Join Us Donate

MayFest

A volunteer and child stand holding a sign that says

Beyond Vision, Beyond Boundaries. MayFest turns 45

Vision Sports Ireland brought together more than 250 participants, families, volunteers and supporters at University College Dublin on Saturday 16 May for the 45th annual MayFest – the landmark anniversary edition of Ireland’s longest-running annual multi-sport festival for people who are blind and vision impaired. The occasion marked 45 years since the very first May Games in 1981, and delivered Vision Sports’ most celebrated edition yet. Participants of all ages and abilities took part in an expanded programme of sports and activities across UCD’s world-class campus, supported by a dedicated team of volunteers from across the country as well as from headline sponsor Davy.

A man laughs while on a rowing machine.

UCD provided the perfect backdrop for people to find their passions as sports to try included golf, rock climbing, rowing, weightlifting, tennis, target shooting, orienteering, rugby, athletics, football and disc golf. Dun Laoghaire – Rathdown Sports Partnership were on hand with challenge games including archery and jenga while Let’s Go Ireland provided more fun with interactive and reaction games. In addition to games and activities, there was a wealth of knowledge with Féach, VIP Hub, Vision Ireland’s technology department and DCU all hosting information stands. A welcome addition this year was also the Start Well parents workshop hosted by DCU.

After a long and exhilarating day of activities, a social catch up and BBQ was held in Old Wesley Rugby Club – the home of the VI Rugby team. The team also hosted a bake sale throughout the day to raise money for their upcoming trip to Japan for a world tournament.

A tennis instructor bends down over the net to speak to a child

The magic of MayFest is hard to articulate but feedback from one participant summed it up well.

“We had an absolutely fantastic day at our first Mayfest. The staff and volunteers were so friendly, encouraging, upbeat and helpful which really helped create the positive vibes of the event. The amount of options to try was great and everyone in our family had a brilliant day and are looking forward to going again next year.”

two children share a hug standing beside a rock climbing wall.

Pádraig Healy, National Sports Development Manager for Vision Sports Ireland commented: “MayFest is Vision Sports Ireland’s Beyond Vision strategy in practice. Whether someone is taking their first steps in sport through Start Well, building an active life through Live Well, or staying connected to physical activity through Age Well, MayFest delivered something for every stage of the journey. MayFest for 45 years has been the platform for people to connect and move outside their comfort zone and thrive through sport and physical activity. A special thank you to the VSI team and all the volunteers who made the event such a success. We also would like to acknowledge the event sponsor Davey Group, as well as NGB partners and UCD Sports staff”

a participant jumps in the air smiling in front of a Vision Sports Ireland sign
two young male participants wearing their green VSI t-shirts taking part in Hang Time at Explorium.
a young golfer lines up her shot on the golf course
a young girl on a rowing machine
a girl gives a thumbs up to the camera while on a bicycle
a boy on a rowing machine
a participant stands with a barbell and weights above his head
two young people playing soccer
a participant with a soccer ball
two participants take part on a soccer match
a group photo of the participants in a B2/B3 Junior football match
a young golfer gets instruction from Irish Blind Golf
a young participant takes part in weightlifting
a group take part in an exercise class
Two young participants smile with their
a participant taking a serve during a tennis come and try session
a young participant receives tennis coaching from a member of the Irish Blind/VI tennis team
A participant learning how to throw a javelin
Two volunteers give their thumbs up to the camera
a group of volunteers in high vis jackets smile at the camera
a member gives Target Shooting a try
a young participant cycles on a smoothie bike while smiling
Members of Weightlifting Ireland smile to the camera
a volunteer stands with her hands out showcasing bottles of water available
Two volunteers stand holding a MayFest sign
Two volunteers smile tot he camera
A young participant holds a tennis ball
a participant hits a tennis ball up in the air
Two volunteers smile to the camera
a family give their thumbs up to the camera
golf balls on a golf course with people in the background
a young golfer is given tips from a PGA
a participant smiles while on a hamster wheel at Explorium
a participant running on a life size hamster wheel
a father and son take part in a game at Explorium
Two young people take part in
A mother and daughter embrace while the daughter sits on an oversized chair at Explorium
a young person smiles to the camera while sitting on an oversized chair
a young boy smiles while lying on a bed of nails at Explorium
a young person smiles with a rock wall in view behind her
a participant takes part on Target Shooting
a volunteer and a member take part in a GAA session
a young participant kicks a football during a GAA session
a young participant solos a bean bag on a hurl during a GAA session
a young participant catches a ball during a GAA session
an adult catches a GAA ball
two adults stand behind a Vision Sports Ireland sign
a volunteer and a young person high five
a group of young people take part in a GAA session
a young person is tackled holding a football during a GAA session
a young person mid kick of a GAA football
an adult lines up his shot on the goalie during a soccer session
an adult receives some coaching during a soccer session
a participant catches a rugby ball
two adults take part in a rugby session
a player is tagged during a VI rugby match
a participant running with a rugby ball
a group taking part in rugby cheer with their hands and rugby balls in the air
a volunteer chats to a young participant on the athletics track
a volunteer holds up a javelin while chatting to another volunteer and participants
two young people mid running race
a staff member guides a participant with a running tether
a group take off at the start of a running race on a racing track
a young person lines up a shot put attempt
a group of young people running on an athletics track
a group stand with their hands in the air smiling on an athletics track
a participant takes part in a target shooting session
a young golfer tees up his shot
a young golfer tees up her shot
a young golfer puts her shot on a golf course
a young participant laughing to the camera
a golfer receives instructions from a PGA on the golf course
volunteers smile and wave to the camera
two young participants taking part in a soccer match
two young girls take a break from a soccer match
a young person on a rowing machine
an adult kicking a ball during a soccer match
two participants high five during a soccer match
a participant dribbles with the ball during a soccer match
a participant smiles during a soccer match

Contact

Sara Mc Fadden | Partnerships and Operations Coordinator

Vision Sports Ireland, Vision Ireland, Whitworth Road, Dublin 9.
Email: sara@visionsports.ie

On small screens this website needs to be viewed in portrait screen orietation.