Offaly's Longest Day Challenge was a collaborative project between Healthy Ireland, Offaly LCDC and Offaly Sports Partnership which is based on the concept of famous wartime movies about the longest day (typically the 21st June) representing a major turning point and a fight back, a refusal to lie down and accept defeat against the odds.

The challenge was designed to encourage the people of Offaly to get out and get active by setting themselves a physical activity challenge for each of the 20 days in the run up to the longest day, 21st June

Cllr Declan Harvey, chair of the Offaly Local Community Development Committee encouraged as many people as possible to take part in the Longest Day Project challenge. “The LCDC is delighted to be associated with this project”, he said. “This is an opportunity for people of all ages to show that Offaly is getting out and staying healthy and active". He thanked Healthy Ireland and Offaly Sports Partnership for supporting the project.

Eamonn Henry, coordinator of Offaly Sports Partnership encouraged people to consider the Department of Health’s recommended levels of physical activity when setting challenges for themselves and family members. Children and young people need to be active for at least 60 minutes a day while adults need at least 30 minutes a day, five times each week.