Taoiseach helps Tyrrelstown Parkrun get off to a flying start!

Dublin People 22 Sep 2018

And they’re off! The Parkrun gets underway. PHOTOS: ORLA MURRAY/ SON PHOTO

THE new Tyrrelstown Parkrun got off to a flying start on Saturday September 15 with 133 runners, walkers ad joggers, including Taoiseach Leo Varadkar taking part.

Acting Mayor of Fingal Cllr Eithne Loftus (FG) and Niall McGuirk, Senior Sports Development Officer with Fingal County Council, got proceedings underway.

Cllr Paul Donnelly (SF) and Cllr Mary McCamley (Lab) were also among the enthusiastic participants of all ages.

Huge congratulations are due to all the volunteers who worked with Fingal County Council and Parkrun Ireland to make the event a great success.

Another great cause of celebration was that the event marked the 100th Parkrun in Ireland, and by coincidence the very first Parkrun was also in Fingal, at Malahide Castle in 2012.

“Fingal’s sports office are delighted to see such a successful start to another Parkrun in Fingal,” said Niall McGuirk, Senior Sports Development Officer at Fingal County Council.

“We have over 50 schools involved in our Fingal Athletics League and 3,000 kids taking part in our MarathonKids programme so Parkrun provides an opportunity for these kids and their families to get out every weekend and take part in a free, timed 5K run or walk.”

Matt Shields of Parkrun Ireland said his organisation has an excellent relationship with Fingal County Council.

“We all have a shared vision of people using public spaces for public benefit and we each have contributed to making this happen,” he added.

“Ten of the 100 Parkrun events in Ireland are hosted by Fingal County Council, which translated into 926 participants in the 5k events and 191 participants at junior events last weekend.

“Fingal is an excellent example of what can be achieved by working together."

The Tyrrelstown Parkrun now takes place at 9.30am every Saturday morning at Tyrrelstown Park where locals can walk, jog or run and have a great fun morning with the local community.

You can find details of this and all Parkruns across the Northside at www.parkrun.ie.