Sole Sisters stepping out on voyage of rediscovery and fun

A WALKING group with a difference is taking Meath women aged over 40 on adventures they never thought they’d try and along the way, they’re building friendships that are changing lives.

Sole Sister Ramblers, a global movement aimed at empowering women in midlife, arrived in the Royal county just five months ago, and already more than 155 local women have signed up. The group is led by Trim woman Alison Bardini, who says the aim is simple to help women reconnect, have fun, and rediscover themselves.

“It can be a tricky stage of life,” Alison explains. “Your children might have flown the nest, or there’s been a change in your relationship. You’re not meeting people at the school gates anymore, and you’re not socialising the way you used to. That’s when loneliness can creep in and that’s where Sole Sisters steps in.”

The Meath branch meets for everything from gentle Sunday rambles to bracing dips in the sea, and there’s no shortage of laughter along the way. Activities have also included theatre trips, kayaking, and even sauna sessions all designed to bring women together in a supportive, inclusive space.

In recent weeks, Sole Sisters from across Ireland joined forces for a challenge of a different kind, climbing Croagh Patrick. Seventeen women from various county groups made the trek to the summit, swapping encouragement and stories along the way. “The sense of achievement when we all reached the top was incredible,” Alison says. “Moments like that stay with you.”

While the group is about friendship first, there’s also a sense of adventure running through it. Last Saturday saw the first All-Ireland Sole Sisters meet-up, with women from Dublin, Wicklow, Galway, Kildare, Mayo and of course, Meath heading to Phoenix Park for a day of walking and connection.

For Alison, the growth of the local group in such a short time shows just how much the need is there. “It’s not about fitness levels or how far you can walk it’s about turning up, sharing a few hours, and leaving feeling lighter and brighter,” she says. “We’ve had women join who didn’t know a soul in the group, and now they’ve got friends they meet up with outside the walks. That’s the magic of it.”

With summer turning to autumn, the Meath Sole Sisters have no plans to slow down. There are more rambles on the calendar, more theatre nights in the works, and yes more sea swims for the brave.

“Midlife doesn’t mean slowing down,” explains Alison. “It’s about new chapters, new challenges, and saying yes to things you never thought you’d do. And doing it all with a great gang by your side.”

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