“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 SPRING 2010

WALKING THE HISTORIC LANDS OF THE ROYAL HOSPITAL KILMAINHAM

Wednesday, 24th February at 2pm. Meet outside Kilmainham Gaol, Inchicore Road, Dublin 8. Explore the lands of the former Royal Hospital and uncover some surprising stories as you discover it’s hidden corners.

CINEMA CITY: THIRTEEN SILVER SCREENS

Friday, 26th February at 11am – Meet at the Ambassador, Parnell Square, Dublin 1.  There were once 13 cinemas in the O’Connell Street area and this nostalgic tour traces the sites of some of these great palaces of entertainment from a bygone time. 

This tour is brought to you as part the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival and will conclude at the Central Library, ILAC Centre by 1pm for ‘Music Goes To The Movies’, a recital with James Barry (baritone) and Margot Doherty (piano) featuring songs from hit films like the Wizard of Oz, Singing in the Rain and A Star is Born. 
*Due to limited capacity at the library, advance booking (on 8734333) is essential for the recital.  Dublin City Libraries have lots more on offer in their Spring programme of events so be sure to log onto www.dublincitypubliclibraries.ie to find out more.

 
BÍMIS AG SIÚL AGUS AG CAINT

Dé hAoine, 5 Márta ag 11am – Ag teacht le chéile ag Cearnóg Theach an Tionóil, Barra an Teampaill, BÁC 2.  ‘An tSean Chathair ó Thuaidh’ - Beidh Seosamh Ó Scolaí, (Staraí Áitiúil) i gcuideachta ár ngrúpa ”Bímis ag Siúl agus ag Caint” ag tabhairt cuairt ar an dtaobh ó thuaidh den Life i gceantar stairiúil Mhainistir Mhuire agus áiteanna suimiúla eile, Cill Mhichin agus suíomh Phríosún Newgate ina measc.  Bainfear ceann scríbe amach i Lárleabharlann an ILAC ag 1pm áit a chuirfear seisiún cheoil traidisiúnta i láthair le Mairéad O'Donnell (amhránaí, fidil) agus Danny Moran (amhránaí, giotár).  Tá na himeachtaí seo mar chuid den chlár ag Comhairle Cathrach Bhaile Átha Cliath le haghaidh Seachtain na Gaeilge  www.dublincity.ie/snag
 
Friday, 5th March at 11am – Meet at Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, Dublin 2.  ‘The Old City, Northside’.  Join Seosamh Ó Scolaí (local historian) and our ‘Let’s Walk & Talk’ group for a stroll which will bring you across the Liffey to visit the area of St. Mary’s Abbey and other places of interest including St. Michan’s and the site of Newgate Prison.  This tour will conclude at the Central Library in the ILAC Centre by 1pm, where the library will be hosting a traditional Irish Music session with Mairéad O’Donnell (vocal, fiddle) and Danny Moran (vocal, guitar).  These events form part of Dublin City Council’s programme for Seachtain na Gaeilge.  (Note: In Irish!) www.dublincity.ie/snag

IRISH WOMEN OF WAR & PEACE: 1900-1923

Sunday, 7th March at 12 noon –  Meet at Fusiliers’ Arch, St. Stephens Green (entrance facing Grafton Street), Dublin 2. Join us on the eve of International Women’s Day to learn about many of the women who left their mark on this period of great tumult and change in Irish history. Watch history come alive as some of these historical heroines join us on our walk!    The tour will finish at Liberty Hall Theatre, Eden Quay for Glynis Casson and Anne Marie O’Farrell’s new show, “Dauntless and Daring – Women of the Gael” which tells the stories of five incredibly brave and feisty Irish Women!  This performance, interspersed with songs and the music of the harp is not to be missed!  Both events form part of Dublin City Council’s programme celebrating International Women’s Day. For further details, log onto www.dublincity.ie/InternationalWomensDay/

RATHMINES – A PROUD HISTORY

Saturday, 20th March at 12 noon – Meet at Rathmines Square (in front of Rathmines Swimming Pool).  Enjoy the atmosphere of the Under the Clock Festival and hear some intriguing stories on one of Dublin’s first suburban townships.

