HAPPYFEST CELEBRATES FIVE YEARS OF BRINGING JOY, CONNECTION AND WELLBEING TO NORTHERN IRELAND

As HappyFest prepares to celebrate its fifth year this August, founder of HappyFest, Ciara Daly, believes the festival’s mission has never been more relevant.

What started as a small wellbeing event has grown into one of Northern Ireland’s leading wellness festivals, welcoming thousands of people from across the province to explore health, fitness, nutrition, personal development, mindfulness, holistic wellbeing and community connection.

This year’s event comes at a time when many people are feeling overwhelmed, disconnected and uncertain. Communities across Northern Ireland have experienced increasing tensions and challenges in recent months, while many individuals continue to struggle with stress, anxiety, loneliness, poor physical health and the pressures of modern life.

For Ciara, these challenges highlight why creating positive spaces for people to come together has never been more important.

“At a time when division seems louder than ever, we need more spaces that bring people together. Places where we can connect, learn from one another, have meaningful conversations, share a laugh and remember what unites us rather than what separates us. That’s what HappyFest has always been about, and that’s why its mission feels more important than ever.”

The need for events that promote wellbeing is reflected in the challenges facing Northern Ireland today. Northern Ireland continues to experience some of the highest levels of mental ill-health in the UK, while rates of obesity and lifestyle-related illnesses continue to rise. More and more adults report struggling with stress, anxiety, loneliness and burnout, while growing numbers of children and young people are facing challenges with confidence, resilience, anxiety and overall wellbeing. For Ciara, these issues are deeply connected.

“We often talk about mental health and physical health as if they’re separate things, but they’re not. The way we move, eat, sleep, connect with others and spend our time all impacts how we feel.

As parents, leaders and members of our communities, we have a responsibility to show the next generation another way. We need to demonstrate the importance of looking after our wellbeing, moving our bodies, understanding nutrition, spending time outdoors, having meaningful conversations and building real-life connections. If we want happier communities, we need to create opportunities for people to come together. We need places where people feel seen, supported and inspired.”

HappyFest has become known for bringing together inspirational speakers, fitness professionals, wellbeing experts, local businesses, charities and community organisations in a positive and uplifting environment that encourages people to invest in their health, happiness and personal growth. Ciara believes wellbeing should be proactive rather than reactive.

“Too often we wait until we’re burnt out, overwhelmed or unwell before we make changes. HappyFest is about giving people the inspiration, tools and support to make positive changes before they reach that point.

It’s also about reminding people that wellbeing doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it’s as simple as moving your body, learning something new, spending time with good people, finding purpose and creating more moments of joy in your life.”

Taking place on Sunday 16th August at Malone House, Belfast, HappyFest will bring together inspirational speakers, fitness experts, wellness practitioners, family-friendly activities, local exhibitors and community organisations for a day dedicated to helping people live happier, healthier and more fulfilled lives. The festival’s fifth anniversary represents an important milestone for Ciara, who founded HappyFest with a vision of creating a happier, healthier Northern Ireland.

“Five years ago, I had a vision of creating an event that would bring people together and remind people that wellbeing matters. Five years later, that vision feels more relevant than ever. We cannot always control what is happening around us, but we can choose how we respond. We can choose kindness. We can choose compassion. We can choose community.

HappyFest is a celebration of everything that is good about Northern Ireland, our resilience, our warmth, our ability to support one another and our desire to create a better future for ourselves and our children.When people feel healthier, happier and more connected, communities become stronger too.”

HappyFest 2026 takes place on Sunday 16th August at Malone House, Belfast from 12pm–6pm.

For further information, media enquiries or interview requests, please contact:

Ciara Daly

Founder, HappyFest