The Community Games, known for sponsorship reasons as the Cairn Community Games, Initially, the event was focused in the Walkinstown area of Dublin – as a way to deal with the problems of the lack of leisure-time activities for young people of the area. The Dublin Community Games finals took place, in Santry, in 1968 and 1969. The event expanded by 1970, and the finals of the inaugural National Community Games involved teams from counties Cork, Kilkenny, Limerick, Louth, Roscommon, Tipperary and Waterford.
For much of the game's history, from 1973 until 2008, the national finals were held in Mosney, County Meath. as of 2018 the organisation was sponsored by Aldi. In early 2024, Cairn Homes was announced as the title sponsor for the Community Games.
Events
Sports, games and activities that are undertaken as part of the Community Games include:
Sports
- Athletics
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Camogie
- Cycling
- Futsal
- Gaelic football
- Gymnastics
- Hurling
- Pitch and putt
- Rounders
- Rugby
- Skittles
- Indoor soccer
- Swimming
- Table tennis
- Tennis
- Spikeball
Other events
- Art
- Chess
- Choir
- Culture Corner
- Draughts
- Model making
- Quiz
- Handwriting
- Dance
- Singing
- Comedy sketch/Drama
- Music
- Recitation
National Festivals
Young people from all over Ireland aim to qualify for the Community Games "National Festivals" each year. These take place over several weekends in various locations throughout Ireland.
Past participants
A number of notable Irish athletes and performers have previously participated in the games. These have included:
- Sonia O'Sullivan