Kinsale foodies take health to heart

Eoin English

The people of Kinsale, Co Cork, will soon see special healthy option choices on the menus of local restaurants as part of the town’s new Healthy Options Project (HOP).

Organised walks and the promotion of physical activity through play in primary schools also form part of the project. Dingle, Co Kerry, adopted a similar project last year, which is designed to promote heart health across the community.

Full details will be launched at a public meeting in Kinsale tomorrow.

The project was developed over the past few months by a committee made up of representatives from the local community.

It includes members of Kinsale District Lions Club, Altrusa, the Kinsale Active Retirement Group, representatives of the local primary schools and members of the Health Service Executive (HSE) Southern Area, who provided HOP funding.

“I think we’re all aware that modern lifestyles have become less active,” the Lions Club’s Fred Tracey said.

“We drive everywhere, we eat more fast food, but this is a project to try and get health awareness back on the agenda.”

Three local businesses, which developed health promotion initiatives in their workplaces, will be presented with special awards by the HSE’s Health Promotion Department at the meeting.

Awards will also be presented to the winners of the HOP logo competition.

Everyone living and working in the Kinsale area is invited to attend the meeting in the Trident Hotel at 7.30pm.