Special Olympics Ireland - History
42 years ago, through a vision born in her own backyard, Eunice Kennedy Shriver established Special Olympics - an organisation that would grow into a global movement and change the lives of millions. Today 3 million athletes in more than 180 countries around the world benefit from being involved with Special Olympics.
Special Olympics Ireland was founded in 1978. Over the past 33 years the organisation has grown significantly and today has over 11,000 athletes participating in 15 sports in more than 440 Clubs throughout the island of Ireland. They are supported by a network of more than 18,000 volunteers, making Special Olympics one of the largest voluntary organisations in Ireland.
Currently Special Olympics Ireland offers the following sports: Alpine Skiing, Aquatics, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Bocce, Bowling, Equestrian, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Kayaking, Pitch & Putt, Table Tennis, Floorball as well as offering a comprehensive Motor Activities Training Programme (MATP).
In addition to providing sports training and competition, Special Olympics Ireland also incorporates the Athlete Leadership Programme (ALPs), the Family Support Programme, Healthy Athlete and Volunteer Programme.
Special Olympics Ireland Milestones
| 1978 |
Special Olympics Ireland founded |
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1985
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Telecom Eireann become official sponsor of Special Olympics Ireland
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1986
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Special Olympics Ireland Games held in Belfast
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1987
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Team Ireland, sponsored by Telecom Eireann participate at Special Olympics World Summer Games, South Bend, Indiana
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1988
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Special Olympics celebrates 10 years in Ireland
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1988/89
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1st Special Olympics Clubs formed
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1989
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Mary Davis appointed Regional Director of Special Olympics Ireland.
First Irish Torch Run in association with An Garda Siochana - raised £97,000. This money provided grants for setting up first Special Olympics clubs |
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1990
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Coach and Volunteer Training Schools begins in St Patrick’s Teacher Training College.
Second Torch Run sponsored by Telecom Eireann raising £111,000.
Team Ireland participate at European Games Strathclyde, Scotland
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1991
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Team Ireland attend Special Olympics World Summer Games, Minneapolis
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1995
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1996
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3rd Torch Run historically involved both Polices forces, Garda Siochana & RUC, The torch crossing the border at Killeen Cross and being handed from one police force to the other made international news headlines
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1997
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Special Olympics Ireland, Each One, Reach One Roadshow, (athletes and their families are asked to introduce at least one new athlete to SO during this campaign).
Team Ireland participate for the first time at Special Olympics World Winter Games in Toronto.
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1999
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Team Ireland participate in Special Olympics World Summer Games, North Carolina.
2003 World Games bid, led by Mary Davis, successful
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2001
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Team Ireland participate in Special Olympics World Winter Games, Anchorage, Alaska
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2003
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Special Olympics World Summer Games, Dublin. eircom designated sponsor of the Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run |
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2006
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Special Olympics Ireland Games, Belfast.
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2007
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Team Ireland participate in 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games, Shanghai, China.
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2008
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30th Anniversary of Special Olympics Ireland. Events held in communities throughout Ireland.
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2009
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Team Ireland attend Special Olympics World Winter Games, Idaho
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2010
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25th Anniversary of eircom sponsorship.
2010 Special Olympics Ireland Games, Limerick
Team Ireland participate at 2010 Special Olympics European Summer Games taking place from September 18 -24 in Warsaw
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| 2011 |
126 Team Ireland athletes travel to the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens, Greece. |