“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 2012

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

HAROLD’S CROSS: PRE-HISTORY TO PROUD SUBURB 

Sunday, 13^th May at 12 noon.  Meet at the entrance to Mount Argus Church, Lower Kimmage Road, Dublin 6W. 
Hear about this area’s intriguing history as you pass by the Poddle River, Kenilworth Square, Mount Jerome Cemetery and a number of other interesting sites before finishing at Harold’s Cross Park in time for the Harold’s Cross Village Community Festival Family Day!  

DRIMNAGH: THE RIDGED LANDS 

Saturday, 26th May at 12 noon.  Meet at Drimnagh LUAS Station, Davitt Road, Dublin 12. 
Absorb the atmosphere of the Drimnagh Community Festival as you take a tour uncovering  Drimnagh’s ancient history, concluding with a visit to Drimnagh Castle, one of the most important legacies of its kind in Ireland.

WALKING WITH BRAM STOKER & HIS COUNT DRACULA 

Wednesday, 4^th July at 5pm – Meet at Barnardos Square (beside City Hall), Dame Street, Dublin 2. 
2012 is the centenary of the death of Dubliner, Bram Stoker.  Expect to hear some chilling extracts from his most famous work, Dracula as Pat Liddy leads you through the streets, courtyards, laneways and hidden steps of the former Medieval Quarter and join us afterwards at St. Patrick’s Cathedral for Gothic Readings and Atmospheric Music.

THE LIBERTIES: DUBLIN’S EARLIEST TAX INCENTIVE AREA!

Wednesday, 18^th July at 2pm – Meet at St. Patrick's Park, Patrick’s Street, Dublin 8.
This walk will take in areas of the Medieval Liberties which in the 17th century evolved into an economic miracle only to collapse dramatically in the 18th century, plunging the Liberties into near destitution.  This event takes place as part of the Liberties Festival.

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
May – July 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. 

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.  Some members of  the ‘French language’ walk on Fridays have set up a blog outlining their activities, you can follow it on www.frwalkandtalk.blogspot.com