The HSE Community Games May National Festival took place in AIT last weekend with almost 4,000 children participating in a wide range of activities from debating to swimming, gymnastics to indoor soccer, art to rugby.
There were many attractions over the weekend. Gary Connaughton and some of his Westmeath GAA team mates were on hand to give coaching tips to their captive audience of young participants. A ‘Smoothie Bike’ was on site as a demonstration of how to make an eco-friendly smoothie, while the festival atmosphere wa enhanced with a full programme of activities including fun fair, bouncy castles, face painting, photo booth, magic shows, and a ‘Where’s Oltan?’ competition.
In his address of welcome, president of AIT Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin said that with the completion of the new sports complex, AIT have some of the best facilities in Ireland, and he wished all participants an enjoyable and positive experience as they represented their communities at the finals.
CEO of the HSE Community Games John Byrne, paid tribute to the numerous volunteers who are “the backbone of the organisation”.
The countdown now begins for the August Festival, which takes place from August 16-18. Results from the May and August Festivals can be accessed on www.maynationalfestival.com/results, which is updated regularly throughout the festival.
For more information about HSE Community Games, please visit www.communitygames.ie or www.hse.ie
