Kildare Inclusivity Festival: A Celebration of Community, Sport and Belonging

On Sunday, 12 May, the Curragh Racecourse came alive with colour, energy and connection as the Kildare Inclusivity Festival took place as part of Kildare Disability Week. Organised by Kildare County Council in partnership with Kildare Sports Partnership and Barretstown – and proudly sponsored by Nua Healthcare – this free family event brought people of all ages and abilities together in a heartfelt celebration of inclusion.

The event officially began with a vibrant parade around the parade ring, led by Grand Marshal Mark Smith – award-winning actor and proud advocate for inclusion – followed by the stirring sounds of St. Joseph’s Pipe Band and the five competing teams. It was a joyful and symbolic start to a day grounded in unity, visibility and celebration.

The sporting challenges then got underway, with teams taking part in a 100m sprint, 200m relay, the ever-popular egg and spoon race, and Nua’s Ultimate Obstacle Course – three inflatable challenges in a row that brought great fun and a healthy dose of competition.

Mayor of Kildare and Newbridge, Peggy O'Dwyer, joined the celebrations and kindly presented medals and trophies to all the teams. The overall winners were Infinite Impact, who topped the scoreboard with an impressive 275 points.

Another standout moment of the day was a moving speech by Para National Champion Heather Lemmon, who spoke about her journey in equine dressage and how the sport can be adapted to include individuals of all abilities. Her message of resilience and accessibility struck a powerful chord with those in attendance.

As sponsors, we were honoured to be part of such a meaningful day. The Kildare Inclusivity Festival reminded us all of the power of community and the importance of creating inclusive spaces where everyone is welcomed, supported and celebrated.

A heartfelt thank you to the organisers, volunteers, speakers, and everyone who helped make the day so special. It was an event to remember – and a true reflection of what inclusion looks like in action.