“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 - Spring 2012

Click here to download the Spring 2012 edition of Let's Walk and Talk Newsletter

HEADS ABOVE THE PARAPET
Thursday, 8th March at 11am – Meet at Fusiliers’ Arch, St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2. 
Join us on International Women’s Day to hear about many remarkable women from past centuries who against the odds, made notable contributions in the fields of arts and sciences. www.dublincity.ie/internationalwomensday

JAMES JOYCE’S DUBLIN
Monday, 16th April at 2pm – Meet at the statue of James Joyce, North Earl Street, Dublin 1.  The award winning initiative, Dublin: One City, One Book is now in its 7th year and the chosen book for 2012 is James Joyce’s Dubliners.  On this tour we invite you to celebrate the life and times of James Joyce and follow in the footsteps of his most well known characters as we walk the streets and visit the sites against which he staged many of his works. www.dublinonecityonebook.ie
 
All of our historical walking tours are led by acclaimed historian, Pat Liddy.

SEACHTAIN NA GAEILGE
Dé hAoine, 9 Márta @ 11am – Cearnóg Theach an Tionóil, Barra an Teampaill, Baile  Átha Cliath 2. Tar amach lenár ngrúpa Bímis ag Siúl agus ag Caint go dtí an tIonad Spóirt Uisce ag an bPort Thoir (ar an LUAS agus siúl de chois) chun léargas a fháil ar traidisiún ársa an saoirseacht bád. Tá dhá churach le feiceáil anseo, iad tógtha ag meitheal oibre faoi stiúir ag an ealaíontóir Mark Redden. Ar bord libh!
Dé hAoine, 16 Márta @ 11am – Cearnóg Theach an Tionóil, Barra an Teampaill, Baile  Átha Cliath 2.  Bain sult as an seanchas nuair a théann an grúpa Bímis ag Siúl agus ag Caint go dtí an Lantern Cultural Centre, Sráid Synge, áit bheidh Aideen McBride agus Miceál Ross ó Dublin Yarnspinners le riar maith de fhinscéalta agus de bhéaloideas le haithris acu.

Beidh an dá imeacht seo ar siúl le linn Seachtain na Gaeilge. Rithfidh féile na bliana seo ó 5-17 Márta. www.snag.ie
 
All ‘Let’s Walk & Talk’ events are FREE and no advance booking necessary.

All Walks 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 February to April 2012

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 historical interest etc.  These 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.  A couple of the leaders from the Friday ‘French language’ walk have created a new blog so you can keep up to date with their activities by logging onto www.frwalkandtalk.blogspot.com 

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 will not take place during times of ice/snow/dangerous weather conditions.