Officials, organisers and volunteers at the 2026 World Sport Arnis Championships in Firhouse and
(inset): action from the tournament
Firhouse hosts historic world Arnis c’ships
FIRHOUSE made history this October by playing host to the prestigious 2026 World Sport Arnis Championships.
From Oct 2nd to 4th the Firhouse Community and Leisure Centre was transformed into a Global Arena for Filipino Martial Arts as it welcomed over 100 International Fighters representing Ireland, GB, France, Netherlands, Poland, Hungary, Norway and USA
Sport ARNIS is a dynamic Filipino Martial Art that emphasizes weapon based fighting using special rattan sticks, and padded sticks.
As the National martial art and sport of the Philippines, it demands extreme xxxxxspeed, precision and strategic thinking,
fostering both physical prowess and deep mental discipline in its practitioners.
In competition, athletes face off in both choreographed weapons forms (Anyo) and high intensity combat divisions, showcasing a rich cultural heritage transformed into a modern fast-paced tournament sport.
Hosting an event of this magnitude was a massive honour for the local community. It solidifies South Dublin’s reputation as a welcoming hub for International Sport.
The atmosphere throughout the three days was electric. Competitors showcase incredible agility, precision and strategic thinking across weapon forms, padded sticks and padded knives and traditional rattan stick divisions.
For local spectators it provided a rare, exciting and thrilling look into the heritage of Filipino stick fighting.
The event was a phenomenal home success, with the Ireland Arnis Team delivering a spectacular performance at the country’s first World Championships and winning nine gold, seven silver and 18 bronze medals—a testament to the strength of the local development programme.
Beyond the medal haul, the weekend achieved its ultimate goal: uniting athletes under the banner “One Family, One Sport, One Legacy” and establishing a lasting presence for Filipino martial arts in Ireland.
The historic arrival of the World Championships in Dublin connects directly to Guru Liam McDonald, the visionary tournament organizer and driving force behind the event. Guru Liam spent years coordinating with Global Bodies to anchor the premier competition to South Dublin.
His leadership not only placed Firhouse at the very centre of the Martial Arts World, this October but also guided the National Irish Arnis Team to historic medal haul, cementing the Irish team as one of the great Arnis Teams in Europe.
Weekly Filipino Martial Arts training is available in Firhouse and Adamstown, for more info contact Liam 0879956569.
