Thousands of teen girls celebrate fun, freedom and movement at Her Moves Festival
More than 1,500 teenage girls from over 35 schools came together in the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena for the first-ever Her Moves Festival — a dynamic, one-day celebration of movement designed by and for teenage girls.
As part of the national Her Moves campaign, this landmark event represents a new chapter in empowering teenage girls to get active on their own terms.
Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy Charlie McConalogue said: “It’s inspiring to be here among all these brilliant teenagers who are showing us what the future of movement looks like — fun, fearless, and on their own terms.
“The Her Moves Festival isn’t about being “sporty”; it’s about creating a positive, inclusive culture where every girl feels confident to move in a way that works for her. The demand for this event, and the energy here today, shows how important it is that we continue to invest in opportunities like this for our young people.”
A standout feature of the day was the Main Stage Talks, emceed by sports journalist and broadcaster Marie Crowe, which saw an inspiring line-up of speakers share their stories.
Paralympic rowers Katie O’Brien and Tiarnán O’Donnell captivated the crowd with their journeys in elite sport, while Molly Erin, an outdoor enthusiast and teacher, spoke about how embracing adventure and nature could reduce anxiety.
Thammy Nguyen, a Her Moves ambassador and the first Irish weightlifter to win a senior medal at the European Weightlifting Championships, shared her experience of balancing sport with motherhood and business. Meanwhile, Olympic boxer Gráinne Walsh spoke about Body Confidence.
Sport Ireland CEO Dr Úna May said: “The Her Moves Festival is not just a celebration — it’s a statement of intent. It reflects the vision of Sport Ireland’s Women in Sport Policy to drive greater visibility, sustained participation and real cultural change for women and girls in sport.
“Teenage girls are at the centre of everything we do for Her Moves, and it’s our collective responsibility to build the systems, environments and opportunities where they can see what’s possible and feel empowered to take part.”
Aside from the Main Stage experience, there was also the Try It Zone. This area offered girls a chance to sample more than 20 sporting activities, from volleyball, rowing, roller skating and boxing to wheelchair rugby, athletics, golf, badminton, and more.
However, today’s festival was about more than sport - it was about fun, freedom and friendship through movement. It was made possible through the support of a powerful network of Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs), National Governing Bodies (NGBs), coaches, and community leaders.
Unique elements such as The Useless Project’s sustainability station, the Braid Brigade’s slicked-back hair tutorials, interactive social media challenges, and spot prizes all contributed to an atmosphere that was playful and inclusive - and driven by the voices of teenage girls themselves.
Michelle Tanner, Sport Ireland Board Member and Chair of Women in Sport Committee, said: “Today’s festival is a shining example of what happens when we listen to teenage girls, involve them in shaping the experience, and create spaces where they feel confident and supported to move in ways that suit them. What we’ve witnessed here today is exactly the kind of vibrant, inclusive experience we need to deliver more of across the country.”
About Her Moves
Since its launch, Her Moves has worked to reach and engage teenage girls across Ireland.
The campaign has delivered more than 125 regularly occurring programmes through NGBs and LSPs, engaging over 10,000 girls directly in fun, inclusive movement experiences.
The campaign’s educational outreach has also gained momentum, with 111 schools registering for the ‘Her Moves: Supporting Teenage Girls in Sport’ online workshop, a first-of-its-kind initiative created specifically for teenage girls.
Visibility has been a cornerstone of the campaign’s impact, with over 23,000 Period Positive Posters — co-designed with teenage girls — displayed in over 3,000 sports clubs, centres and community spaces, promoting open conversations and a more supportive environment for girls in sport.
A standout success of the campaign has been the creation of ‘It’s Complicated’, a powerful campaign video co-designed with teenage girls, unpacking the complicated relationship girls have with sport and showcasing Her Moves as a practical, inclusive solution. The video has resonated widely, achieving over 40 million digital impressions across social and digital channels.
The Her Moves Festival is a proud celebration of the campaign’s growing movement — one powered by girls, for girls — creating new spaces for teenage girls to move, connect and thrive.
For more information on the Her Moves campaign, visit www.hermoves.ie.
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