Eve McCrystal has achieved many successes in her sporting career but many aren't aware of the impact that Cairn Community Games had on her journey to Olympic success. Eve's cycling journey was influenced by her participation in the Community Games during her formative years.  McCrystal credits Community Games for allowing her to experience ''a wide range of sporting activities in a fun environment and developing a wide range of skills that you can carry throughout your life''.

Join us as we uncover Eve McCrystal's journey from Cairn Community Games to cycling success:
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What initially drew your attention to competitive cycling, and how has your passion for the sport evolved over the years?
I didn’t plan to be competitive in cycling. I was cycling for fun and just happened to be good at it. I didn’t start taking things seriously until I was 34 years of age. I took part in the national championships which was held in Carlingford in 2013. I won the bronze medal and on the back of that I was approached by Cycling Ireland to try out for the pilot position on the tandem. I haven’t looked back since. I am extremely passionate about my sport and as the years went on, I became competitive, so this changed things. My sport is part of my life. This is my 10th year and I’m just as passionate today as I was all those years ago.

How do you believe events like Cairn Community Games contribute to fostering participation and interest levels among young adults, particularly in cycling?
When I was younger, I took part in Community Games at Monsey. I loved swimming and this was my first experience of competition. I remember it like it was yesterday. A brilliant experience in a safe environment with like-minded people. This is what it’s all about being part of a community, having fun learning new skills and experiencing a wide range of sporting activities. Cycling is a sport where from a young age you develop a wide range of skills that you can carry throughout your life. Other kids will have the opportunity to see the bikes and maybe get interested in trying out the sport. The sport will grow and grow once its visible to our young people. Cairn Community Games provides this.

Gerry McGuinness, President of Cairn Community Games, shared his enthusiasm: “The Cairn Community Games May Finals have been a tremendous success, showcasing the dedication and talent of our young children. The joy and excitement seen this weekend highlights the importance of community and taking part in a range of different activities when you’re young. A huge thank you to all the volunteers, families, and sponsors for their unwavering support.  Now it’s time to rest, but not for long – in just two weeks our Swimming, Gymnastics and Quiz finals will take place in Kilkenny!

Our May National Festival promises to be a busy and fun weekend with finals ranging from Basketball to X Rugby 7's and plenty to do for all the family.   We look foward to seeing you there!  Find out MORE AT OUR WEBPAGE

​There are 3 venues: 

• Gormanston Park, Co. Meath, Ireland, K32NH30: All Events except Chess/Draughts and Indoor Soccer
  
• City North Hotel, Gormanston, K32 W562, Ireland : Chess and Draughts
  
• Kenagh Community Hall, Kenagh, Longford, N39 YE68: Indoor Soccer

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.
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For more information on how to get involved, visit www.cairncommunitygames.ie

Our List of Events is ready for DOWNLOAD and print so feel free to use for your Area/County. 

it's a handy document to refer to if you need to know quickly how many can be on a panel or what are the age categories - and remember, you can can find out your child's eligibility by visiting our Age Calculator. 

 Best of luck to all the children are more importantly we want you to have fun! 

Download our List of Events for 2024 

The ethos of Fit Foods is ‘Fit for Life’ recognising the busy nature of everyday life, particularly for active families. “We know people are short on time and there’s not always the opportunity to plan healthy meals or to sit together and eat as a family. Far too often, quick and convenient options are the unhealthy route.  Our range of ready meals are designed to be easier, healthier, and tastier - high in protein, low in fat and above all convenient - meaning that you can trust that our meals will always taste great and provide a healthier alternative to take-always or other ready meals– especially on the days when you’re short on time”
 
Gerry McGuiness Cairn Community Games President shared ‘’We are delighted to welcome Fit Foods to the Cairn Community Games family. Our families and volunteers lead very busy lives where time is precious and schedules are packed, so clever convenient nourishment on the go is a win for us’’
 
David Hoysted CEO of Cairn Community Games also welcomed this new partnership and looks forward to the inclusion of Fit Foods at the upcoming National All Ireland Final events this year. ‘’Through the sampling of products, participants and spectators alike will have the opportunity to experience first-hand the nourishment and sustenance that Fit Foods brings to the table’’

Fit Foods is Ireland’s Number 1 branded ready meal available in most major supermarkets and convenience stores.  In recent years, Fit Foods has expanded its offerings to include gut friendly yogurts to high-protein puddings, and even a cook-at home high protein meat range ensuring quick, healthier solutions for every eating occasion. 

