News

Following an energising and inspiring Opening Ceremony on Thursday evening, where President Catherine Connolly shared a heartfelt message of good luck with the athletes, Day 1 of the competitions delivered moments of excitement, pride, and celebration - offering a brilliant glimpse of what is yet to come.

One athlete who didn’t let the weather dampen his determination was Ruari O’Toole from Spiddal, who placed third in kayaking for Team Connaught.

The first full day of competition in the 2026 Special Olympics Ireland Games was a triumph of skill, determination, team spirit, and infectious energy.

Watch our Video Highlight and experience the action, magic and atmosphere of the Ireland Games, all at your fingertips. From unforgettable moments to inspiring performances, immerse yourself in the heart of the Games wherever you are.

Special Olympics Ireland is delighted to be the recipient of the 2026 Irish Sport Industry Award for Best Initiative to Promote Disability in Sport & Physical Activity.

Special Olympics Ireland officially launched its new Motor Activity Training Programme (MATP) Activity Guide on Friday 15th May with the team at Avista, Saint Vincent’s Centre Gym in Dublin. The Guide is intended for coaches working with athletes who have complex and higher support needs, and features a variety of movement, activity and training ideas to help coaches work with athletes in new and dynamic ways. This is a prime example of our movement's commitment to inclusion in action.

Our biggest fundraising event of the year returns for 2026 - mark your calendar and get involved!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.