First year BBs (Hons) in Recreation and Sport Management were challenged with organising a Parkrun event as Gaeilge at the SETU Arena as part of their communications module this semester.
‘#Parkrunabú! le SETU’, held on Saturday, 16 November, drew an energetic crowd of over 160 people to the SETU Arena to participate in the five kilometre run, walk or jog.
This free event brought together physical activity and the use of the Irish language. It was an opportunity for participants of all ages to get active while giving Irish a go, whether they were fluent as Gaeilge or had a cúpla focal.
Recreation and Sport Management first year students Harry Thompson and Seán De Paor delivered the global Parkrun script as Gaeilge. They thanked the family members of SETU students, staff, graduates and the wider community for attending. Student and World Irish Dancer Molly O'Shea entertained the crowd as she danced a 'Meanghrad Reel'.
Parkrun is a global initiative where communities come together to run, jog or walk five kilometres together. Once registered with Parkrun, members can enter any event around world. As a result of ‘#Parkrunabú le SETU’, students have now joined this global Parkrun community, which promotes keeping active for your mental and physical wellbeing.
After the run, students, participants and volunteers gathered for refreshments and a traditional Irish music performance. Fourth year BA (Hons) in Music student Laura Neville performed ‘In Memory of the Master’ on the harp in remembrance of the late Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, who opened SETU Arena in 2011. He was the voice of Irish sport commentary for 72 years in Ireland.
Jacinta Greene Beatty, lecturer in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities guided students through the event organisation project. She noted that students “gained valuable experience that will benefit them in their future career.”
Special thanks to the following organisations that SETU students collaborated with to make the event a success: Waterford Sports Partnership, Parkrun, An t-Oireachtais, SETU Novus, WLR FM, Foras na Gaeilge, An Garda Síochána and Brownes Photography.