Take a look at our brand new campaign - We''re All In

We'll be on TV, Radio and plenty of billboards throughout Irealnd - if you spot us - take a photo and tag us in it and we'll be happy to share on our socials! 

Bus Éireann is delighted to announce their renewed sponsorship with Cairn Community Games, the voluntary organisation, which operates throughout communities in Ireland with providing opportunities for children and young people aged 6 to 16 to develop active, healthy lives.
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Cairn Community Games has a history of connecting communities through a large programme of arts and sporting events  for children. Community is very important to Bus Éireann providing connectivity across the island of Ireland, providing bus services to over 90 million passengers in 2023.
In renewing our sponsorship of the Games, Bus Éireann is also particularly proud to partner with Cairn, who share the same ambition of increasing participation as well as enhancing diversity and inclusion through the medium of sport and other activities. At the Games, there is something for everyone – no matter the interest, ability, or talent.
Bus Éireann’s significant support of the Cairn Community Games is a perfect fit given the company’s strong commitment to sustainability in communities across Ireland. The company is pleased to be involved in the efforts to make this year’s events some of the best so far – highlighting our shared goal of developing healthy lifestyles in a safe and fun environment.

Gerry McGuinness President of Cairn Community Games said: “We are delighted to see TFI and Bus Eireann return as official Travel Partner to Cairn Community Games this year. Their commitment to communities all over Ireland sits very well with our own values.  Their belief and support in Cairn Community Games is a testament to the wonderful work carried out by our Area’s and volunteers at grass roots level.’’ 

David Hoysted CEO of Cairn Community Games said: “Communities is at the core of what we deliver so having TFI and Bus Eireann as key partners is very significant. We look forward to working on many key campaigns together enhancing our offering to communities and volunteers throughout the year’’#
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Allen Parker, Chief Customer Officer, Bus Éireann said: “Bus Éireann is at the heart of communities across the island of Ireland. We are immensely proud to be renewing our sponsorship with Cairn Community Games as official travel partners for the fifth consecutive year. Last year, we transported over 99 million passengers and operated more than 225 million kilometres representing the largest public transport network in the country.
We are delighted to renew our partnership with Cairn Community Games and to provide and encourage the use of public transport to the thousands of children and volunteers who participate in the games nationwide.”

Cairn Homes plc (“Cairn”), Ireland’s largest home and community builder, is today proud to announce a four-year official partnership and €3 million investment in Community Games, reinforcing the company’s commitment to creating and supporting vibrant, sustainable communities and to playing its part in supporting a thriving Ireland.
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Community Games is at the heart of communities in Ireland. It provides up to 160,000* young people who take part in the annual games, aged between 6 and 16 years, with the opportunity to develop active and healthy lives in a safe environment through sporting and cultural activities. This ensures there is something for everyone no matter their interest, ability, or talent.

Over the course of the four-year partnership, Cairn commits to increasing overall participation in Community Games by 10%. Working with Community Games, Cairn commits to delivering a support programme that enhances the competition and drives participation and awareness.
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Showcasing the importance and prevalence of Community Games in Ireland, a recent survey* found that 1 in 4 people have taken part in Community Games and 1 in 8 people surveyed claimed to have volunteered. Community Games also has a very proud history of participants with some of the most famous and recognised sportspeople, actors and musicians taking part in Community Games including Saoirse Ronan, Niall Horan, Colin Farrell and Sonia O’Sullivan to name but a few.

