Westmeath's fifth Yoga Picnic attracts more than 2,000 attendees

Organisers of The Yoga Picnic described the fifth staging of the annual event at Lilliput House in Westmeath as "a magical celebration of wellness, community and nourishment".

The event on Saturday involved yoga classes, meditation, live cooking, and music, with more than 2,000 men, women, and children from all walks of life in attendance.

The Yoga Picnic began as a grassroots gathering of 120 people but has grown into a world-class international wellbeing sanctuary.

People gathered under the open sky to celebrate the spirit of wellbeing and connection, creating an atmosphere that was both invigorating and peaceful.

Attendee Charlotte Wilson who flew in from Canada for the event said: "The Yoga Picnic filled my heart with joy and a sense of community. I came with my friend and my little baby and we had such a wonderful time. It was a magical and meaningful day that I will cherish for a long time."

The one-day yoga and wellbeing festival returned to the scenic shores of Lough Ennell for its fifth year. Building on the success of previous years, this year’s landmark festival showcased an expanded lineup of international and Irish yoga teachers, holistic therapies, interactive culinary spaces, and pioneering sustainable initiatives, ensuring an enriching experience for all guests.

Participants enjoyed a unique experience of holistic wellness, fostering connections between friends old and new, and celebrating the benefits of yoga and mindful living.

Founded and organised by three friends and yoga teachers - Mary Gardiner, Alice Harrison, and Katy Harrison - the festival transformed Lilliput House into a magical step away from the busy-ness of life.

Featuring over 100 experiences across the day, guests attended classes with international yoga luminaries Tara Judelle, Michael James Wong, Adam Husler, and Hannah Barrett, along with a host of renowned Irish practitioners, leading diverse classes catering to all levels.

Another highlight of this year's anniversary event was the debut of the ‘Cook With Kia Kitchen’, a dedicated interactive food space where nourishment took centre stage alongside movement. Visitors pulled up a seat for a packed programme of live cookery demonstrations from Ireland's thriving food community, including Ciara Turley (@thetummyfairy), Alannah Sheehan (@worthfightingfor), Irish Mammy Cooks, Samantha Forrest, Eimear Simms and Jörg Müller.

Festival-goers also embraced several new features, including a brand-new Reformer Pilates Tent and the enchanting woodland venue, Ceol sa Choill, which delivered an unforgettable evening atmosphere dancing beneath the trees with sets from DJ Zaneta and DJ Medalla to celebrate The Yoga Picnic’s 5th Birthday celebration.

Families were catered to with specialised children's yoga sessions and family activities. Meanwhile, the much-loved lakeside Uisce Spa returned, allowing guests to rejuvenate in wood-fired saunas, hot tubs, and invigorating cold-water immersion experiences.

As the sun began to set over Lough Ennell, festival-goers gathered by the water's edge for the signature concert led by musician, folklorist, and yoga teacher Jack Harrison, blending music, storytelling, and Celtic tradition into a deeply moving and soulful concert.

This year’s festival continued to prioritise and integrate eco-conscious practices. All festival tents were sustainably powered by Kia’s electric vehicle-to-load (V2L) technology, significantly reducing both noise and carbon emissions.

The festival also maintained a site-wide plastic ban, offering refillable water stations and compostable containers, and continued to reduce its carbon footprint through environmental initiatives and encouraging carpooling.

Alongside the artisan market, which featured eco-friendly products from Irish crafters, the Kia Sustainable Marketplace showcased a number of brilliant, sustainable small Irish businesses, with attendees loving the conscious shopping experience.

Yoga Picnic founders Mary, Alice, and Katy expressed their heartfelt gratitude to sponsors, partners, vendors, volunteers, and all the guests who contributed to making this fifth-anniversary event a memorable celebration of mind, body, and spirit.

They said the event will return next year and will continue to celebrate the power of yoga while also promoting mental health, sustainability, and environmental awareness.