The weight is over... Powerlifting Open Nationals take place in Ashbourne

The best powerlifters in Ireland will be throwing their weight around at Open Nationals in the Pillo Hotel, Ashbourne this weekend.

The seven best in each weight class, over a hundred of the country’s best lifters, will be competing to see who is the best on 15th and 16th November. All lifters who compete at Nationals may be considered for selection to compete, but a qualifying total for international competitions will also be required.

Powerlifting is based around three different lifts; barbell back squat, bench press, and deadlift, with strict requirements on how each lift is completed.

Carrie Templeton from the Irish Powerlifting Federation (IrishPF), who will be competing next month for the second time at Nationals in the 84+kg category, said “They are fairly simple movements but during the competition each lifter takes three attempts at each of those three lifts. In order to get a qualifying total, the lifter has to complete at least one of those attempts to competition standard in each of those lifts”.

The sport has grown considerably in Ireland over recent years from just 364 members in 2019 to 844 members registered this year. The IrishPF are hoping to reach 1000 members which would allow them to register powerlifting as an official sport in Ireland. This has also meant the number of competitions they are hosting or participated has grown considerably, from eight competitions in 2016 to 26 in 2025.

In Templeton’s weight class only four competed last year but this has already jumped to a full seven competing this year, the most competitive it has been ever.

“We definitely want to get as many people in the door as possible,” she said. “We want to spread our love for powerlifting and get people excited about it.

“I think a lot of people just don’t know it and so we want to get as many eyes on it as possible.”

She said the Irish powerlifting community is “phenomenal” because of how it is “such a small and fairly close knit community its very close and very connected. Even when you’re competing with someone we are hyping one another up and doing a great time while you’re doing it.”

For those who are interested in getting into powerlifting, there are clubs in several colleges across the country including in DCU, TUD, and Trinity. There are also weekly or monthly check-ins with coaches who can give regular feedback for those who want to “see if powerlifting is for you”.

“it’s a fantastic sport with a fairly minimal barrier to entry”.

She encourages those interested in getting into the sport “to chat with coaches and lifters during the event to learn more about how different folks get into the sport and the different things that are available to them to support them”.

For those who want to view the competition, there is a €7.50 day pass, or €15 for the weekend, that are available here. There will also be a livestream people can view at €15 which can be accessed through the IrishPF Instagram page or their website.