SwellFest

NEIC are delighted to announce SwellFest - a brand new, FREE Sports and Wellness Festival at Dublin’s Mountjoy Square this September 9th!

"A celebration of sport and wellbeing in the heart of Dublin city "

SwellFest promises to celebrate all things sports & wellness with a packed programme of diverse sports activities to experience, engaging discussion with a selection of special guests along with a delicious healthy food offering.

Activities for Everyone!

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.

Football, Basketball, Boxing and more!

Running from 12pm to 6pm, it’s shaping up to be a fantastic day with plenty of opportunities to get involved with FAI football challenge zone featuring a speed radar penalties zone, football table tennis and panna cage, special guest appearances and chats from a selection of the Dublin GAA Football women and men’s teams, demos from POUNDFIT, a full body cardio-jam session inspired by the infectious, energizing, and sweat-dripping fun of playing the drums.

Expect plenty more to choose from including, Tag Rugby with Leinster Rugby & NEIC partnership, Gymnastics, Basketball demos and workshops from the Trojan NEIC Basketball Club and GAA nursery with Scoil Ui Chonaill or try your hand in the fast-paced GAA Handball court. Topped off with a visit from Cycling Ireland and DublinBikePolo, a fast-paced, mixed-gender contact sport played on bikes in teams of 3, which champions inclusivity and community, and Boxing with Olympian Emmet Brennan and 6-time National Champion Jordan Moore of FightR Dublin, empowering the community to learn the art of contact and non-contact formats , Swellfest is the perfect opportunity to try something new, who knows it might just spark a brand-new passion in your life!

Music, Dance, Yoga and Zumba

Learn how to get fit the party way with some Zumba from Move Me Ireland, a Latin inspired dance workout or perhaps you would like to enjoy some Reggae Yoga with Reeta

Get a flavour of Brazil with Mundo Capoeira & Morro 16 who are sure to bring a little bit of Rio carnival to the proceedings or enjoy some of your favourite tunes reimagined courtesy of the superb 8-piece The New Brass Kings. Continuing with the music and dance theme, multicultural dance collaboration Go Dance for Change will also be providing Empowering Movement Workshops to demonstrate using dance as a form of self-empowerment.

Demos and Workshops

With the available equipment in mind, guests can learn from Calisthenics Ireland who’s professional athletes will be on hand to demonstrate how to enjoy street workouts by using the calisthenics bars found in most public parks as well as providing a Muscle Up and Handstand Workshop on the day. Dublin Parkour are sure to amaze and delight with their demos and workshops throughout the day and don’t forget to get involved with the bungee trampoline for some extra fun!

Activities for Children

Little ones are sure to be kept busy all day with loads to see and do including kids aerobics with the amazing Jitterbug Jackson, a silent headphones meditation with Michael Ryan, Yoga for Kids with much loved local instructor Erica and Movement & meditation for Kids with the one and only Anna Walsh. The Little Fitness programme, inclusive for all children and families living in emergency accommodation, will also be on site throughout the day.

SwellFest are also delighted to include the Dublin City Council outdoor mobile child sensory unit which will be available for children who identify as neurodiverse. With the approval of the Dublin City Council Arts, Culture, Leisure, and Recreation Strategic Policy Committee the unit was designed, developed and constructed from the proceeds of the Dublin Winter Lights ticketing fees in Merrion Square Park in 2022.

Swell Talks Tent

Over in the Swell Talks Tent, Jen Healy will be talking all things Tapping to inspire people into setting off on their own journey of spiritual self-discovery while Chloe McHugh from Sonas Sounds will be relaxing the crowds with a unique deep listening experience at her Sound Bath created using ancient instruments and the natural sounds of the surrounding environment. Hear from author and founder of the Menopause Success Summit Catherine O’Keeffe on Demystifying the Menopause or come and enjoy the panel talk from Hersport.ie, empowering women in sport all over the country.