The Dagda Games – Irish Strength & Heritage Festival 2026
Festival of Strength & Warrior Traditions at Claregalway Castle 🏰💪
Set within the stunning medieval grounds of Claregalway Castle, The Dagda Games is a ground-breaking full-day celebration of Irish strength, culture, and martial heritage. Taking place on Saturday, June 27, 2026, this first-of-its-kind festival brings together Ireland’s elite strongmen alongside jaw-dropping historical revivals. Attendees will witness everything from traditional stone lifting to an extraordinary milestone: the first official on-soil competition in over a century of Collar and Elbow wrestling, Ireland’s ancient native martial art. Blending high-intensity athletic showcases with a lively festival atmosphere—complete with a bustling craft market, local food vendors, historical workshops, and foot-stomping live folk music—it offers an unmissable, family-friendly journey into Ireland’s warrior soul.
Event Schedule & Highlights
The festival fields a packed, continuous timeline of events across the castle grounds, moving from raw morning qualifiers to a high-octane evening concert series.
| Time Slot | Event Type | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM | Strongman Pre-Show | Up-and-coming heavy athletes clash in the intense Irish Strongman League qualifiers. |
| 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Grip & Armwrestling | All-day head-to-head arm wrestling wars and feats of absolute hand-grip power. |
| 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Dagda Stone Lifting | Athletes tackle four historic Irish lifting stones before an epic arena finale. |
| 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Collar & Elbow Wrestling | The Connacht Open Championship—marking the official competitive revival of this ancient sport. |
| 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Irish Strength Cup | The main event: Giants from Ireland, the UK, Europe, and the USA battle for ultimate glory. |
| 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM | Talks & Workshops | Mythology talks with David Keohan & Conor Heffernan, followed by a Bataireacht (stick fighting) seminar. |
| 4:30 PM – 9:00 PM | Céilí Class & Live Music | Galway Céilí Club courtyard class, leading into live music sets by The Hidden Maples, Andrew Grimes, and The Turfmen. |
What to expect at the Dagda Games
Ancient Martial Arts: Witness live demonstrations and take part in a beginner-friendly workshop for Bataireacht—the traditional Irish style of stick fighting.
Gentle Giants: Between 12:30 PM and 2:30 PM, keep an eye out for four magnificent Fiadh Irish Wolfhounds roaming the castle grounds.
Test Your Might: Throughout the day, spectators can test their own power in dedicated public stone-lifting and grip-sport challenges.
Craft & Tradition: Browse an array of local artisan makers at the craft market and visit the Brat Bhríde traditional textile workshop.
Note: The venue has a strict capacity limit. Tickets cover full-day access to every single competitive sport showcase, lecture, workshop, and musical performance.
FAQs about The Dagda Games
What exactly is Collar and Elbow wrestling?
It is Ireland’s native style of wrestling, historically focused on leverage, balance, swift trips, and spectacular throws. The Dagda Games hosts the Connacht Open, representing its first official tournament on Irish soil in over 100 years.
Is the event suitable for children?
Yes, it is highly family-friendly. The festival includes children’s tickets, family packages, dedicated face-painting sessions (11 AM & 2 PM), and opportunities to meet Irish Wolfhounds.
Can absolute beginners participate in the workshops?
Absolutely. Both the 4:00 PM Bataireacht (stick fighting) workshop and the 4:30 PM Galway Céilí Club dance class are fully tailored for beginners with zero previous experience required.
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