20/08/2026
Olympic Champion Unveils Dublin City Council’s Largest SportsFest To Date
Dublin City Council has launched its most extensive Dublin City Council SportsFest yet, marking a decade of initiatives promoting sport, physical activity and community wellbeing across the capital. The announcement was made alongside the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daryl Barron, Dr Deirdre Lillis, President of Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin), and Olympic champion and Dublin City Council Sports Ambassador Kellie Harrington.
To celebrate the 10-year milestone, the Council's Sports & Recreation Section, working with the Central Area Office and TU Dublin, will stage its first-ever free family sports day at the TU Dublin Grangegorman Sports Campus on Saturday, 26 September 2026, from 12pm to 5pm, as part of Dublin City Council SportsFest 2026.
Launching the programme, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daryl Barron, said: "Dublin City CouncilSportsFest has become one of Dublin's most successful initiatives for promoting health, wellbeing and community participation, and I am delighted to see it celebrate its tenth year. Over the past decade it has encouraged people of all ages and abilities to get involved in sport, try new activities and connect with their local communities.
"The introduction of a free family sports day at Grangegorman is a fantastic addition to the programme. I would encourage everyone to come along, get active, meet local clubs and organisations, and enjoy what promises to be a fun, welcoming and inclusive day for all."
Now in its tenth year, Dublin City Council SportsFest has expanded from local activities into a citywide celebration of sport and recreation. With TU Dublin opening its state-of-the-art facilities, the event will showcase the Council's network of sports centres, parks, programmes and community coaching in one hub.
Attendees can try a wide range of free activities and demonstrations, including NFL football, basketball, GAA, soccer, rugby and athletics, as well as rock climbing, boxing, parkour, ultimate frisbee and tug-of-war. There will also be dance workshops, fitness classes and yoga, plus dedicated neurodiverse activities, age-friendly sports and free face painting. A Sensory Bus will be on site, underscoring a strong focus on accessibility, inclusivity and participation for all.
The event is part of the European Week of Sport and the #BeActive campaign, with representatives from the European Commission set to attend to highlight the value of active lifestyles, inclusion and community participation at both local and European levels.
To celebrate the 10-year milestone, the Council's Sports & Recreation Section, working with the Central Area Office and TU Dublin, will stage its first-ever free family sports day at the TU Dublin Grangegorman Sports Campus on Saturday, 26 September 2026, from 12pm to 5pm, as part of Dublin City Council SportsFest 2026.
Launching the programme, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daryl Barron, said: "Dublin City CouncilSportsFest has become one of Dublin's most successful initiatives for promoting health, wellbeing and community participation, and I am delighted to see it celebrate its tenth year. Over the past decade it has encouraged people of all ages and abilities to get involved in sport, try new activities and connect with their local communities.
Now in its tenth year, Dublin City Council SportsFest has expanded from local activities into a citywide celebration of sport and recreation. With TU Dublin opening its state-of-the-art facilities, the event will showcase the Council's network of sports centres, parks, programmes and community coaching in one hub.
Attendees can try a wide range of free activities and demonstrations, including NFL football, basketball, GAA, soccer, rugby and athletics, as well as rock climbing, boxing, parkour, ultimate frisbee and tug-of-war. There will also be dance workshops, fitness classes and yoga, plus dedicated neurodiverse activities, age-friendly sports and free face painting. A Sensory Bus will be on site, underscoring a strong focus on accessibility, inclusivity and participation for all.
The event is part of the European Week of Sport and the #BeActive campaign, with representatives from the European Commission set to attend to highlight the value of active lifestyles, inclusion and community participation at both local and European levels.
Latest Irish News
20 August 2026
Olympic Champion Unveils Dublin City Council’s Largest SportsFest To Date
Dublin City Council has launched its most extensive Dublin City Council SportsFest yet, marking a decade of initiatives promoting sport, physical activity and community wellbeing across the capital.
Olympic Champion Unveils Dublin City Council’s Largest SportsFest To Date
Dublin City Council has launched its most extensive Dublin City Council SportsFest yet, marking a decade of initiatives promoting sport, physical activity and community wellbeing across the capital.
20 August 2026
Free Dublin City Fleadh Takes Over City Centre This Weekend
Dublin will come alive with traditional music and culture this weekend as the 2026 Dublin City Council Dublin City Fleadh takes over the city centre on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August. With dozens of performances and activities across five hubs and free admission for all, it is one of the capital's biggest showcases of Irish trad.
Free Dublin City Fleadh Takes Over City Centre This Weekend
Dublin will come alive with traditional music and culture this weekend as the 2026 Dublin City Council Dublin City Fleadh takes over the city centre on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August. With dozens of performances and activities across five hubs and free admission for all, it is one of the capital's biggest showcases of Irish trad.
