18/06/2026
The piece below was written by Deirdre Keaveney, a familiar face around the Don Ash club through her many years of service and support. With her son Conor competing at the Special Olympics Ireland Summer Games, Deirdre shares an insight into this wonderful event and the local athletes taking part. 💚💛
The Special Olympics Ireland Summer Games usually take place every 4 years. However because of Covid this is the 1st Games since 2018.
There are 5 Regions involved:
Ulster
Connacht
Munster
Eastern
Leinster
The games take place from Thurs 18th to Sun 21st in sporting venues all over Dublin. The athletes travel from all over Ireland tomorrow to their accommodation venues in UCD and Maynooth Student accommodation. They're then bussed every day to their competition venues. It all kicks off with the Opening Ceremony tomorrow night in Tallaght Stadium.
It's a huge event:
1277 Athletes
500 - 600 volunteer coaches
12 different sports competitions
2000 volunteers
Club Ash our local Special Olympics Sports Club is delighted to have 5 of our athletes and 1 coach taking part for Leinster.
Conor Keaveney - 7 a-side soccer
Karl Bourke - 7 a-side soccer
Eoin Carey - Athletics
Wayne Farrell - Athletics
Bryan McLoughlin - Athletics
All sporting events are open to the public and are free of charge.
Soccer Venue is FAI pitches in Abbotstown
Athletics in Morton Stadium, Santry
The athlete oath for Special Olympics is
"LET ME WIN. BUT IF I CANNOT WIN LET ME BE BRAVE IN THE ATTEMPT."
These athletes are inspiring, please come along and support them.