Gold Medal Power: Olympic Champion Rhys McClenaghan to Headline Swellfest as Full Programme is Revealed

Dublin City Council and the North East Inner City Initiative (NEIC) are thrilled to announce the full programme for SWELLFEST, Dublin’s biggest free family festival celebrating all things sports and wellness. The event will be headlined by a special guest appearance and master class from Irish Olympic gold medal gymnast (and Dancing with the Stars winner) Rhys McClenaghan. The festival will take place in the historic Mountjoy Square Park, Dublin 1 on Saturday, 13th September, from 12pm to 6pm.

This year’s festival will give attendees a unique opportunity to see one of Ireland’s top athletes in person. Rhys McClenaghan will be on hand to showcase his incredible skills and inspire the next generation of athletes. Guiding everyone through the day’s packed schedule will be hosts Enya Martin (Giz a Laugh) and Luke Delany (talk Sport), ensuring nobody misses a beat.

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.

Speaking at the launch earlier this month, the 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.”

Both the Lord Mayor and Jim Gavin will be present on Saturday at Swellfest.

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