Strongwomen at Longford gym enjoy unique sport and special camaraderie

Strongwoman and strongman competitions are one of the fastest growing sporting activities in the country and it is flourishing in Longford and the Midlands.

That is the view of David Harrington and his fiancé and business partner April Dardis, from Forgney, Ballymahon who opened their gym Midlands Strength in Longford Town late last year.

The pair will be hosting Strongwomen Ireland's first league event of the year on Sunday, April 13 and they are excited about the opportunity.

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David and April, who was Ireland's strongest woman under 57kg last year and finished as the runner-up in the same category this year, use their own knowledge and experience to help people to develop quicker.

April said their female athletes vary in age from young to the mid-40s and the majority of them are "mothers using strength training and strongwoman as an outlet and for social get-togethers".

She said it gives them an opportunity to test their resilience and they are dedicated to the sport.

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"Initially I was the only female, now we are primarily female within the Midlands Strength.

"The sense of community and support within our gym is like no other and that is exactly what myself and David thrived for in our gym," she added.

The Strongwoman Ireland committee was formed in 2021 and in 2023 the first Strongwoman League was held, which despite it being small in numbers it was popular among novice level women.

They decided to bring it back for 2025 after seeing a surge of women entering beginner/ first timer competitions around the country who needed further competitive experiences.

David, who recently won the Masters Irish Natural Strongman under-90kg title, said there will be 14 female beginner athletes and 10 female novice athletes competing in Strongwomen Ireland's first league event.

"It's brilliant, there will be women coming from across the country and there will be two more events during the year held at Pure Grit Gym in county Donegal and at Urban Barbell Gym in Limerick."

He said they are honoured to host the event at their Longford gym.

"It's mostly strongman equipment we have here, there are farmer's carries, steel logs, heavier and thicker bars than you would find in your normal gym, there are sandbags ranging from 35 kilos up to 120 kilos.

"Then there are other bits and pieces like your atlas stones, (your big round concrete balls).

David said they also have the normal gym equipment, which is a big part of strength and conditioning training.

"The sport is going really fast at the moment because there are a couple of people including myself, April, Mattie Costello and Ayshea Ullah who have really got behind it and we are increasing awareness about the sport.

"Social media is a big part of it as is word of mouth."

David said strongman or strongwoman events are very different to other competitive sporting events.

"So, for example if you were competing against somebody else when they are out on the platform doing their lift even if they are going to beat you you are pushing them on to be the best they possibly can.

"Everybody supports each other even if the other person is going to win.

"We have made some of the best friends in our lives in the warm-up area of a competition."

David and April have both qualified for this year's UK & Ireland's Natural Strongest Man & Woman 2025” competitions.

David said one of the main reasons that they opened the gym itself was because they wanted a central location for themselves and other athletes to access equipment.