Over 5000 people visited the Sport Ireland Campus in Blanchardstown on Sunday to experience over 40 different sports at the #BeActive Festival.
Part of European Week of Sport 2023 which runs from the 23rd – 30th of September, the #BeActive Festival introduces people to a wide variety of sports that they may not have experienced before such as Archery, Weight Lifting, Fencing and more.
The event provides opportunities for families of all ages and abilities to trial the world-class facilities at the Sport Ireland Campus and to ‘Find Your Sport’ with over 40 different sports and activities showcased throughout the day.
Attendees met well-known athletes from Irish sport, and got to lift some of Ireland’s most famous silverware like Sam Maguire, the 6 Nations Rugby Championship Trophy and the League of Ireland Trophy.
Irish Paralympic Swimmer, Ellen Keane, Irish Olympian Swimmer, Ellen Walshe, Nadia Power, 800 metre Olympian, 7s rugby players Billy Dardis, Amee-Leigh Murphy, and Badminton World Champion Sophia Noble and many more were in attendance.
The festival included skill challenges, demonstrations, sports personality appearances, taster sessions, trophy zone, food village, music and more.
The BeActive Festival is a European Commission led initiative funded by Sport Ireland as part of European Week of Sport, which aims to increase the level of participation in sport and physical activity in the EU.
The week is for everyone, regardless of age, background, or fitness level. By bringing awareness to the fact that an active lifestyle is for everyone, European Week of Sport aims to act as a springboard in to being more active.
“Sport has the unique ability to bring people of all ages and abilities together,” said Sport Ireland CEO Dr Una May.
“It’s fantastic to see so many people at the BeActive Festival enjoying the facilities and sampling some sports they may have never tried before.”
“European Week of Sport and the #BeActive Festival are brilliant initiatives which bring people from all backgrounds together to try out a range of different sports and activities in the unique surroundings of the Sport Ireland Campus, demonstrating that this truly is a campus for all.Added Ellen Keane.
“We hope the BeActive Festival will help to inspire the next generation of Irish stars and foster a lifelong love of sport and show them they are always welcome here at the Sport Ireland Campus, the Home of Irish Sport,” said Sport Ireland Campus CEO Michael Murray.
