Olympic Champion Rhys McClenaghan to Headline SWELLFEST This Saturday in Mountjoy Square Park

Dublin City Council and the North East Inner City Initiative (NEIC) wish to remind the public that SWELLFEST 2025, Dublin’s largest free festival dedicated to sport and wellness, will take place this Saturday, 13th September, from 12pm to 6pm at Mountjoy Square Park, Dublin 1.

The festival will be headlined by Rhys McClenaghan, Irish Olympic gold medal gymnast and winner of Dancing with the Stars, who will deliver a special guest appearance and masterclass. This presents a unique opportunity for attendees to witness one of Ireland’s foremost athletes in action and gain inspiration from his remarkable achievements.

The day’s programme will be hosted by Enya Martin (Giz a Laugh) and Luke Delany (Talk Sport), who will guide attendees through a full schedule of engaging sports demonstrations, wellness activities, and family-friendly entertainment.

SWELLFEST offers an inclusive and vibrant environment for people of all ages to participate in and celebrate health, fitness, and community spirit. Attendance is free of charge.

The full programme features a diverse lineup of activities across multiple zones:

Action & Adrenaline Zone

• Combat Sports: See demos from local boxing, wrestling, Taekwondo, and
      Aikido clubs.
• Climbing Wall: Scale the heights with fully trained instructors.
• Skateboarding: Marvel at thrilling demos or try it yourself.
• Calisthenics: Learn impressive park workout skills in hands-on
      workshops.

Team Sports & Skills Hub

• Football Zone: Improve your skills and meet some familiar faces.
• Rugby Zone: Test your rugby prowess with fun challenges.
• Basketball Zone: Shoot some hoops and join a game.
• GAA Handball: Try your hand at our Swellfast GAA handball court.
       
• Gymnastics: a chance to try gymnastics with our dedicated coaches.
• Weightlifting Ireland: learn the best techniques
      from weightlifting experts. 

Wellness & Dance 

• Yoga & Meditation: Find your zen with sessions throughout the day
      including a Sound Bath and Tapping session.
• Sound bath & Tapping:  
• Dance Fitness: Learn Afrobeats, join a Family Rave with Poundfit, or
      try Samba and a fun Céilí.
• Wellness Talks: Hear top tips athletes and nutritional tips from our
      healthy chef cooking demo.

Family & Creative Fun

• Little Fit Zone: A dedicated area for younger fans with kids' yoga and
      classes.
• Art & Mindfulness with the Hugh Lane Gallery 
• Hit the Bullseye with our giant inflatable football dart board. 

Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Ray McAdam said, “It is with immense pleasure that I welcome the return of Swellfest to the historic Mountjoy Square Park. This fantastic event, delivered by Dublin City Council and the North East Inner City Initiative, truly captures the vibrant spirit of our city. It’s a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together, embrace a healthy and active lifestyle, and discover new passions. I am thrilled to officially welcome all Dubliners and visitors to join us for what promises to be an exciting and memorable day for the whole family."

Jim Gavin, Independent Chair of the NEIC, added, "Swellfest is a powerful showcase of the incredible community spirit and sporting talent we have right here in the North East Inner City. The NEIC is proud to fund and support a vast array of local sports clubs that do phenomenal work year-round. I am particularly looking forward to seeing the many excellent clubs supported by the NEIC display the remarkable skill and dedication of their members and coaches. This event is a true celebration of their hard work and the positive impact they have on our community."

For more information and updates, visit www.neic.ie and www.dublin.ie or follow the conversation online with the hashtag #swellfest.

ENDS