7 week schedule of interactive workshops to help attendees improve their health and fitness through lockdown

WellFest, Ireland’s first and largest health, fitness and wellness festival, is to launch a virtual 7-week event series starting on Tuesday, February 16^th. Following the success of its virtual festival experience in September which utilised innovative new software “Hopin”, the festival will host further events on the fully interactive platform in partnership with KBC.

The new 7-week programme, which comes at only €5 per evening with 10% of the proceeds being donated to WellFest charity partner Barretstown, will include educational workshops on topics such as mental health, gut health, breathwork, sleep and fitness. International health and fitness experts running the sessions include registered nutritionist Sophie Bertrand, breathing coach and Wim Hof instructor Níall Ó Murchú, sleep physiologist Motty Varghese, yoga instructor Maura Rath, fitness and nutrition expert Ben Coomber, chartered psychologist Kimberley Wilson, and personal trainers Dominic Munnelly and Nathalie Lennon among others. The virtual events will take place on Tuesday evenings starting on February 16^th from 7pm and will consist of two consecutive workshops per night.

Commenting on the new programme, Katie Ryan, co-founder of WellFest said: “We are delighted to launch this new virtual event series in partnership with KBC, bringing together some of the best experts from Ireland and abroad. Health and a sense of community have never been more important. Despite the current challenges, we have been determined to adapt our business to keep the WellFest experience alive for our amazing community. The events of the past year have hit everyone hard. We hope to help attendees feel good through this educational series on topics we think are really relevant at this time.

“Following the success of our virtual festival last year, we’re excited to use innovative event platform Hopin again. The fully interactive platform will allow attendees to follow the workshops in real-time while connecting with their friends and workshop leaders, while also being able to explore the online marketplace from the brands involved.”

Aidan Power,Director of Marketing Communications and Corporate Affairs at KBC Bank Ireland: “We are delighted to again collaborate with WellFest in bringing the community a new virtual event series which features a strong online programme over seven weeks with some of the best local and international health and fitness experts. Now more than ever, the health and wellbeing of the communities we live and work in is so important and KBC are delighted to play an active role in ensuring communities can continue to access events like this virtually. We are really looking forward to the virtual event series and hope that you can join us for the seven weeks.”

Programme schedule

The programme kicks off on 16^th  February with breathwork coach Níall Ó Murchú’s Destress and balance, providing tools to help attendees manage stress and anxiety. This session will be followed by Yinto your PJs, a slow and meditative Yin yoga class by Grace Tempany. On 23^rd  February, LloydsPharmacy hosts The sleep clinic, bringing sleep physiologist Motty Varghese to help attendees Optimise sleep for health and productivity followed by Maura Rath’s Bedtime yoga flow. Gym+Coffee hosts Nourish your mind on 2nd March providing practical mental health tips from chartered psychologist Kimberley Wilson CPsychol and ending on Transform your relationship with food by registered nutritionist Sophie Bertrand BSC MSc RNutr.

Series presenting partner KBC will host its Wellness for your wallet sessions each evening in the series, presented by journalist and financial wellness expert Sinead Ryan. The mini sessions will provide attendees with practical bite-size tips on ways to make a difference to their financial health.

Other programme highlights include the Fuel and fitness evening in partnership with Glenisk on 9th March featuring a talk and Q&A from fitness and nutrition expert Ben Coomber followed by a fitness workshop. On 16th March, skincare takes centre stage with a Skin health masterclass including skin therapist Agnes Gajewska’s Follow-along facial. Ceder's Non Alcoholic Gin will bring a Mindful moments evening on the 23rd of March, featuring a meditation circle and Q&A with yoga and mindfulness teacher Lee Tracey, followed by a cocktail demonstration from Ceder's ambassador Andrew Dickey. The series will conclude with Move well: mobility and fitness on 30th March from personal trainers Dominic Munnelly and Nathalie Lennon.

How to book

Tickets to each evening in the series are €5 with 10% of the proceeds being donated to WellFest charity partner Barretstown. WellFest is running a scheme to help those that would like to attend but do not currently have the means to do so. Anyone in this position can email the team on hello@wellfest.ie to request a ticket for their preferred event. For more information and to book, visit wellfest.ie