The recent research* also found that 90% of respondents were positively disposed towards Community Games which included a strong association with bringing communities together. Increasing awareness of Cairn Community Games nationally, and amongst diverse audience groups, will also be a key focus of the partnership, in line with Cairn’s commitment for creating vibrant communities where people thrive. The support programme will include investment in national and local awareness; volunteering Cairn employees’ time across the four-year partnership and various youth development programmes.

The partnership will also see Cairn work with Community Games to revive and promote the Culture Corner category to showcase and attract diverse cultures and talents, as well as reviewing and implementing new categories to recognise diverse and emerging talents of children in Ireland.
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Volunteers are central to the work of Community Games and Cairn will celebrate their role through annual awards, as well as providing support and training to volunteers throughout the year. 

Speaking about the new partnership between Cairn and Community Games, Michael Stanley, Chief Executive Officer of Cairn said: “We are proud that over 20,000 people now live in the 7,500 Cairn homes we have built to date. Our momentum will deliver another 2,200 homes this year. It is therefore entirely in line with our commitment to build thriving communities, that we are investing in and supporting Cairn Community Games.”
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“We’re an ideal match. My colleagues and I look forward to working closely with Community Games’ team, the 10,000 volunteers who make the Games happen and, most importantly, the thousands of young people who participate. We will work hard to further increase and broaden participation across all activities over the coming years, so that Cairn Community Games continues to be reflective of the youth of Ireland. We look forward to working with Community Games to build on the lasting legacy and positive impact it has on the people of Ireland since 1967.”

Gerry McGuinness, National President of Cairn Community Games said: “We are delighted to announce this significant investment and sponsorship from Cairn which will undoubtedly take Cairn Community Games from strength to strength. In so many respects this is a unique organisation rooted in the commitment and energy of volunteers in so many communities and the enthusiastic participation of young people in a wide range of sporting and cultural activities.”
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“Given Cairn’s established track record of building communities, our new partnership couldn’t be more apt. We look forward to working with Cairn to attract and engage even more participants from all backgrounds, to enjoy what the Games delivers, year after year”     

David Hoysted, Chief Executive of Cairn Community Games added: "I am thrilled to extend a warm welcome to our title sponsor , Cairn Homes. Their commitment to the development of sustainable communities where people thrive aligns perfectly with our mission, where community spirit and co-operation is fostered and encouraged.

Together, we’ll drive positive change and empower communities to thrive and enable us to innovate and expand our reach.  Here’s to a fruitful partnership built on trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment to making a difference. Welcome aboard!"

Grainne O'Shea, Sponsorship and Marketing Manager, Cairn Commmunity Games said: "​From our first discussions with Cairn, the alignment of values and focus for both parties was very evident which is a fundamental part of any partnership and was of the upmost importance to us as an organisation embedded in Irish culture and way of life. 
 
The Cairn sponsorship is going to provide Community Games with  exceptional exposure, resources and activations so I am very excited for what the future has to hold for all of our children, communities and volunteers and I look forward to working closely with Cairn and their teams in the future."

1.    CAVAN
2.    WATERFORD
3.    OFFALY
4.    KERRY
5.    ROSCOMMON
6.    KILDARE
7.    LIMERICK
8.    KILKENNY
9.    MEATH
10.  LOUTH
11.  MAYO
12.  CORK
13.  LAOIS
14.  CARLOW
15.  WEXFORD
16.  TIPPERARY
17.  LONGFORD
18.  LEITRIM
19.  SLIGO
20.  WICKLOW
21.  CLARE
22.  GALWAY
23.  WESTMEATH
24.  MONAGHAN
25.  DUBLIN
26.  DONEGAL

Provincial Draw 2024
Semi-Final 1
Munster V Leinster
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Semi-Final 2
Ulster V Connaught

In the event of only 3 teams being entered from provinces, Munster will be asked to provide their runner up to ensure full participation.