“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 last year, 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 & Talk Newsletter Summer 2010

MAY

CRUMLIN: THE CROOKED GLEN

Thursday, 27^th May at 2pm.  Meet at Dublin City Council’s Crumlin Area Office, 13 Crumlin Village, Dublin 12.  Considered by many to be a comparatively recent suburb, Crumlin has a much longer history waiting to be told! 

FINGLAS: AN HISTORIC & CONNECTED PLACE

Friday, 28^th May at 11am.  Meet at Finglas Civic Centre, Mellowes Road, Finglas, Dublin 11.  Join Pat Liddy as he explores some ancient sites in Finglas and traces their overseas connections.

CABRA: ANCIENT MOORLANDS OF DUBLIN

Monday, 31^st May at 12 noon.  Meet at Naomh Fionnbarra GAA Club, Faussagh Avenue, Cabra, Dublin 7.  Enjoy a tour of a mid 20th century suburb rich in history, boasting institutions, railways and a canal.

The three tours above are brought to you as part of Dublin City Council’s Bealtaine and Neighbours’ Day programmes of events. www.dublincity.ie

JUNE

BALLYMUN: FROM RURAL LANDSCAPES TO MODERN CITYSCAPES

Tuesday, 8^th June 2010 at 7pm.  Meet at Ballymun Civic Centre, Main Street, Ballymun, Dublin 13.  This tour examines Ballymun and it’s neighbours through the lens of its past and the changes which have taken place over time.  This event is being organised in partnership with Active Living Ballymun.

CHERRY ORCHARD: UNCOVERING A RICH PAST

Monday, 14^th June at 11am.  Meet at Orchard Community Centre, Cherry Orchard Grove, Cherry Orchard, Dublin 10.  There are layers of history in the Cherry Orchard area and our walk will attempt to uncover some of these layers and find out not only about their past, but their relevance in the 21st century.  This event is being run as part of Cherry Orchard: Reeling in the Years which celebrates the area’s heritage and history.

JULY

CHAPELIZOD: STORIES OF DOLMENS, KNIGHTS

AND A GHOSTLY WRITER

Sunday, 4^th July at 2pm.  Meet at the Parkgate Street entrance to the Phoenix Park, Dublin 7.  The story of Chapelizod stretches back from the modern era to the time of myths and legends.  Take in the Phoenix Park and one of Ireland’s oldest remnants, an ancient and mysterious dolmen before concluding in Chapelizod in time to catch the opening of the Chapelizod Community Festival in the village square.  www.chapelizodfestival.com

NORTH WALL AREA: 19TH TO 21ST CENTURY

Thursday, 8^th July at 3pm.  Meet at the Luas Stop, Connolly Station, Dublin 1.  Once heralded as a pivotal economic centre during the 19^th century, this area suffered a fall from economic grace in the 20^th century before being restored to its former glory as one of Dublin’s most vibrant quarters.  Absorb the atmosphere of the North Wall Festival as you visit places where old meets new.

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

The ‘weekly walks’ are simply leisurely walks in the community, not historical walking tours.  However from time to time they do incorporate visits to places of cultural/historical interest, talks etc.  

Many thanks as always to our team of community volunteers who lead the above ‘weekly walks’ and truly demonstrate the benefits to be gained from meaningful collaboration between Dublin City Council and the wider community.  Three of the leaders from our Thursday walk have recently left Ireland and we would like to thank Ann Marie, Emily & Katie for all their help over the past 2 years and wish them every success in the future.  If you would like to help out at these walks, please let us know!  Dublin City Council can also sponsor you to do some training if you wish to become a walk leader.

Note: Neither Dublin City Council or any of the Walk Leaders can be held responsible for any injury or loss caused to participants in 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.