​Carlow to host some Cairn Community Games National Festivals until 2028

Cairn Community Games President Gerry McGuinness, with Glen Cantwell, left, and John O'Byrne at Delta Sensory Gardens in Carlow. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Today marks a significant milestone for Carlow as it proudly becomes home for some of the Cairn Community Games National Festivals until 2028: The Track and Field Finals in Carlow SETU, the Outdoor Teams Finals in Carlow SETU and the Arts and Cultural Weekend in Visual Carlow and on the grounds of St Patrick's College, Carlow College.
 
Amidst the tranquil setting of Delta Sensory Gardens, representatives from Cairn Community Games, SETU, Visual Carlow and Carlow Community Games gathered to unveil Carlow's designation as the host for these three major Festivals a year until 2028. This decision reflects a shared commitment to fostering community engagement and sporting and artistic participation, promising a vibrant platform for celebrating talent and camaraderie.

Michael Walker, SETU Sport, Sinead Colleran, Cairn Community Games, Averil Lawler, Carlow College St Patricks, Cairn Community Games President Gerry McGuinness, Emma Lucy O'Brien, CEO Visual Carlow and Paula Hickey, SETU Sport at Delta Sensory Gardens in Carlow. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Building upon its legacy of excellence and renowned for its top-notch facilities, South East Technological University (SETU) wil become home to the Athletics and Outdoor Teams National Festival Events.  Reflecting on the success of the past year’s events held in SETU Carlow, Gerry McGuiness, President of Cairn Community Games, highlights the August 2024 weekend in SETU as a culmination of achievements and a celebration for all involved. He notes that track events will be once again streamed globally, reaching hundreds of thousands of viewers, enhancing the excitement and excitement of the occasion.
 
David Denieffe, Vice President of SETU Carlow added: “We are delighted that Carlow has once again been chosen as the home for the Cairn Community Games Arts, Athletics and Outdoor Team National Finals. At South East Technological University we have a great relationship with Cairn Community Games and our partners in Carlow. We look forward to the provision of the Outdoor Team and Athletics events on our South Sports Campus and to the best event possible.”
 
The VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art and George Bernard Shaw Theatre and the grounds of St. Patrick's Carlow College will serve as the vibrant hub for the eagerly anticipated Cairn Community Games Arts and Cultural Weekend. Here, participants from all corners of Ireland will converge to exhibit their talents in various disciplines, promising a spectacle of creativity and artistry in stunning surround and settings!
 
"Carlow College, St Patrick's is proud to be one of the host organisations for the Community Games for the coming years. The College has a long history of working closely with community groups, and promoting arts and culture within Carlow. We are looking forward to welcoming all the range of events that will be hosted on our campus," commented Averil Lawler, Facilities Manager, Carlow College, St Patrick's. 

Gerry McGuinness expressed gratitude to the local authorities and venue hosts for their unwavering support, stating, "These partnerships underscore our shared commitment to fostering community spirit. We are thrilled to bring these events to Carlow, providing thousands of children with the opportunity to come together, celebrate, and proudly represent their counties, creating cherished memories for years to come."
 
As Carlow prepares to host these events in 2024, anticipation mounts for a vibrant celebration of talent, sportsmanship, and community spirit.
 
Cairn Community Games offers a diverse array of events to an estimated 160,000 children from across the Republic of Ireland. These events culminate in National Festivals, where approximately 9,000 children will showcase their skills and represent their counties with pride.
​
For more information on how to get involved, visit www.cairncommunitygames.ie

Phyllis Farrell, Cairn Community Games Director, Derek Blanche, Events Manager Visual Carlow, Gerry McGuinness, Cairn Community Games President, Emma Lucy O'Brien, CEO Visual Carlow, and front row from left, Michael Walker, SETU Sport, Averil Lawler, Carlow College St Patricks, Paul Doogue, Cairn Community Games Deputy President and Paula Hickey, SETU Sport