Dominic’s Walking group celebrate third birthday
A LOCAL walking group held their birthday party on Saturday, celebrating three years of bringing the community of Tallaght together to experience the area’s scenic beauty.
St Dominic’s Community Walking group was founded by local woman Jackie Fahy in 2015.
The group walks to a different location each evening, meeting outside of St Dominic’s Church at 7pm sharp, where Jackie makes a call on which trek the group will take.
The group walks to some of the many scenic spots in Tallaght and South County Dublin, including the Tallaght Weir or Tymon Park.
Other trips might include walk around the Bohernabreena Reservoirs or along a stretch of the Dodder River from Rathfarnham to Tallaght, which require a bus trip to the location.
According to Ms Fahy, who knows many of the best local routes, she set up the walking group as a way to ensure locals were able to walk safely in the evenings.
She said: “A lot of people go out walking in the evening. The group was set up for safety, to make people feel secure.”
The group began with six regular walkers but has now expanded to 33.
Saturday’s birthday party in The Old Mill pub had 17 members, a decrease from their Christmas party in December, which Jackie blames on a bout of illness for many members.
Anybody who is over 18 and is interested in taking a stroll after work and seeing the beauty that Tallaght has to offer can meet the group just before 7pm at St Dominic’s Church in Millbrook Lawns, Tallaght.
Jackie said that suitable footwear is key for the moderate to fast walks, with high-vis jackets provided by the group.
