Community spirit is key with Tipperary’s Sláinte Social group

A Tipperary native is helping to create a community as well as getting some vital movement in with her social club Sláinte Socials.

Founded by Tipperary Town native, Clionadh O’Brien, Sláinte Socials aims to bring people together to chat, get some movement in and support businesses in Tipperary.

Speaking to the Tipperary Star, Clionagh said that the idea was a simple one.

“The idea itself was simple, I said let’s meet up, enjoy some movement, while supporting some local businesses, some local people in the fitness industry, but really at the heart of it was about building a supportive community where people can feel part of something, while reconnecting maybe with old classmates, teammates, people that you might not have met in so long,” Ms O’Brien explained.

“I suppose I always, since I moved back to Tipp, after Covid times I suppose, all I’ve heard is ‘everyone is abroad, sure everyone is in Australia, they’re all gone,’ and I was like ‘no, there is in fact a few people still around’, so I said build it and they will come” she explained.

“I just wanted to foster a safe space and a community for people, just to provide a space to relax, socialise, and a supportive community,” Clionadh said.

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The Sláinte Social group meets on a weekend morning to grab a coffee, take a walk, and focus on meditation, breathwork, as well as hikes, pilates, workouts and more.

“It’s funny, I meet people on the walks and they’ll say to me ‘oh I saw on your Instagram you’re doing x, y and z,’ and you’re like ‘wow, have we not talked since then?’ it’s so funny, we can stay in touch without having to ever speak to each other.

“For the group itself, I wanted to focus on movement and mindfulness, but in a way that’s accessible to everyone, so the group is created for a welcoming environment where people of all ages can come, men, women, young and old, puppies, doggies, bring them with you, and that we can come together and enjoy each other’s company, get to know someone different, I try to pop around and chat to everybody, and it’s brilliant that way, so whether it’s yoga, pilates, or just a simple walk, there’s something for all fitness levels.

“The walking is a great low impact option, and it’s perfect to actually get chatting,” Clionadh said.

“One of the girls who came, she had moved home from Australia and her boyfriend lived in Tipp, and she said ‘but I don’t know anyone’, so I got to know her through another group, a Hyrox, and then it was all about meeting other people, so it’s brilliant,” she said.

Clionadh is a primary school teacher, as well as a personal trainer, and is passionate about bringing people together and teaching them about health and fitness.

“We’re doing taster sessions, so my friend Aoife O’Connell, Balanced by Aoife yoga, she did a taster of a yoga class, we held it in the Canon Hayes Sports Complex, and all the girls were like ‘wow, I love yoga, like I’ve never done it before’, and people don’t want to commit to a block or go to a class that might be too advanced.

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“Then on April 13 we’re hosting pilates with mindfulness and breathwork, so again, it will be accessible, men, women young and old, it’ll be a little bit of something for everyone, and it’s a chance for people to meet the people who are running these classes.

“So Lauren Fanning is running this one, and people can connect with her, chat, we’ll be hosting another one with Danny White doing the Hyrox, so it’s fabulous,” she said.

The Sláinte Social group collaborates with The Gable Coffee Bar in Tipperary Town, who offer discounts on coffees or drinks for group members.

“The Gable Coffee Bar is who I’m collaborating with, Laura and the girls there are fabulous, and they’re only recently opened up in Tipperary Town, and was kind of where the idea came from, we were chatting about the run club in Clonmel, and they stop off at the coffee shop, and I thought ‘bingo, we could do a social group and a coffee’, because it’s nice to just have something in your hand, you’ve a reason to walk into a shop, so a big mention to the guys there.

“She does discounted coffees and treats for anyone if they mention the Sláinte Social group, or just say you’re with Clionadh and she does a discount on the Saturday mornings so it’s great,” Clionadh said.

“More or less every Saturday morning at 10am, you’d really catch me on Instagram on my personal page, it’s @coachclionadh, but I do try and tag the Tipp Town Facebook page, I tag The Gable and I’ll have it on my personal page, so Instagram is probably where people can really keep up to date,” Clionadh said.

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“If there’s events, the events will be ticketed, just for numbers, generally we’d have to have a numbers limit”.

Although just beginning, Clionadh has big plans for Sláinte Socials over the summer months and beyond.

“We’re hoping to have some walks up the Galtees over the summer, we’re already chatting to the guys at Suaimhneas Sauna down in Lahinch, to go on a little trip away, we’re just branching out, seeing how it goes, whether there’s one person there or 100 people there, the walk or the meetup will be going ahead,” she said.

“Working as a primary teacher and I also work as a personal trainer, I see first hand how important connection and community really are, and that brings me so much joy, just seeing people chatting, forming new friendships, new relationships, and enjoying themselves, it doesn't have to be essentially about exercise, mindfulness and community is at the heart of the group,” Clionadh said.

“It’s very simple, just show up. There’s no pressure, there’s no commitment, you don’t have to be there every week, there's no cost unless there’s an external collaborator who’s charging.

“Everyone needs a space to connect, unwind and enjoy Tipp Town in all its glory,” Clionadh concluded.

Sláinte Socials meet every Saturday morning at 10am in Tipperary Town, for the most up to date information about follow Clionadh on Instagram @coachclionadh.