News

Athletes, delegations and dignitaries at the 2026 Ireland Summer Games Launch

Special Olympics Ireland Summer Games Countdown Begins as Athletes Lead Inspiring Launch Event

The journey to the 2026 Summer Games began in spectacular fashion today at the National Indoor Arena on the National Sports Campus, Blanchardstown, as athletes, partners, volunteers and supporters gathered to celebrate the official launch of the Special Olympics Ireland Summer Games 2026.

Group photo of Special Olympics Ireland staff, athletes, and representatives from the Golisano Foundation and Special Olympics international organisations standing outside the Special Olympics Ireland headquarters.

Special Olympics Ireland Welcomes Golisano Foundation Delegation to Showcase Inclusive Health Programmes

Representatives from the Golisano Foundation and Special Olympics global leadership visited Ireland to see inclusive health initiatives in action and meet the athletes and partners driving this work forward.

Kelly Fitzgerald receiving the County Cork award. Pictured with Minister Charlie McConalogue, Shane McArdle from Dun Laoghaire- Rathdown Sports Partnership and Clare McGrath the Federation Chairperson.png

Kelly Fitzgerald and Naas Pythons Club honoured at Volunteers in Sport Awards

On Thursday 26th February, the efforts of Special Olympics Ireland volunteers were highlighted with two award wins at the Federation of Irish Sport Volunteers in Sport Awards at the Crowne Plaza, Blanchardstown.

This image shows Kelly Fitzgerald, a volunteer and coach with Special Olympics Ireland. She is wearing her uniform as one of the Assistant Gymnastics Coaches for Team Ireland at the 2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Berlin.

Kelly Fitzgerald to be honoured at the 2025 Volunteers in Sport Awards

Special Olympics volunteer Kelly Fitzgerald of Owenabue Special Olympics Club is one of 36 volunteers to be honoured at the 2025 Volunteers in Sport Awards by the Federation of Irish Sport!

This image shows the stage at the 2026 Sport for Business event "Sporting Year Ahead". It features host Rob Hartnett interviewing three Special Olympics Ireland athletes in a round-table discussion format.

Ireland Games Highlighted at Sporting Year Ahead Event

We were proud to be invited to the Sports for Business - Sporting Year Ahead event yesterday, hosted by the wonderful Rob Hartnett, who generously gave our CEO, Karen Coventry and three of our incredible athletes — Dara Kiernan (Badminton), Chris Byrne (Football), and Jacob McKenna (Swimming) — centre stage at the closing of the event to speak about the upcoming Ireland Summer Games.

Ireland Summer Games 2026: Be a part of the action!

The Special Olympics Ireland Games, Ireland’s largest inclusive sporting event takes place on 18–21st June 2026. Over 1,200 athletes will compete across 12 sports over four action-packed days, alongside MATP, Young Athletes and Healthy Athletes events - all powered by thousands of volunteers and supporters.

This image shows Special Olympics Ireland CEO Karen Coventry Minister of State Charlie McConologue Chairperson of Hockey Ireland Niamh Byrne and CEO of Hockey Ireland Anne McCormack.

Special Olympics signs Memorandum of Understanding with Hockey Ireland

Special Olympics Ireland and Hockey Ireland have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The signing of the Memorandum was celebrated at the FIH Hockey Pro League event in Dublin.

This image features dental students performing dental health checks for the Healthy Athletes Special Smiles programme at UCC.

Healthy Athletes Special Smiles dental screening promotes health access

This image shows a full team photo of athletes with certificates - Weight Lifting Programme.

Weight Lifting Programme - 8 Week Pilot A Great Success!

Our athletes dedicated a full 8 weeks to learning Olympic Style weight lifting and they did not dissapoint! This brilliant pilot with Weight Lifting Ireland was a huge success, with athletes showing skill, grit and ability in every lesson and lift!

This image shows a team photo in South Galway - Swimming Gala Team Photo with certificates.

Team South Galway - Swim Meet - A Succesful Splash!

Read all about Team South Galways Swim meet, the athletes personal bests, and which other teams came to compete & enjoy the day!

Limerick Special Olympics Swimmer - Graduates from UCC

Leeside Legends - Celebrate 20th Anniversary! (Douglas, Cork)

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