Laois chosen to host RTÉ1 Operation Transformation 2023

Lovely Laois and local people are set to be showcased weekly for two months on RTÉ1 television, in a hugely popular healthy lifestyle series.

This year, RTÉ’S popular TV series Operation Transformation will make Laois it’s home.

The stunning setting of the Malt House Stradbally will be the studio base for the series, and it will also be the location where the experts have their weekly face to face meeting with the Leaders.

Laois County Council has congratulated the SVT (Stradbally, Vicarstown and Timahoe) Activity & Wellness Hub on securing the production location.

Below: a tennis event by SVT Activity and Wellness Hub. Photo: Michael Scully

Kathleen Sheridan is a member of the SVT Activity and Wellness Hub.

"We are all so thrilled to welcome Operation Transformation to lovely Laois. We, in the SVT Activity and Wellness Hub, along with Laois County Council, have been working really hard over the last few months to secure Stradbally as the perfect location for the series.

"We are looking forward to showcasing our wonderful communities, along with their fantastic clubs, teams, organisations and of course all the activities that go on in the Parish. Watch out for plenty of familiar faces and places and on Operation Transformation in the new year."                                                                                   

On Wednesday January 4th, 2023, Operation Transformation will begin its 16th series RTE One at 21.35. 

Over eight weeks, five ordinary people will share their journey for better health and wellbeing with the nation and invite others to follow them as they do the Operation Transformation Food and Fitness Plan.

The series encourages active participation from the Ad Break Challenge, where people do a physical exercise for the duration of the commercial breaks in the show to Ireland Lights Up, the initiative with the GAA where local clubs turn on their floodlights so their communities can walk safely together on winter nights.

Filming in Laois will start even sooner.

On Thursday, December 1 ‘GAA Ireland Lights Up’ will be filmed in Stradbally GAA, to later feature in episode 1.  The first Ad Break Challenge Stradbally will be filmed on the 29th December - this will also feature in episode one.

The first episode will transmit on RTE One on Wednesday, January 4 2023 at 21.35 and will run every Wednesday for eight weeks.

Two of the show's experts live in the same town in Laois, Psychologist Dr Eddie Murphy and GP Dr Sumi Dunne both work and lives in Portarlington.

“It’s fantastic to have OT in Laois.  Over the years the people of Laois have followed and supported OT in so many ways, it is lovely for me to now represent Laois in Laois,” Dr Sumi said.

The team need help! They are looking for a lively character living in Laois who takes great pride in the hard work they put into keeping their house clean, for a science experiment on just how much energy housework requires.

Professor Niall Moyna and his team of PhD students will track the movements of this individual using scientific equipment as they do all the usual bits around the house in an effort to accurately convey just how much of a benefit they are getting from this hard work. 

The individual can be of any gender and background, living in Laois and are passionate about their housework! Anyone who is interested or has someone in mind or would like to get more information can contact (Rob) on 0877733439.

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Donal Brennan is Director of Services with Laois County Council.

“Laois County Council are delighted that Laois has been selected as the location for Operation Transformation 2023.  It will provide a unique opportunity to highlight the wonderful facilities, organisations and local 'heroes' that we have in the county. 

“We congratulate SVT Activity & Wellness Hub on their endeavours to secure the production location and we look forward to supporting them with and the production team,” he said.