Living & Loving an active lifestyle in County Laois
Engaging in regular physical activity helps with your overall physical health and mental health. It releases chemicals in your brain that have a positive effect on your mood and body. It’s easier than you think to to get active and to be active regularly. Being active does not require fancy gym equipment. It doesn't take huge changes.
According to the Health Service Executive (HSE), being physically active can reduce your chances of developing a long-term condition by up to 50%. It can reduce the risk of premature death by 20% to 30%.
Adults should be active for at least 30 minutes a day of moderate activity on 5 days a week, or at least 2 hours and 30 minutes per week.
People aged 50+ are advised to focus on:
aerobic activity
strengthening your muscles
balance exercises
Start small and keep moving, whatever your age or ability. You’ll feel better and have more energy.
You can find a suite videos that guide you through a selection of different exercises on the HSE website here.
We have created a list of activities that you can implement into your day-to-day life at Heritage Village. Each grouping specifically focuses on different elements of active lifestyle; Wellness & Recovery Lifestyle, Outdoor & Adventure Lifestyle and Community Lifestyle. You can choose to implement as many activities from these lists as suits your wellness routine and get to know your new neighbours through the more social, community-led lifestyle activities!
Wellness & Recovery Lifestyle
Morning mobility/stretch sessions
Indoor swimming
Sauna & steam room recovery
Yoga and guided breathing classes
Walking groups on the 5km trail
Recipe swaps
Spa treatments and massage therapy
Meditation mornings
Neighbourhood coffee mornings
A wellness and recovery lifestyle is ideal for slow mornings, thoughtful exercises and easy daily movement. Incorporating yoga and morning meditation sessions into your routine will set you up for the day, no matter what it brings.
Gather a group of friends and select a morning during the week to head out on the 5km walking track around the village. Walking with friends is both good for the brain but it also provides you with motivation and the feeling that you are holding yourself and others accountable for the weekly wellbeing walks!
In The Heritage Leisure Centre, they run an Aqua Fit session in the 15m swimming pool, which takes place from 10:30am - 11:15am on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays. The full timetable can be found here.
Treat yourself to a relaxing massage at The Heritage Spa. With 14 treatment rooms and a variety of immersive experiences including: Relaxation Room, Tepidarium, Caldarium, Salt Room, Foot Baths and Moroccan Experience, walk in and float out after a calming day spent in The Heritage. Learn more
The community building is the heart of the village and the shared space makes it easy to feel part of the warm, welcoming independent community. Whether you decide to take part in classes in the community hub or enjoy your slow mornings in the comfort of your own home, it’s completely up to you.
Foster new friendships by bringing the community together at neighbourhood-led social events. Host a coffee morning, fundraise for charity with a bake-off or host a pot-luck and share your favourite recipes with your new friends.
Outdoor & Adventure Lifestyle
Cycling groups
Slieve Bloom hiking trips
Birdwatching mornings
Golf practice sessions
Fishing excursions
Photography walks
Nature conservation volunteering
Canoeing day trips
Weekend coastal excursions
An outdoorsy and adventurous lifestyle suits people who can’t lie idle and love seeing and experiencing new things. Heritage Village is connected, convenient and calm, the location is a perfect base for exploring the vast Irish countryside. Located 5 km north of Killenard is Portarlington - your local transport hub with links to counties Waterford, Dublin, Galway and Limerick.
Hop on a train to Galway and discover the Wild Atlantic Way or take a day trip to Dublin and explore the city from a new angle with HQ2O Watersports. They are an urban outdoor water sports destination on the River Liffey, providing visitors with a memorable experience along the Dublin Docklands aboard a kayak, canoe or hydrobike!
Plan your hike at Slieve Bloom website, where you can also find information about biking trails, loop walks, upcoming walking group excursions, things to do and see around the Laois/Offaly border and explore the quaint towns and villages that are dotted around the mountainous pathways that date back centuries!
The Slieve Bloom, along with the Massif Central in France, are the oldest mountains in Europe; they once were the highest at an eye-watering 3,700m but weathering has reduced them to 527m.
If you’re interested in giving back to the community, check out the national database for volunteering opportunities at Volunteer.ie. Volunteer Ireland is the national organisation that promotes, supports and advocates for volunteering in Ireland.You can choosefrom a variety of different activities including; Animal Fostering, Conservation, Stewarding, Coaching and there is also opportunity for you to give your professional input in areas such as; Advocacy, Counselling, First Aid, Support Learning and Youth Work.
Enjoy a weekend along the Copper Coast with your pals, take the train down to Waterford and explore 460 million years of history and heritage before your eyes. The Copper Coast gets its name from the copper mines that existed there in the 19th century. The UNESCO recognised geopark includes 25 km of vast coastline with great beaches at Annestown and Woodstown. Bring some binoculars with you and keep an eye (and ear out) for the beautiful birds that call the Copper Coast ‘home’ including the Chough, Fulmar, Gannet, Herring Gull, Kestrel, Grey Heron and Mute Swan.
Community Lifestyle
Golf socials and tournaments
Dance and movement classes
Community quiz nights
Group fitness classes
Cinema and documentary evenings
Resident-led clubs (books, cards, music)
Bistro lunches and themed dinners
Seasonal festivals and community events
Foster new relationships and become part of the vibrant new community at Heritage Village. Meet people from all walks of life and bond over shared interests and experiences in the community hub.
Get a group together for regular golf socials and friendly tournaments on the fairways of the Seve Ballesteros Championship course at The Heritage Resort. Golf friendlies create opportunities for both seasoned players and beginners to connect, compete, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Heritage Village. It is as much about the fun that you have with your pals than it is about the game!
Sit back, relax, and gather your friends to enjoy a selection of fan-favourite films or thought-provoking documentaries on regular cinema evenings. Discover new stories, engage in discussions with your fellow residents and share in a moment of appreciation of entertainment and culture.
As the community grows, residents are welcome to establish clubs and groups centred around shared hobbies such as reading, music, cards, arts and crafts, or other passions. Resident-led activities can help shape the unique character of the village.
Through a range of wellness, adventurous, and community-focused opportunities, residents can look forward to becoming part of a vibrant and welcoming community in the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East.
