Slí na Sláinte (Path to Health) is a unique initiative of the Irish Heart Foundation designed to encourage people to get more active and get walking on routes marked out at 1 km intervals. The two new Thurles Slí na Slainte routes will be 4km return in length, suitable for all levels of walker and has been developed with support from Thurles Town Council and in conjunction with North Tipperary County Council and North Tipperary Sports Partnership.


Edel Byrne, Slí na Sláinte National Co-ordinator at the Irish Heart Foundation said: "We hope the people of Thurles will get great enjoyment and benefit from the new Slí na Sláinte routes in the town. Getting active makes such a big difference to your heart and overall health, by helping to reduce high blood pressure, maintain a healthy weight, reduce stress and ease back pain. For heart health, adults need at least 30 minutes of physical activity, such as brisk walking, five days a week. By having a clearly marked and safe walking route, we aim to make it easier for people in Thurles to get active as part of their normal day."

The new Slí na Sláinte will be launched by the unveiling of the Slievenamon Road Slí map board outside the Car Park on the Slievenamon Road at 3:00pm on Thursday, 25th. March, 2010, and followed by a walk along part of the route. The public are invited and encouraged to join in. Leaflets showing the route are currently available in the offices of Thurles Town Council, Slievenamon Road, Thurles. Anyone seeking further information on Slí na Sláinte can contact Edel Byrne, at the Irish Heart Foundation, 4 Clyde Road, Dublin 4, Tel: 01 668-5001 or e-mail: ebyrne@irishheart.ie


The Red route: Slievenamon Road Sli na Sláinte is 2.0 km long (4km return) and starts at Slievenamon Road Car Park. The route continues along Slievenamon Road and then goes straight through the roundabout at Dunnes Stores Shopping Centre onto Clongour. Continue straight out past Thurles Golf Club to the top of the hill (Turtulla Crossroads). At mapboard (end) return along the same route back to Slievenamon Road Car Park.

The Green Route: Racecourse Road Slí na Sláinte is 2.0 km long (4km return) and starts at St Josephs and St Bridgets Church, Bohernanave. The route continues along Bohernanave Road, past Semple Stadium and then turns left at the junction to Castlemeadows. Continue to the Roundabout at Tipperary

Institute and take left onto Racecourse Road. Continue straight out Killinan to the end of the footpath (see Racecourse on right). At mapboard (end) return along the same route back to St. Josephs and St. Bridgets Church.