While growing up in Ardattin, Co Carlow, the Irish actress (30) took part in many activities in Community Games as a child, including basketball, sprinting, and arts and cultural competitions.
She will now collaborate with the charity on initiatives to promote and inspire the next generation of young people to explore what the games can offer.
“I spent so many of my years as a child at Cairn Community Games. I grew up in a tiny little village called Ardattin and really the one thing that we all got involved in throughout the year was sport,” Ronan said.
“Sport was this incredible tool that we could all use to come together.”
Saoirse Ronan talking about her experience of Community Games.
Every year, the Games give an opportunity to 160,000 young people across local communities in Ireland, aged between six and 16, to develop active and healthy lives through sports and cultural activities.
The award-winning actor described the Cairn Community Games as an “incredibly inclusive place” when she was growing up and encouraged children across the country to get involved.
“It was something that every kid from the area was encouraged to get involved in and I’m sure it’s exactly the same now,” she said.
“I’m sure it’s developed into something even more amazing. I just think it’s a great thing that you’re doing. Doesn’t matter whether you win, whether you come third, whether you come last.
“The fact that you’re going out there and you’re doing something that’s a little bit scary but makes you feel kind of brilliant afterwards is just the best.”
Saoirse Ronan taking part in Community Games basketball.
In January, Ireland’s largest home and community builder Cairn announced a partnership with the Games as part of their four-year title sponsorship.
Cairn has committed to investing €3 million over four years in order to increase and broaden participation in the Games by 10pc – with hopes of rising from 160,000 to 176,000 young people.
Community Games is a voluntary organisation active in more than 430 towns and villages in every county in Ireland, which provides a wide range of sporting and cultural activities.
CEO of Community Games David Hoysted said the charity is “delighted to welcome Saoirse on board”.
“We are honoured that Saoirse would voice her support and we are deeply excited for what is to come,” he said.
“At Cairn Community Games, our aim is to develop sustainable communities, bettering the lives of young people through sport, arts, and culture.
“We are confident Saoirse will help us in achieving this vision.”
The Little Women star recently starred in The Outrun, filmed on the Orkney islands off the coast of Scotland, which was also her producing debut.
The film was co-produced by her Scottish husband Jack Lowden, whom she married on July 20 in a secret ceremony in Edinburgh.
