Over 1,300 children took part in the Cairn Community Games Swimming, Quiz, Gymnastics and Chess & Draughts National All Ireland Finals on 5th and 6th July 2025 at The Watershed in Kilkenny.

The event brought together children from all corners of the country for a weekend of friendly competition, fun and celebration. While medals were awarded, the spirit of participation remained at the heart of the occasion, with every child celebrated as a winner.

One of the standout moments came from Roscommon’s Scott Duda, who secured his fifth consecutive gold medal in swimming, a superb personal achievement that drew huge cheers from spectators.

Also among the weekend's inspiring stories were siblings Fiadh and Rian Brett from Coolera, Sligo. Both took home medals for the second year in a row, having also enjoyed success in 2024 – a remarkable family milestone and a proud moment for their community.

The Finals had something for everyone, with families enjoying a festive atmosphere and a full programme of entertainment. From stilt walkers to balloon modellers and face painters, the event was a joyful celebration of community and fun.

A special thank you goes to title sponsor, Cairn, as well as sponsors Bus Éireann, Transport for Ireland (TFI), and Fit Foods, whose generosity and support helped bring the event to life.

The event would not have been possible without the extraordinary commitment of our volunteers. A huge thank you to everyone who gave their time, and especially to Kilkenny Volunteer Centre for coordinating such an impressive turnout of local support.

Reflecting on the weekend, Gerry McGuinness, President of Cairn Community Games, said: "The turnout and energy at the Finals in Kilkenny are a true testament to what we are all about. Watching young participants give their all from local area events through to national level shows the strength of community and the power of participation."

David Hoysted, Chief Executive of Cairn Community Games, added: "This event is not just about competition,  it’s about building confidence, friendships and skills that last well beyond the weekend. We’re incredibly proud of every child who took part and are deeply grateful to the volunteers and families who made it all possible."

The fun continues in August with the next events, the Pitch & Putt and Regional Athletics Finals, which will take place in Westport, Athlone and Clonmel.