HANDEL’S DUBLIN – THEN & NOW

Tuesday, 13th April at 11am.  Meet at Wolfe Tone Park, Mary Street, Dublin 1 (beside Jervis Shopping Centre).  In Handel’s Day is a celebration of music, history and George Frideric Handel, rooted in the anniversary of the 1742 world premiere of Messiah in Temple Bar.  In association with Temple Bar Cultural Trust, we invite you to explore some of the Dublin streets that still echo to the visit of Handel, before enjoying a performance of ‘Messiah on the Street’ by Our Lady’s Choral Society at Fishamble Street at 1pm.  Hallalujah!  www.templebar.ie

WALKS ON THE WILDE SIDE

The Dublin: One City, One Book choice for 2010 is ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ by Oscar Wilde and the programme put together this year by Dublin City Libraries promises to be an exceptional one, even by its usual high standards. During this cornucopia of literary celebration, there will of course be a couple of ‘Let’s Walk & Talk’ tours taking place too  www.dublinonecityonebook.ie Monday, 12th April at 2pm.  Meet at the Superintendent’s Gate/Cuffe Street  entrance to St. Stephens Green (beside junction with Harcourt Street), Dublin 2.  ‘Oscar Wilde and his Celebrity Dublin Family & Associates’ - Hear about those who peopled and influenced the life of Oscar Wilde while he lived in Dublin.  The final stop will be at Pearse Street Library where you’ll have an opportunity to enjoy a short dramatised extract from ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’.  Also, on view at the library for the month of April will be a specially commissioned portrait of Dorian, which will form part of an exhibition about the book. Tuesday, 27th April at 11.30am .  Meet at the entrance to the National Gallery, Merrion Square, Dublin 2.  ‘The Life & Times of Oscar Wilde’ - Visit a number of well known landmarks associated with Oscar Wilde before concluding again at Pearse Street Library where there’ll be even more dramatised extracts from ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ on offer for us.  And to get you in the mood for the tour, there will be a talk by Dr. Jarlath Killeen of T.C.D. entitled ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray – Erotic Innocence?’ at the National Gallery at 10.30am (just prior to us setting off) which will be a perfect opener to the tour.

TWO GREAT GEORGIAN WAYS

Tuesday, 27th April at 7pm.  Meet at The Five Lamps, North Strand, Dublin 1.  Yes, two tours on one day!  This time, we go north of the Liffey to yet again celebrate the Five Lamps Arts Festival and joining us again this year will be members of the National League of the Blind Walking Group and National Council for the Blind of Ireland. 

This walk will take in a couple of great 18th century engineering projects in Dublin; the North Circular Road and the Royal Canal before finishing at Marino College, Connolly House (beside The Five Lamps) where there’ll be an Evening of Music taking place at 9pm. 

Also at 5.30pm, just prior to the walking tour, Maynooth Early Music Ensemble will be performing at the nearby Church of St. Agatha so all in all, a jam packed evening of festivities. The Five Lamps Arts Festival takes place from 22-30 April and details on all events can be found on www.fivelampsarts.ie

Weekly Walking Groups

Our weekly walks are led by a dedicated and dynamic team of volunteers from the community and illustrates how collaboration between the community and Dublin City Council can produce positive and enjoyable outcomes for all.  In 2009, these walks incorporated over 200 visits to places of cultural/historical interest, talks etc.  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.

All of our historical walking tours (except ‘Bímis ag Siúl agus ag Caint’) are led by acclaimed historian, Pat Liddy.

All ‘Let’s Walk & Talk’ events are FREE and no booking necessary (except for ‘Music Goes To The Movies’ recital*)

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!