About
WHAT IS SIUL EILE?
Siul Eile is a social enterprise helping communities come together to form walking programs and challenges using the under-utilised local environment in their own community and to develop a sustainable walking culture in their community.
We build walking programs using quiet country roads, forest paths, tracks and trails.
It is designed for local communities to live quality healthy lives, socialise together and to combat rural isolation.
So far there have been over 70 innovative walking programs organised by Siul Eile attended by almost 5,000 individuals who have walked 200,000kms (the equivalent of walking all around the world 5 times, all in their own community).
These programs have been backboned by the support of over 100 volunteers determined to create a walking culture in their community.
Social Enterprise Mark
We are part of a diverse international network of accredited social enterprises – the Social
Enterprise Mark is an independent guarantee that we put the interests of people & planet
above shareholder gain. We have been externally assessed against sector-agreed criteria
and have proved our commitment to using profits and income to create benefits for society
and the environment.
To find out more, visit www.socialenterprisemark.org.uk/what-the-social-enterprise-markmeans/
OUR AIMS
Modern day rural Ireland has become so fast paced in the last couple of decades that we are fast losing touch with each other. We were once a country that was famous for its “cead mile failte”, nowadays we barely have time for a quick “hi” to each other. In the present-day Information age we are more likely to be aware of what is happening thousands of miles away in a foreign country, than what is happening two miles down the road from us.
There is also history and natural beauty all around us in our communities that is being overlooked for the modern day fascination of the next “big story” that is consumed and forgotten in days as it is replaced by the next story and so on it continues as we live our lives by slowly but surely disconnecting ourselves from the people and environment that is all around us.
Siul Eile believes that it is time to stop and take stock of what really matters to us and believes it is time to reconnect with each other and with our local environment.
We aim to bring life back to communities by energising their people and appreciating the local history and natural beauty that is part of our local community and by extension part of each one of us.
All Siul Eile community walking programs are free and open to all to join at any time.
Siul Eile Walking Programs (Levels): Walk Programme Levels
- Walk In The Park (1) 1. Gentle – Short easy walks, gentle pace
- HowsSheCuttin (2) (2-5km)
- Walking Through The Years (2) 2. Easy – walk at your own pace
- Community Walks (2) (4-7km)
- Ambling & Rambling (4) 3. Progressive – the weekly walks will get
- Step It Up (2,3,4) longer and/or higher
- Couch 2 Mountain Top (2,3,4,5) 4. Moderate – walks require moderate
- Community Hall Crawl (2,3,4,5) walking experience and fitness
- Transformation Walks (2) 5. Challenge – programme builds to a
- On The Clock (2,4) challenge/celebration walk climax
- Walk On The Wild Side (2)
- Siul Eile As Gaeilge (2)
- Night Time Graveyard Tour
- Trails 2 Mountain Top (3,4)
- Walking For Health (1)
- Young At Heart (1)
HOW IT ALL STARTED?
The idea was simple – Let’s go for a walk.
One walk become a walking programme, few participants became a large community, neighbours became friends, hidden roads and places were rediscovered.
Siul Eile was born and moulded on the Social Impact Ireland (formerly BNest) social enterprise incubator program.
It was 2016 and Liam Fleming was the person organising and leading the walks around Clogheen, Co. Tipperary.
Following a successful year of walking and mentorship from Social Impact Ireland, Siul Eile expanded to Clonmel, Co Tipperary in 2017.
OUR WALKS
We have so many beautiful places on our doorstep – fascinating local history and mesmerising natural beauty – all waiting to be rediscovered.
Every community has hidden gems that even many in the locality are unaware of.
Here are some from the Galty Vee Valley where Siul Eile HQ is located.
Bay Lough
Beal Lough is a popular spot for all levels of walkers. Family walkers come in their droves, park in the car park and take the 1km path down to the lake. Those looking for a strenuous test, can cross the road from the car park and take on the Sugarloaf Peak and can go a little further to get to the high point of the Knockmealdowns which is also the highest point in Co.Waterford. Beal Lough turns into a purple wonderland towards the end of May/start of June as the Rhododendrons come out in full bloom and turn the whole valley into a spectacular natural explosion of colour
Mountain Lodge, Glengarra Woods
Viscount Lismore erected a lodge, known as the Mountain Lodge during the nineteenth century. This stunning hunting and fishing lodge is sited in a beautiful location. It is currently being restored through the efforts of the local Burncourt community.
Galtymore Mountains
Galtymore is a 919 m (3015 ft) mountain on the border between counties Limerick and Tipperary. It is the highest of the Galty Mountains and the 14th highest peak in Ireland. Galtymore is notable in that it is the tallest inland mountain in Ireland.
Glengarra Woods
There are two waymarked walking trails in these woods. The Loop Walk (2 kms) is a great introduction to Glengarra for all ages, taking in some of the magnificent specimen trees around the car park, crossing the Burncourt river and into a beautiful stand of Scot’s Pine, our native conifer species. The longer Millennium Trail (7 kms) is particularly beautiful and has many interesting features, including old forest tracks, an enclosed exotic rhododendron canopy, the Mountain Lodge, Galty views, Knockmealdown views and the Burncourt River.
DuckPonds, Kildanogue
Wildlife sanctuary with boardwalks all around the ponds. Witness wildlife from the observation deck, where Mallards can be seen splashing playfully. Or take in the tranquility at seating areas on your walk along winding paths, over small bridges and along boardwalks.
Knockshanahullion
A 3km hike brings you to the top of Knockshanahullion where there is panoramic views of the Galty Vee Valley to the north and Dungarvan harbour to the south. Also views of the numerous mountains including the Galtees, Slievenamon, the Comeraghs, Knockmealdowns and Ballyhouras.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
MEET THE TEAM
The volunteers run the show with regard to Siul Eile walking programs. Our walks simply wouldn’t be possible without their help! Next time you are on a Siul Eile walk, lookout for the volunteers and give them your thanks. It is recommended that EVERYONE volunteer on a walk at least 3 times a year. You can put your name down after your next walk and all training will be provided.
Liam Fleming
CEO
Lifestyle coach and father-of-five Liam Fleming is the founder of Siul Eile, a walking group in Co Tipperary:
“There are lots of walking routes in Clogheen but there was a time when I wouldn’t meet anyone while I was out on my walk. That’s what triggered it for me. I thought, ‘Why aren’t the local people out here? These tracks are literally on their doorsteps.’ It drove me to get the group up and running.”
IN THE PRESS
📰 Irish Independent – 14 January 2018
Walk the talk – this year’s big fitness trend
📰 Irish Country Living – 15 December 2017
It takes a village: Christmas and community spirit is alive in Clogheen
📰 The Irish Times – 14 December 2017
Siúl Eile walking scheme a pathway to tackling rural isolation
📰 The Irish Times – 23 November 2017
New incubator helps social entrepreneurs nurture start-ups
📰 Irish Country Living – 19 October 2017
Rural tourism on the up and up
KEEP UP TO DATE
CONTACT US
If you are interested in setting up your own Siul Eile walking programme, would like to join us for a walk or simply get some more information – drop us a line!
Partners & supporters:
