Longford to forefront as Cairn Community Games to benefit from €3 million investment

Cairn, Ireland’s largest homebuilder, has announced a major investment in supporting Community Games, the voluntary organisation which provides up to 160,000 young people, aged between 6 and 16 years, with the opportunity to develop active and healthy lives in a safe environment through sporting and cultural activities.

Cairn Community Games is calling on 6-16 year olds in Longford to sign up to take part in the iconic competition which has something for everyone no matter their interest, ability or talent.

Cairn is investing €3 million into Community Games over a four-year period, commencing this year. Established in 1967, Community Games is a community driven organisation, active in over 430 towns and villages in every county.

Longford’s Gráinne O'Shea, who is Sponsorship Manager with Community Games said: "​From our first discussions with Cairn, the alignment of values and focus for both parties was very evident which is a fundamental part of any partnership and was of the utmost importance to us as an organisation embedded in Irish culture and way of life.

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“The Cairn sponsorship is going to provide Community Games with exceptional exposure, resources and activations so I am very excited for what the future has to hold for all of our children, communities and volunteers and I look forward to working closely with Cairn and their teams in the future."

Another Longford native, David Hoysted, Chief Executive of Community Games added: "I am thrilled to extend a warm welcome to our title sponsor , Cairn Homes. Their commitment to the development of sustainable communities where people thrive aligns perfectly with our mission, where community spirit and co-operation is fostered and encouraged.

“Together, we’ll drive positive change and empower communities to thrive and enable us to innovate and expand our reach. Here’s to a fruitful partnership built on trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment to making a difference. Welcome aboard!"

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Integral to the Cairn investment is a joint commitment with Community Games to increase participation by 10% to 176,000 young people by 2028, enhancing diversity and inclusion, and raising awareness within new audience groups.

Cairn’s significant support of Community Games and the four-year partnership is a perfect fit given the Company’s deep commitment to creating sustainable communities where people in Ireland can thrive. Showcasing the importance and prevalence of Community Games in Ireland, a recent survey¹ found that 1 in4 people have taken part in Community Games and 1 in 8 people surveyed claimed to have volunteered.

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Michael Stanley, Chief Executive Officer of Cairn said: “We are proud that over 20,000 people now live in the 7,500 Cairn homes we have built to date. Our sustained momentum will deliver another 2,200 homes this year. It is therefore entirely in line with our commitment to building thriving communities, that we are investing in and supporting Cairn Community Games. We are an ideal match.

“My colleagues and I look forward to working closely with Community Games’ team, with the 10,000 volunteers who make the Games happen and, most importantly, with the thousands of young people who participate. We will work hard to further increase and broaden participation across all activities over the coming years, so that Cairn Community Games continues to be reflective of the youth of Ireland.”

MAIN PHOTO CAPTION: Gerry McGuiness, President, Community Games is pictured with Michael Stanley, Chief Executive Officer, Cairn and Cara Gilhooly (9), Art from Clontarf, Pippa O’Shea (12), Basketball from Longford, Ishan Dharmasena (14) - Javelin from Meath, John Gilhooly (7), Chess from Clontarf, Lucas Moynihan, (15), basketball player from Longford, Ceola Marjara (12) Athletics, from Meath and Helena Casey (10), Harp from Longford Picture Andres Poveda

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Longford's Susie honoured for her great dedication to Community Games