“Let’s Walk & Talk has helped me meet and greet new friends, keep fit and expand my local knowledge”  Greg Young, Dublin 12

“When I came to Ireland, I wanted to meet Irish people and learn about Irish culture but it was very difficult.  The only people I met at my language school and at work were from outside Ireland like me.  These walks have given me the chance to do this as well as helping me improve my English.”  Felip Garzon (Mexico), Dublin 7

Dublin City Council’s community initiative, ‘Let’s Walk & Talk’ is indeed a great way for people to stay healthy, meet people and learn a little something about our Fair City. This initiative comprises weekly walks in various parts of the City, themed historical walking tours and other special events.

To mark European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, a new ‘leg’ to this initiative was launched entitled ‘New Shores, Ancient Footprints’, the purpose of which is to educate Irish people and ‘new’ communities about other cultures that exist in the City.  The first in the series took place on European Neighbours Day in May and focused on the Jewish Community in Dublin.  The event included an historical walking tour of Old Jewish Dublin with Pat Liddy followed by a reception afterwards at Tailors Hall with a panel discussion, the screening of the short film ‘Blind Eye’ and an opportunity for people to sample Jewish culture. It was a huge success by all accounts with almost 250 people turning up despite the damp conditions. Even larger numbers participated in the second and third ‘instalments’ which explored Italian and French Dublin and plans are ‘afoot’ to continue this series into 2010 and beyond.

Let’s Walk and Talk Newsletter - Summer 2013 

Ringsend to Irishtown - Banished outside the City Walls - Thursday, 2nd May at 2.30pm

Meet outside Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Grand Canal Square, Dublin 2
Join Pat Liddy and learn about the colourful history of these two villages where the Irish workers, tradespeople and servants were banished to when the medieval gates of Dublin were closed to them every night lest they murder the English settlers in their beds!  This walk will finish at Irishtown Nature Reserve and also joining us will be Niall Hatch, Development Officer with Birdwatch Ireland who will be highlighting the rich and varied birdlife of the area en route!

Sandymount - A Step above Buttermilk - Thursday, 9th May at 2.30pm

Meet outside Lansdowne Road DART Station, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
When Sandymount started to develop as a seaside resort in the 18th and 19th centuries, its residents were determined to reserve their beach facilities and housing for more upwardly mobile classes than had been frequenting some of the other coastal resorts at the time.  Delve into this area’s historic past with Pat Liddy.

Ballsbridge - Tracks, Bridges and a River - Thursday, 16th May at 2.30pm

Meet outside Sandymount DART Station, Sandymount Avenue, Dublin 4
Hear about the development of Ballsbridge as a key township served by the world’s first suburban railway as well as a road from medieval times and blessed or cursed by a turbulent river. Accompanying Pat Liddy again on this walk will be Niall Hatch for another spot of birdwatching!

Donnybrook - Convents, Communications and Commerce from the Earliest Times - Thursday, 30th May at 2.30pm - Meet at the junction of Donnybrook Road/Marlborough Road/Morehampton Road, Donnybrook, Dublin 4

Donnybrook is a centre dating back over a thousand years owing its origins to a monastic foundation, its closeness to a sustaining river and convenience as a stopover point on an ancient medieval road.  Enjoy a tour with Pat Liddy through the village before finishing at the Church of the Sacred Heart where Ray McGovern will be on hand to give you an insight into history of the church and its wonderful stained glass windows.

The Dawn Chorus - Saturday, 11th May at 4.30am

Meet at the entrance to Herbert Park, Herbert Park, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
Calling all you early birds and nature lovers!  See and hear a host of different birds in the company of Niall Hatch, Development Officer with Birdwatch Ireland for our very first Dawn Chorus event in Herbert Park.

Harold's Cross - From Times Past Until Today - Saturday, 11th of May at 12 noon - Meet in Harold’s Cross Park, Harold’s Cross, Dublin 6W

Absorb the atmosphere of the Harold's Cross Village Community Festival as we take a tour around one of Dublin's most ancient suburbs. Whilst only a small amount of physical evidence remains from the earliest days, the area abounds in stories, curiosities and some striking buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Hinterland Of The Poddle - Saturday, 8th of June at 12 noon

Meet at the entrance to Eamonn Ceannt Park, Sundrive Road, Dublin 12
Take a gentle stroll in the vicinity of Eamonn Ceannt Park and rediscover some of the area’s past heritage and the influence of the forgotten River Poddle.

Cabra - Encompassing A Great History & Heritage - Tuesday, 11th June at 7pm - Meet outside Cabra Library, Navan Road, Dublin 7

Far from being just an urban housing development, Cabra absorbs or adjoins many historic sites, some of which will be explored on this walk.

Jonathan Swift - A Giant In A Then Literary Lilliput - Friday, 14th June at 4pm - Meet at the Bell Tower, Main Square, Trinity College, Dublin 2

Celebrate the tercentenary of Jonathan Swift becoming Dean of St. Patrick’s Cathedral with a tour taking in many places associated with this great man. En route, you'll hear about his work, life and times in a Dublin that was divided by the excesses of wealth and poverty. The tour will conclude at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in time for ‘Swift in his own Words’, the story of Swift’s time at the cathedral told through music, recitals and readings which takes  place as part of the ‘Swift 300’ programme of events. 

Crumlin - The Crooked Glen - Sunday, 7th July at 12 noon - Meet outside the Dublin City Council Area Office, St. Agnes Road, Crumlin Village, Dublin 12

Connect with Crumlin’s rich past and uncover its historic associations which go back thousands of years.

 
The Liberties - An Historic Circle Of Immigration & Emigration - Wednesday, 17th July at 2.30pm

Meet in the grounds of Christchurch Cathedral, Christchurch Place, Dublin 8  
Take a gentle stroll through the Liberties, once the industrial engine of Dublin famous for wool, poplin, brewing and distilling. Their very success eventually caused their demise and the area gradually plunged into decay and poverty only to begin to rise again as a proud and vibrant quarter in its own right. 

 
Ballybough - An Baile Bocht - Thursday, 18th July at 6pm - Meet outside Charleville Mall Library, Charleville Mall, North Strand, Dublin 1

The Poor Town is rich in stories and heritage, much of which will be revealed on this tour.

All of our historical walking tours are led by acclaimed historian, Pat Liddy.

All ‘Let’s Walk & Talk’ events are FREE and no advance booking necessary.

All Walks and Tours usually last about 90 minutes.

And remember…‘Let’s Walk & Talk’ is a great way to stay healthy, meet people and learn a little about our Fair City!

WEEKLY WALKING GROUPS 
Schedule for May to July 2013 

The above walks are led by a dedicated team of volunteers from the community and demonstrate how collaboration between the community and Dublin City Council can produce such positive results. 
 
Note:  Neither Dublin City Council or any of the walk leaders/volunteers can be held responsible for any injury or loss caused to participants on any of the above walks.  In the interest of your own safety, please observe vigilance and care when crossing roads and junctions.  It is advised that you first consult with your doctor if you have a medical condition or are not used to regular exercise. Walks do not take place during times of ice/snow/dangerous weather conditions.