Yesterday saw the official launch of South Dublin County’s first Trishaw in Donnder Valley Park.

Cllr. Emma Murphy Mayor of South Dublin and Thos McDermott (SDCSP) with Pilot Alan O’Flaferty and his dad Joseph O’Flaherty at the launch of the Cycle Without Age Trishaw Bike in Dodder Valley Park.

South Dublin County Sports Partnership, in partnership with Age Friendly Ireland, introduce South Dublin County’s first Trishaw at Dodder Valley Park.  The Trishaw, names “Sonas”, will offer older adults and those with mobility issues the opportunity to experience the beauty and sounds of Dodder Valley Park in comfort, at an easy pace all while being cycled around by a pilot volunteer. Cycling Without Age in partnership with Dodder Valley Cycling will manage the day to day of the Trishaw “Sonas,” along with their 30+ dedicated local volunteers who will pilot the Trishaw passengers.

Passenger Joseph O’Flaherty, his son Alan O’Flaferty at the launch of the Cycle Without Age Trishaw Bike in Dodder Valley Park.

Thomas McDermott, South Dublin County Sports Partnership Coordinator said “Our aim is to encourage and support increased activity, and wellness in our communities. We hope introducing the Trishaw will make the outdoors more accessible, inclusive, and enjoyable to all in our community”.

Alan O’Flaherty Chairperson – Dodder Valley Cycling said  “Dodder Valley Park is such a perfect location for a Cycling Without Age chapter. CWA is all about letting older people, and those with mobility issues, experience the joy of a bike ride and just getting out into nature again to feel the wind in the hair. Having a Trishaw in the park really is a dream come true. The volunteer pilots are all looking forward to keeping Sonas the Trishaw busy over the coming months and years! I am so very grateful to everyone who has supported this project along the way to launch, and the list is a long one! Huge thanks to South Dublin County Council for providing the funding through the Active Cities Dublin initiative. I am very grateful to Thomas McDermott in the South Dublin County Sports Partnership for taking my initial call all those months ago and being very positive and encouraging from the outset.”

Cllr. Emma Murphy Mayor of South Dublin and Thos McDermott (SDCSP) with Pilot Alan O’Flaferty, his dad Joseph O’Flaherty and the team of volunteer pilotsat the launch of the Cycle Without Age Trishaw Bike in Dodder Valley Park.

The Trishaw is free to book, and boking slots are now available from the 4^th of March.

Bookings can be made.

• Via the website : Website
• By Email:  bookings@doddervalleycycling.com
• By Text:  ‘info’ to (089) 406 6746

For more information on Cycling without Age and cycling accessibility please visit Cycling Without Age

New LSP Highlights Newsletter Launched

The network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs), supported by Sport Ireland, launched a new online newsletter this week, to showcase some of the great work taking place across the Country to development, promote and support participation in sport and physical activity.

The interactive newsletter, which is the first of a number of initiatives planned, aims to increase the awareness of LSPs and highlight the work being coordinated and delivered at local level. Local Sports Partnerships help people to get active by working with identified partners to remove barriers to sport and physical activity and provide opportunities for all ages and abilities to get active.

The South County Dublin highlights featured our End of Summer Colour Dash, the launch of the our 5th ParkRun in Dodder Valley, as well as highlights from our 2022 summer ParkYoga and Park Fit.

To check out the full LSP newsletter chick HERE

Swim Ireland and Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnership (KRSP) have formally launched the Me, My Child, and The Water resource at the Swim Ireland Swimming Teachers Conference 2023. The resource is aimed at parents and carers of children with disabilities. It will also help swimming teachers to support children in their lessons.

Me, My Child, and the Water was created as a result of feedback received by KRSP from parents and guardians which highlighted the need for appropriate guidance and support in catering for a child with a disability when swimming. The resource, which can assist in supporting multiple age groups, contains useful guidance on things to consider when planning a pool visit, what to expect from swimming lessons and what information swim teachers will find useful to help them best support a child with a disability. The resource also presents CARA’s Tree Model, which is a useful model to use when modifying activities to make them more inclusive and accessible.

‘Swim Ireland are delighted to formally launch the Me, My Child and Water resource in conjunction with our partners for the project, Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnership. Swim Ireland are committed to inclusion and creating an Island of Swimmers and this excellent resource will really benefit parents, guardians, carers and qualified instructors and teachers in planning for swimming pool visits and swimming lessons for children with a disability. It contains simple guidance and steps which can be implemented and make the difference in preparing effectively. Thanks again to all those who contributed to this resource.’Quote: Mary McMorrow, Operations Director, Swim Ireland

‘Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnership have been delivering supported swimming lessons for children with disability for several years now. Following numerous ad hoc conversations with parents and carers of children with disability, we identified the need for a support resource. We feel that this resource will give parents and carers the confidence to bring their children to the swimming pool safely and serve as a guide for simple activities aimed at supplementing swimming lessons and developing a lifelong love of the water.’Quote: Seamus Nugent, Sports Inclusion Development Officer, Kilkenny Recreation & Sports Partnership

Download your copy of the broucher here Swim Ireland Me, My Child and the Water Brochure FINAL