20 August 2026
Sinn Féin Calls for Greater Spiking Awareness and Tougher Legal Outcomes
Sinn Féin spokesperson for Community Safety, Mark Ward TD, has called for increased public awareness of spiking in Ireland alongside stricter legal outcomes for offenders.
Sinn Féin Calls for Greater Spiking Awareness and Tougher Legal Outcomes
Sinn Féin spokesperson for Community Safety, Mark Ward TD, has called for increased public awareness of spiking in Ireland alongside stricter legal outcomes for offenders.
19 August 2026
Garda Anti-Corruption Investigation Leads To Dublin Court Appearance
An Garda Síochána’s Anti-Corruption Unit is investigating the activities of a specific Garda member based in the Dublin Region. Since the inquiry began, one member of An Garda Síochána has been suspended from duty.
Garda Anti-Corruption Investigation Leads To Dublin Court Appearance
An Garda Síochána’s Anti-Corruption Unit is investigating the activities of a specific Garda member based in the Dublin Region. Since the inquiry began, one member of An Garda Síochána has been suspended from duty.
19 August 2026
Ministers Burke And Dillon Reaffirm Right To Work Until State Pension Age
The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, has confirmed that the Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Act 2025 is now in force.
Ministers Burke And Dillon Reaffirm Right To Work Until State Pension Age
The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, has confirmed that the Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Act 2025 is now in force.
19 August 2026
Carthy Says Youth Detention Is Under-Resourced As Oberstown Staff Picket
Sinn Féin's spokesperson on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Matt Carthy TD, has said the Government has failed to ensure Ireland's youth detention system is adequately resourced, warning that staff safety, available places and efforts to cut reoffending through rehabilitation are all being compromised.
Carthy Says Youth Detention Is Under-Resourced As Oberstown Staff Picket
Sinn Féin's spokesperson on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Matt Carthy TD, has said the Government has failed to ensure Ireland's youth detention system is adequately resourced, warning that staff safety, available places and efforts to cut reoffending through rehabilitation are all being compromised.
18 August 2026
Child Poverty Falls As Government Issues Second Progress Report
The Government has released the Second Progress Report from the Child Poverty and Well-Being Programme Office, marking the completion of reporting for its initial Programme Plan, "From Poverty to Potential".
Child Poverty Falls As Government Issues Second Progress Report
The Government has released the Second Progress Report from the Child Poverty and Well-Being Programme Office, marking the completion of reporting for its initial Programme Plan, "From Poverty to Potential".
18 August 2026
M9 Crash Spurs Call For Urgent Boost To Garda Roads Policing, Says Pa Daly
Sinn Féin's spokesperson for Transport, Pa Daly TD, has offered heartfelt sympathies to all affected by the fatal M9 crash and pressed for immediate measures to strengthen roads policing.
M9 Crash Spurs Call For Urgent Boost To Garda Roads Policing, Says Pa Daly
Sinn Féin's spokesperson for Transport, Pa Daly TD, has offered heartfelt sympathies to all affected by the fatal M9 crash and pressed for immediate measures to strengthen roads policing.
18 August 2026
Gardaí Seek Witnesses After Report Of Firearm Discharge
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses following a report that a firearm was discharged on Childers Road in Limerick on Monday afternoon, 17 August 2026. Officers received the report at approximately 3pm. No injuries have been reported and no arrests have been made at this time. Anyone who was in the Childers Road area between approximately 2.
Gardaí Seek Witnesses After Report Of Firearm Discharge
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses following a report that a firearm was discharged on Childers Road in Limerick on Monday afternoon, 17 August 2026. Officers received the report at approximately 3pm. No injuries have been reported and no arrests have been made at this time. Anyone who was in the Childers Road area between approximately 2.
17 August 2026
Minister Byrne In London For Talks With New UK Counterpart
The Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, is in London today (17 August) for a series of engagements focused on EU-UK affairs. During the visit, Minister Byrne will hold talks with his new UK government counterpart, the Minister for Intergovernmental Relations and European Relations, Hamish Falconer MP.
Minister Byrne In London For Talks With New UK Counterpart
The Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, is in London today (17 August) for a series of engagements focused on EU-UK affairs. During the visit, Minister Byrne will hold talks with his new UK government counterpart, the Minister for Intergovernmental Relations and European Relations, Hamish Falconer MP.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:It will be quite breezy and feeling fresher with some showers. Generally a rather cloudy day but a few bright or sunny intervals possible at times. Maximum temperature 17 °C.Tonight:Bright or clear spells and a few showers through the evening. Showers become mostly confined to counties Derry and Tyrone overnight, becoming dry with clear spells elsewhere. Minimum temperature 8 °C.