Get walking next month

If you are one of those people who keep promising themselves that they should get out and walk more regularly, maybe hook up with a walking group, but never get around to it, here is an easy way to kick-start yourself, writes Brian Byrne.

The County Kildare Walking Festival from August 5-17 can be a painless way of getting into the walking scene, and also making new friends in the process. With 12 different guided walks scheduled right across the county, it's an opportunity to also find beauty and heritage close by that you may never have known about.

Each walk will be conducted by a Walk Leader, for whom the Kildare Sports Partnership organisers have been running training courses.

Walk timings range from an hour to and hour and a half, and there are opportunities for morning, afternoon and evening participation.

Locations include Athy's waterways, Kildare Town, Newbridge, the Grand Canal, Carton and Castletown Houses, Donadea and more. The full programme is available here.

The Kildare Sports Partnership is an initiative of the Irish Sports Council in association with Kildare County Council. The Walking Festival is part of the Partnership's 'Get Kildare Walking' programme. Further information is available by phoning 045 980546/7.