Dublin City Council and North East Inner City launch SWELLFEST

Dublin City Council and the North East Inner City Initiative (NEIC) are have announced the return of SWELLFEST this September 14^th, taking place in the iconic surrounds of Mountjoy Square Park from 11am – 6pm. 

Following on from a hugely successful event last year, this year’s offering promises to be even bigger and better as it builds on the ongoing, year-round work in the community by the Dublin City Sports Officers and the Dublin City Parks Dept and celebrate all things Sports & Wellness, encouraging participants from the local community and beyond to get involved and try something new.

Guests can expect a jam-packed programme throughout the day with a huge range of sports activities to get involved in, wellness talks and demos, a delicious healthy food offering and a very special Shadow Boxing Workout class from a local, back-to-back Olympic Gold edal winning sports star! Audience participation is welcome while you learn from the pros.

Swellfest has been designed to inspire young and old alike in the local area to come together to try some new activities and nurture love for established favourites, as well as building important community connections. An inclusive, open to all event that encourages and supports diversity in the city, Swellfest is sure to have something for people of all ages and ability levels.

Kicking off at the earlier time of 11am for 2024, there’s plenty to get involved in from the get-go and all day, with an on-site Climbing Wall complete with fully trained instructors to show you how to gain confidence at height. Check out the BMX Demo area and have a go at honing your technique yourself or marvel at the skills and stunts on display at the Skateboarding Zone with The Irish Skate Association. Learn how to make the most of your park workout using the available equipment with a workshop and class from the fantastic Calisthenics Ireland or bop along to a Rollerblading Demo with none other than multi-cultural dance collective Go Dance for Change. Younger sports fans will also be well looked after with Handball Ireland’s GAA Handball Nursery along with Little Fitness Health & Wellness Classes scheduled throughout the day. Local youth group Swan Youth Service will bring a musical performance with busking pop us across the day, and participation from Belvedere Youth Club on the day.

With the local area famed for its boxing prowess, it’s only fitting that the sport is well represented throughout the event. Local hero and gold medal Olympic Champion Kellie Harrington will be taking to the main stage from 1pm – 1.45pm to hold a shadow boxing workshop which is guaranteed to be well attended by loyal fans while Docklands Boxing Club Saint Saviours, Boxing Club & Corinthians Boxing Club will be showcasing their talents and hosting demos for all too, the perfect opportunity to try out boxing for yourself if you haven’t already.

For something a little different, make sure to check out the fantastic OTT Wrestlers or join the martial arts experts from Aikido Ireland and IFSC Taekwondo as they demo their talents and host workshops throughout the day. Dublin Parkour are guaranteed to be a big hit with the crowd with their gravity defying skills.  Basketball aficionados will be delighted to shoot some hoops with the NEIC Trojan’s Basketball team too!

If that’s not enough action for you, get involved with some footie at the FAI Football Zone hosted by Sheriff Youth Club Football Teams, Stella Maris Football Team, East Wall Bessborough Football Team & Hardwicke FC or Dance yourself fit at any one of the amazing sessions on offer for all ages. Choose from Zumba with Move it, Baby Rave with Pound Fit and Reggae with Rita. Under 10’s can also avail of the Little Fit Zone, hosting activities all day including kids’ yoga with Erica and meditation for anyone who needs a little time out from their busy schedule!

Those seeking to explore the topic of Wellness will not be disappointed either with a host of wellness & health-based talks from Her.ie, Glenville Nutrition and lots more. Find your inner zen with a blissful Sound Bath Healing or discover the key to getting some proper rest with Jen Healy at her Sleep Well Meditation session. Jen will also be treating guests to a Tapping workshop to inspire people into setting off on their own journey of spiritual self-discovery and you can catch a healthy cooking demo with Ciara’s Kitchen for some top tips on healthy eating!