Uplift Your Summer: Looking Back on the History of the Community Games

We’ve all taken part! The Community Games were established in Walkinstown, Dublin in 1967, “when Joseph Connolly mobilised a handful of adults who then came together and formed a committee to deal with the problems of lack of leisure time activities for young people”.

And it's still going strong today. We're looking back at the history of the Community Games and its part in Irish culture.

The Community Games is an independent voluntary organisation that provides amazing opportunities for young people to develop a positive and healthy way of life while experiencing many sporting and cultural activities.

The games promote a sense of community and pride across the island and are a non political and non-sectarian operating at four levels - Area, County, Provincial and National.

The first Dublin Finals took place in August 1968 with 3,000 young people from 24 community areas participating.

As its founder Joseph Connolly once said:

"Community Games can be quite proud of its immense achievements in a wide range of interests and, indeed, positive community developments. Community Games is a truly developing organisation spreading good-will and healthy involvement for the benefit of all."

They now have some 200,000 participants in the games with over 10,000 volunteers across the 32 counties.

7-Up Free is asking people to submit what will uplift their summer. They will be giving away lots of prizes throughout the summer for the best entries. To be in with a chance to win people can enter via Twitter using the hashtag #upliftmysummer or they can enter via Facebook or the website www.7up.ie. Whether they want a weekly Friday ice cream to brighten their day or tickets to one of the hottest festivals in Europe, the 7-Up Free team might just make it happen!