Westmeath front and centre in Operation Transformation
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Karen Gaffney and her son Sean, were in Castlepollard last Friday evening, January 12, to greet the motivation trainer and inspiration Karl Henry, and the Operation Transformation roving outside broadcast unit.Image 2 of 2
Karl Henry, with Rob Smyth, a member of the Operation Transformation backroom team, on the green of Castlepollard’s Square last Friday evening.A number of locations around Westmeath have provided the backdrop to the new season of Operation Transformation airing this month.
The health check HQ is this year located at St James Hall in Kilbeggan and it's where contestants receive their weekly updates.
In episode one, which aired on January 3, host Kathryn Thomas described the county as “the centre of Ireland’s hidden heartlands”.
During the show, they paid a visit to Kilbeggan local couple Gus and Rose Keegan who were described as the perfect example of how to keep in shape into old age.
The pair go walking every day and have meals delivered to their door by the South Westmeath Employment Education & Training Services (SWEETS) group.
Group member Liam Daly told the show they do this to ensure “people can live longer in their own homes knowing they can receive a nutritional meal every day”.
Dancezone in Moate featured predominantly in episode two of Operation Transformation which aired last Wednesday, January 10.
Director and choreographer Sandra Julian said dancing provides “a great opportunity for exercise which give us energy and joy”.
Tyrrellspass GAA club also featured on episode two.
The club's pitch development chairperson Kay Slevin said they were “absolutely delighted” to have the show down to film with them.
“There’s been such excitement here all week, it’s all people have been talking about in the shops and local area,” she said.
This year’s season of Operation Transformation is run in partnership with Westmeath County Council.
On Friday evening, Operation Transformation’s fitness expert Karl Henry visited Castlepollard to film this week's Ad Break Challenge with more locations around the county expected to be used in future episodes.