The Community Games is an Irish independent voluntary organisation and National Governing Body providing opportunities for children and young people to grow and develop in a positive and healthy way while experiencing a wide range of sporting and cultural activities. The National Finals are held over 3 weekends every year, one in May and two in August where on each weekend 3, 000 children compete for their area, town, county and province. The Community Games is sponsored by the Health Service Executive
"Community Games can be quite proud of its immense achievements in a wide range of interests and, indeed, positive community developments. Community Games is a truly developing organisation spreading good-will and healthy involvement for the benefit of all." Joseph Connolly, Founder and Honorary Life Patron (1922 - 2008).
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The community games were set up in 1968 - initially only in Dublin as a way to deal with the problems of the lack of leisure-time activities for young people. In the first games, 3,000 took part at the John F. Kennedy Stadium in Santry; the following year it was 5,000 - today, over 500,000 children compete for the chance to make the national finals. For most of the games history, the National Finals were held in Mosney, County Meath. However this will change from 2009 as the former campsite - now a residential area for asylum seekers - will no longer be available to the Games. The Games will be held at AIT in Athlone, Co. Westmeath.
The following sports and games are played at Community Games:
Young people from all over Ireland aim to qualify for the Community Games National Finals each year. These take place over three weekends one in May and two in August.
In the individual events, one competitor from each of the 32 counties of Ireland qualifies for the National Finals. In the team events, one team from each of the 4 provinces of Ireland qualifies for the National Finals. The exceptions to these rules are:
Where four teams qualify, semi-finals, a third-place play-off and final are played, except in draughts and chess where medal placings are decided on a league basis.
"We're Singing as One" is the theme song of the Community Games written, sung, arranged and produced by Colm O'Loughlin, a former competitor at the Games.
Many famous Irish Athletes have competed in the games over the years:
Famous Competitors: