Dublin Sportsfest, a week-long celebration of sport and physical activity throughout the City of Dublin will take place from 23rd – 30th September.

The initiative has been created by Dublin City Council and the Dublin City Sport and Wellbeing Partnership and will both create and support a host of events from the Great Dublin Bike Ride on Sunday 23rd through to turning parkrun Blue across the city on Saturday 29th.

There will be events aimed at all ages from young children to older adults and across a wide range of sports.

The FAI will run a girl’s five a side tournament while there will be walking football at Dalymount Stadium, a major fitness led event on Grand Canal Dock, a Lord Mayor’s Paddle down the River Liffey and an event around performance for Transition Year students involving Irish Olympians.

Sport for Business Founder Rob Hartnett is Chair of the Dublin City Sport and Wellbeing Partnership and our Sport for Social Good Half Day Conference featuring the CEO of the Manchester United Foundation will also take place as part of the Sportsfest.

“We wanted to create a focus for sport and getting physical using the many great facilities that we have in Dublin,” said Hartnett.

“It’s all about giving a lift to events that are already taking place and helping to create new ones during a focused period when the weather is still OK and people can find a new way to get themselves and the families moving.”

“There will be yoga in City Hall, special activities at clubs around the city and pretty much something for everyone.”

“There will be Glow Football, a cycling tour of sporting history and so much more.  It’s really exciting to be part of such a widespread programme of activity.”

“This first year is a marker for what we can achieve in years to come as well.  We want all those involved in the delivery of sport and physical activity to look at what is being done and to consider how they can be part of this great series of events in the future.”

Irish hockey players Emily Beatty and Gill Pinder, 2017 Operation Transformation Leader Chris McElligott, Irish International footballer Aine O’Gorman. Irish athletics future stars Rhasidat Adeleke and Sarah Healy as well as former Dublin GAA star Coman Goggins were all present at the launch and have appeared across the media this morning telling their stories of how they first got involved in sport and the impact it has had on their lives.

Dublin Sportsfest is spearheaded by Dublin City Council and Dublin City Sport and Wellbeing Partnership, and is supported by the FAI, Ireland Active, Sport Ireland, Cycling Ireland, Age & Opportunity, parkrun, Junior parkrun, Ballyfermot Youth Service, Swim Ireland, Tennis Ireland, Trinity Sport and the Dublin Institute of Technology – among numerous other national and regional governing bodies and sports clubs.

“Dublin Sportsfest is a great initiative of Dublin City Council and Dublin City Sport and Wellbeing Partnership which encourages the people of Dublin to leave the couch, leave the screens, leave the mobile and get active,” said Lord Mayor of Dublin Nial Ring launching the initiative.

“There is a huge variety of fantastic fitness activities across the City, designed to inspire participation in physical and mental health improvement activities. So let’s all embrace this opportunity and enjoy Dublin Sportsfest – we’ll all be the winners!”

“Dublin City Council is delighted to be able to announce the inaugural Dublin Sportsfest to be hosted during this year’s European Week of Sport,” added Assistant Chief Executive, Dublin City Council, Richard Shakespeare.

“We hope that the event will inspire the people of this incredibly fast-paced city to take a moment away from the hustle and bustle of life and enjoy the activities on offer throughout the week.”

“The inaugural Dublin Sportsfest is a fantastic opportunity to remind everyone of the importance of regular physical activity in improving mental and physical health,” said the Ombudsman for Children, Dr. Niall Muldoon speaking at the launch.

I would encourage people of all ages to get involved when they can across the week and enjoy the wealth of amenities on offer.”

Visit dublincity.ie/sportsfest to see what’s happening across the week of Sept 23rd – 30th.  The list will be continually updated in the run-up to the 23rd and we hope to see you take some part.

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Image Credits: Morgan Treacy, Inpho.ie