'There was such a positive, uplifting vibe across the whole site': WellFest celebrates 10th year in Dublin

Europe’s largest outdoor health and wellness festival returned to Dublin’s IMMA at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham last weekend. Picture: Marc O'Sullivan.

Crowds of health and wellbeing enthusiasts donning colourful fitness attire and carrying yoga mats descended on Dublin at the weekend for Europe’s largest health, fitness and wellness festival.

SPF, sunglasses, and caps were top of the packing list for those attending, as WellFest yet again brought the sunshine to Dublin for its 10th birthday celebration.

The IMMA at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham was home to outdoor dance workouts, yoga classes, hybrid training classes, health talks, meditation sessions, and wellbeing workshops on Saturday and Sunday.

Joe and Rosie Wicks, Blindboy, Spencer Matthews, Maeve Madden, Kellie Harrington, Danny O’Reilly, Gerry Hussey and Kevin Twomey were among the well-known names who made an appearance this year.

Saturday led with a standout mix of global names, homegrown talent and festival‑favourite experiences. Podcaster and mental health advocate Blindboy drew a huge crowd to WellTalk, with endurance athlete and wellness entrepreneur Spencer Matthews co-hosting this year’s WellFest Run Club, which raised funds for the festival’s official charity partner Women’s Aid.

TV fitness legend Mr Motivator brought his trademark energy to the main stage, while Maeve Madden led the popular Queens Don’t Quit sessions.

King of Chemo Iain Ward, comedian Kevin Twomey, performance coach Enda McNulty, TV chef Trisha Lewis, Olympic athlete Nadia Power, The Happy Pear, HYROX athlete Sean Noble, and festival-favourites POUND and BBX also took place on Saturday.

Sunday’s standout moments included Joe and Rosie Wicks’ The Body Coach on the main stage, Olympic champion Kellie Harrington, and mental health campaigner Bressie, who was honoured with this year’s inaugural Embodiment of WellMan Award in recognition of his ongoing work in destigmatising mental health and championing men’s wellbeing.

The Coronas frontman and wellness advocate Danny O’Reilly also joined the Sunday programme, alongside boxing sisters and HYROX World Champions Aoife and Lisa O’Rourke. Maeve Madden returned, bringing Queens Don’t Quit to the main stage, while Sunday’s Run Club was led by Sole Mates founder Aoibhinn Raleigh.

Power‑posing workouts from House of Voga, live cooking with TV chef Erica Drum, and a spin session with Kevin Twomey of I’m Grand Mam fame rounded out a jam-packed Sunday programme.

The impressive line-up and subsequent numbers who attended to celebrate the festival’s 10th year is a testament to the dedication of its four founders – Fionnualla Cleary, Helena Ryan, Kate Ryan and Anthony Kelly – and the wider WellFest team.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner following WellFest, co-founder Kate Ryan said: “We’re incredibly proud. Reaching 10 years of WellFest is such a huge milestone, and to see it all come together so successfully over the weekend was really special. The energy across the site, the turnout, and the feedback from everyone who came along made all the hard work worthwhile.

“⁠What really set this year apart was the scale and variety of what was on offer. We had some amazing names from across the wellness industry, such as Maeve Madden, Kellie Harrington and Spencer Matthews, an incredible mix of speakers, and classes to suit absolutely everyone — whether you were a complete beginner or very experienced in fitness and wellbeing. There was truly something for every age, stage, and interest. Our sponsors were also amazing to work with and helped us put on a great show, so thank you to everyone involved.” 

Letting us in on the team’s secret as to how they manage to attract the best weather for festival weekend, Ryan said: “We have been incredibly lucky with the weather, and I don’t want to jinx it actually; I don't even like talking about it in case it goes downhill after this year.

“Seeing people relaxing in the sunshine, enjoying the activities, and soaking up the atmosphere added so much to the weekend. There was such a positive, uplifting vibe across the whole site and in every tent, and that’s exactly what WellFest is all about.” 

After marking a decade at IMMA in Dublin, WellFest will turn its focus to its next major milestone, debuting its first‑ever Northern Ireland edition at Ormeau Park, Belfast on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13.

Joe Wicks will headline the Belfast festival alongside his wife Rosie Wicks, joining a standout lineup that also includes Maeve Madden, Olympic and world champion gymnast Rhys McClenaghan, Belfast‑born therapist Owen O’Kane, and Irish Paralympic gold medallist Ellen Keane.

The first wave of acts announced for the September two-day festival also features former Gladiator contestant and now strength coach Glenn Wilkinson, fitness trainer Kathryn McKinstry, dietitian Cáoileánn Conway, breathwork therapist Carla McGreevy, House of Voga, the Kilted Yogi Finlay Thomas Wilson, with many more acts to be announced over the coming months.