17/09/2015
Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.
Health and Wellbeing Week
Closing Ceremony
Saturday 19 September 2015
Mayor Sarah Holland will officially close the week on Saturday 19 September at 2.00 pm in Corkagh Park Clondalkin by attending the Laurels Charity Crew run in aid of Console. Minister for Justice and Equality Ms. Frances Fitzgerald TD will be in attendance on the day. The run will start and finish at the entrance to Corkagh Park, Clondalkin (St. John’s Estate entrance).There will be family fun activities on the day.
This week has proven to be a great opportunity to demonstrate the power of working in partnership with people to be leaders in looking after their own health.
All the events were booked out in record time which gives South Dublin County Council a great indicator the interest that people have in their health and wellbeing. One of the highlights of the week was the Grandparents Day in Rua Red Arts Centre were 85 older people enjoyed a relaxing morning with Al Porter, a well known Tallaght comedian.
Ms. Teresa Costello, Ambassador for the Week Stated :
“I am proud to be an ambassador for this brilliant initiative, our health is our wealth and I am thrilled to see so many people from our community getting involved, taking advantage of the events on offer and trying something new.
It is a fantastic opportunity to improve the overall wellbeing of our community”
Baby Massage, Get Juicy and the Natural Facial proved to be a popular choice with young mothers. Reiki healing, Tai chi, yoga and stretching classes was the number one choice for the Active Retired. A number of people participated in the Community Garden workshop in Sean Walsh Park, Tallaght. Demonstrations were given by a local horticulturist on winter flowering. Holistic Taster for Disabled Adults was well attended and provided a flavour of holistic treatments such as massage and reflexology.
The idea of Health and Wellbeing has become so important in Irish life today. This was reflected by the number of ambassadors that came forward to be part of the week and become champions for the citizens of South Dublin
Councillor Kenneth Egan
South Dublin County Councillor and Olympian.
Dr Catherine Darker
Health Psychologist and is the Adelaide Assistant Professor of Health Services Research in Trinity College Dublin.
Ruth Scott
Ruth Scott RTE 2fm presenter who has a healthy interest in health.
Brian Higgins
The Chief Executive Officer of Pieta House (Centre for the prevention of self-harm or suicide)
James Reynolds
Irish Transplant Sports team Member.
Teresa Costello
38 year old Breast Cancer survivor, Patient Ambassador for Breast Cancer Ireland.
Aisling Finnegan
Dublin Rose 2015
David Bobbett
Founder of the Irish Heart Disease Awareness charity. It has been established to raise awareness of heart disease as a progressive, measurable and treatable disease that can be detected by a simple calcification test.
Jenny Egan
Irish and International Kayaker.
Jack Woolley
Taekwondo Blackbelt.
Matt Dowling
Representing Tus Nua – the Older Persons Forum in the County.
Darragh Zaidan
International Track Cyclist
Louise Ormsby
Operation Transformation Leader
Graham Gartland
Irish Footballer and Shamrock Rovers Coach
Dr. Catherine Darker said "This is the second year of the South Dublin County Council Health and Wellbeing week. There has been over 70 events, ranging from events for babies to older adults, with a special focus on getting everyone included. The Council has developed a model for other areas in the county to follow, by mapping many of the ambitions of the national policy of Healthy Ireland, locally within South Dublin. It has been my pleasure to be an ambassador for the week and I am already looking forward to seeing this develop further for next year".
South Dublin County Council will endeavour to embrace the guidelines of the Healthy Ireland Framework 2013-2025.This states “The impact of positive social interaction cannot be underestimated. Social Interaction supporting social connectivity and involvement in community life are a keystone to empowering people at individual level and building strong communities for health and wellbeing.”
Contact Person: Billy Coman, Director Housing, Social and Community Development Department
Tel: 01 414 9034 or email bcoman@sdublincoco.ie