The 44th edition of MayFest, the flagship event of Vision Sports Ireland, delivered another inspiring weekend as participants who are blind or vision impaired gathered in Dublin for two days of inclusive sport, activity, and connection.
Held over last Saturday and Sunday, 24th and 25th May, the annual festival took place across University College Dublin and Dún Laoghaire, bringing together people from across the country to celebrate ability, participation, and belonging.
Saturday’s events at UCD saw the campus transformed into a vibrant sporting hub. Attendees had the opportunity to try their hand at a wide range of adapted sports, including golf, tennis, athletics, rowing, cycling, football, swimming, weightlifting, and target shooting.
Two new additions to the lineup for 2025, cricket and orienteering, were welcomed enthusiastically, reflecting MayFest’s commitment to expanding access and choice in sport.
The event also featured a strong educational component.
Organisations such as Active Disability Ireland, Vision Ireland, Féach, the VIP Hub, ATU, and Paralympics Ireland hosted information stands, helping participants connect with wider opportunities in sport, education, and advocacy.
On Saturday evening, the activity shifted to the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire.
A highlight was the launch of the Cullinan Cup, with Seren Jeffs honoured as the inaugural recipient for her achievements in swimming.
Panel discussions around “Men of MayFest” and “Women in Sport” offered powerful personal stories from participants, many of whom spoke of how sport had helped them build confidence, community, and purpose.
“Sport is about so much more than fitness, it’s about belonging,” said one panellist, echoing a core message of the weekend.
The evening concluded with a keynote from Paralympian Conall McNamara, silver medallist at the 2004 Athens Games, who inspired the audience with stories of resilience and determination.
While Sunday’s weather disrupted plans for water activities, participants embraced the change with a scenic walk along Dún Laoghaire harbour, rounding off the weekend with more informal community building.
“MayFest is about forging friendships, creating memories, and showing what’s possible,” said Pádraig Healy, National Sports Development Manager at Vision Sports Ireland.
“We’re incredibly proud to provide a space where people can discover their sporting passions and connect with others.”
Further Reading for Sport for Business members:
Check out Sport for Business coverage of Vision Sports
SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
This is always a brilliant example of inclusive sport in action
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
We are planning for MayFest to feature as part of our Sport for Social Good Conference in October, for details of our upcoming events see below.
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