The ever popular ‘Ireland Lights Up’ returns to GAA clubs in January 2024 in partnership with RTE’s Operation Transformation and Get Ireland Walking.

Ireland Lights Up encourages GAA clubs across the 32 counties to light up and bring communities together to walk and talk in a safe environment during the dark winter evenings. As ever, a club participating in Ireland Lights Up will be showcased each week on RTE’s Operation Transformation.

In 2023, over 1000 GAA clubs signed up for Ireland Lights Up helping tens of thousands of participants improve their physical, mental, and social wellbeing. Clubs also recruited over 29,600 walkers to participate in the ‘Every Steps Counts Challenge’ delivered through the ‘MyLife’ app, in partnership with the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs programme. Participants walked over 5,500,000 kms during the five-week challenge.

Registrations for the 2024 ‘Ireland Lights Up’ and ‘Every Step Counts’ MyLife Challenge opens today (click here to register: Ireland Lights Up & Every Step Counts Registration 2024). Ireland Lights Up commences on Wednesday, January 10th, to coincide with the broadcast of the second episode of Operation Transformation on RTE.

Uachtarán CLG, Larry McCarthy, said: “The GAA is delighted to see Ireland Lights Up return in 2024 in partnership with RTE’s Operation Transformation and Get Ireland Walking. It continues to be one of our most popular initiatives and last year we had over one 1,000 clubs take part. The initiative opens our clubs to their communities during the dark winter evenings and provides a safe and social environment while contributing to many health benefits.

“2024 also sees another Irish Life Healthy Clubs Steps Challenge as part of Ireland Lights Up. Through The MyLife App users can monitor their personal steps and health gains, with the added possibility of winning valuable rewards for their clubs. Regardless of participation in Ireland Lights Up, all GAA clubs can get involved in the Steps Challenge”.

Declan Bolger, Irish Life CEO said: “We are delighted to launch the ‘Every Step Counts’ Challenge on our MyLife app in partnership with the GAA and Ireland Lights Up. This launch is even more special as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs and the amazing efforts of the Healthy Club officers. To mark this significant milestone, we are making additional prizes available, incentivising more clubs to get involved and get walking for longer.

"The challenge succeeds in motivating people to exercise together, meet new people and make real improvements to their physical and emotional health. Together, we are increasing health and connection in communities nationwide. Congratulations to the Healthy Club officers and all the participants that track phenomenal steps each year in support of their club and community.”

Get Ireland Walking’s Programme Manager, Jason King, said: “Get Ireland Walking are fully committed to, and honoured to be part of the Ireland Lights Up Campaign with the GAA, Operation Transformation and clubs and communities throughout Ireland. Now in its 6th year, this campaign is very important in our annual events, and we see it as a real opportunity to mobilise communities to walk more often in a safe supported way over the winter months. It’s inclusive, accessible, and a win win for everyone involved”.

To register your club for Ireland Light Up and the MyLife Healthy Clubs Steps Challenge, use the following link: Ireland Lights Up & Every Step Counts Registration 2024

To find out more about MyLife and download the App, use the following link: Health & Wellbeing App – MyLife App by Irish Life

‘Ireland Lights Up’ Additional Info for Clubs:

• Ireland Lights Up will run from January 10, 2024. Participating clubs are asked to host a community walk for up to 6 weeks, for the duration of the Operation Transformation show. Clubs can determine their own schedule depending on volunteer capacity.

• Clubs that complete the registration process for Ireland Lights Up and adhere to the necessary criteria will be covered by Get Ireland Walking's insurance for all walk leaders. Irrespective of GAA membership status, leaders and participants are not covered by the GAA Injury Benefit Fund for this initiative.

• To put an accurate figure on the number of walkers that participate in Ireland Lights Up in 2024, clubs will be asked to report their participant numbers weekly. They will also be considered as host club for the launch of Ireland Lights Up 2025 (which involves a visit from RTE’s Operation Transformation)

‘Every Step Counts Challenge’ Additional Info for Clubs:

• The challenge will commence on the MyLife App on January 8th and run for five weeks until midnight on the 12th of February. Participating clubs will be encouraged to register as many interested club and community members on the App in advance of this. (Any club that registered in 2023 will be auto-enrolled again this year. If already on the MyLife App from previous Steps Challenges, individuals will have to register for the new 2024 challenge on the App.)

• MyLife allows participants and clubs to track their participation in the challenge through regional and national league tables while also measuring the positive impact on their health and wellbeing.

• As ever clubs will be in with a chance to win cash prizes for their club by participating in Every Step Counts challenge.

• All GAA clubs can get involved in the Steps Challenge (irrespective of having a walking track facility) and are automatically registered when they register for ‘Ireland Lights Up’. Participation in the challenge is, of course, at a club’s discretion.

Please direct any Ireland Lights Up queries to stephen.quinn@gaa.ie