorial Park @ 7pm. Starting Monday 9th January.
