IN PICTURES: Laois Operation Transformation team enjoy exciting finale

The exciting final of RTÉ's Operation Transformation series, proudly hosted in Laois this year, is about to arrive.

The SVT Activity and Wellness Hub supporters and friends were busy last weekend wrapping up a busy couple of months with Operation Transformation.

A Stradbally and Vicarstown contingent travelled up to the Phoneix Park on Saturday February 18 to join this year's leaders, experts, celebrities and a 5,000 strong crowd for the annual Operation Transformation 5k.

Then on Sunday evening the OT season grand finale was filmed in front of a live studio audience in RTÉ, and it will air this Wednesday night when the transformed leaders including Laois mother of three Andrea will strut the catwalk.

Read more below these great photos. 

Below: Shona Phelan, Esther Luttrell, Valerie Sheehy, Kathleen Sheridan, Susanne Scully, Anne Buggie, Ann Simpson, and Marie Kinsella at the OT season finale in RTE.

Kathleen Sheridan is PRO of the SVT hub.

“It was a fantastic event and a great atmosphere and it was wonderful to be part of it. Paddy McLoughlin the Vicarstowns Ad Break Hero was in the top 10 of finishers, and his three daughters Katie, Eliza and Della were not far behind him. For everyone else it was great just to be there and run the 5k and take in the atmosphere,” she said.

The Laois members in the audience included a group of ladies who had rowed in with many of the OT events over the last 8 weeks, along with Ann Marie Maher, Laois County Council Sports Officer and Emma O'Connor of Healthy Ireland Laois, Kathleen Sheridan and Ann Simpson of SVT donned the glad rags and headed off for Montrose for the evening as VIP guests of OT.

“It was a fantastic evening and it was great to meet all the leaders and their families as well as Kathryn Thomas and the panel of experts," Kathleen said.

Bringing Operation Transformation to Laois was a resounding success.

“The production company Vision Independent Productions who make OT were blown away by the reception and warm welcome that they received not only in Stradbally, Vicarstown, Timahoe and Ratheniska but all over the county of Laois.

“They and have extended their appreciation and thanks to all who sponsored, helped and participated in any way in the making of Operation Transformation 2023.”

“We in the SVT have loved hosting the show this year in the parish. We can only thank and complement the show’s producers on their portrayal of Stradbally, Vicarstown and Timahoe and all of the surrounding areas as vibrant, energetic, active and welcoming community’s full of extraordinary, generous and talented people, clubs and businesses," the volunteer group said.

They say that from a tourism perspective, the showcasing of Laois amenities, activities and scenic areas is "priceless".

“From The Barrow Blueway and Grand Canal at Vicarstown to the Rock of Dunamaise, to Oughaval and Carrigmeal Woods and The Round Tower in Timahoe. With activities like walking, running, hiking, cycling, canoe and kayaking the message has come  across loud and clear, Stradbally is a great place to visit, and not just on Picnic weekend,” said Kathleen.

The SVT hub is not sitting back for long now that the cameras have gone.

The SVT /Stradbally GAA Couch to 5k which ran in parallel during Operation Transformation is nearing a successful endpoint. Participants are encouraged to keep going and register and participate in the Vicarstown weekend fun Parkruns.

The SVT are also supporting Oughaval AC this weekend who are hosting the Leinster B Championships and mixed Relays at Stradbally Hall on Saturday February 25.

Volunteers are required for stewarding, car parking setup and cleanup. To offer a few spare hours help, call Elaine 087 4190178.

Meanwhile the Vicarstown Parkrun and Junior Parkrun 5km continue every Saturday and Sunday in Vicarstown on the Barrow Blueway.

The SVT welcome more volunteers, whether at committee level or by helping or participating in events. Get in touch with Ann Simpson.

The Season Finale of Operation Transformation 2023 airs this Wednesday night after the 9 O'clock news on RTE 1.