History makers in Portlaoise as first ever WOW launched in the town
Community Gardaí Aran Grehan and Ronan Maher pictured with pupils from Gaelscoil Phortlaoise taking part in the Santa Stroll and WOW event. Photo: Rene PR Design
WEDNESDAY 11 December will long be remembered in Portlaoise as pupils and students from 10 local schools took to the streets to launch the first ever Walk on Wednesdays (WOW) initiative.
The historic event marked the first-ever town-wide WOW event ever held in Ireland.
From early that morning the town was transformed from the usual hum of car engines as they gave way to the cheerful chatter of students walking to school.
To coincide with the WOW launch a Santa Stroll was also organised as part of the Portlaoise School Travel Cluster Project.
Students and parents embraced the festive spirit, donning Santa hats, Christmas lights, and tinsel scarves. Bells jingled as a wave of walkers filled the streets, creating a magical and climate-friendly start to the school day.
Community Climate Action Officer at Laois County Council Karen Moore said: “The Santa Stroll was a powerful demonstration of how small changes can have a big impact on our community. Seeing so many families walking together with joy and purpose was truly inspiring.”
Also present to support the event were Travel Officers from An Taisce Green-Schools Michèle Castiaux and Chiara Hanrahan, the Environmental Awareness Officer at Laois County Council Sam McLeod and Community Gardaí Aran Grehan and Ronan Maher.
Following this festive launch, WOW days will continue every Wednesday as part of the Portlaoise Schools Cluster Project which is a two-year initiative supported by Laois County Council Climate Action Section and delivered by Green-Schools Travel.
The program aims to ease traffic congestion, improve air quality, and enhance road safety while promoting physical and mental well-being.
The response from schools was overwhelmingly positive:
Scoil Chriost Rí Green-Schools committee sparked school-wide enthusiasm by launching a WOW competition and recording an informative podcast explaining WOW days.
Portlaoise College had a creative twist to its initiative. Its Green-Schools committee tallied student participation by collecting fingerprints from walkers. The result was a display board filled with student prints celebrating their collective action.
Gaelscoil Phortlaoise reported high participation, with parents joining their children for a walk that turned the local park ‘n’ stride car park into a bustling community hub.
Teachers from the Holy Family Junior School noted a “brilliant morning” with a festive atmosphere that energised students and staff alike.
Principal from Maryborough National School Bríd-Ann Buggie acknowledged the challenge of a wide catchment area but celebrated families who embraced park ‘n’ stride and filled a local retail car park with eager walkers.
The students and pupils who have embraced WOW days are now calling on adults to adopt the same practice for their work commutes. With young people leading the way, Portlaoise is already seeing the benefits of fewer cars, cleaner air and a closer-knit community.
