The journey to the 2026 Summer Games began in spectacular fashion on Thursday, March 5th, at the National Indoor Arena on the National Sports Campus, Blanchardstown, Dublin, as athletes, partners, volunteers and supporters gathered to celebrate the official launch of the Special Olympics Ireland Summer Games 2026.
The vibrant event marked the start of the countdown to June, when more than 1,200 athletes from across the island will come together for the largest inclusive sporting event on the island of Ireland.
Athletes took centre stage throughout the launch, with athlete leaders Dara Kiernan, Ashwin Maliyakal, and Francis Donnelly serving as MCs and bringing energy, confidence and pride to the event as the official Faces of the Games.
UNITY, SOLIDARITY AND SUPPORT
A highlight of the launch was the powerful parade of athletes, where delegations from the five regions – Connaught, Eastern, Leinster, Munster and Ulster – entered the arena to enthusiastic cheers from the assembled guests, proudly representing communities from across the island.
The parade also featured the symbolic arrival of the Torch of Hope, carried jointly by Assistant Commissioner Jonathon Roberts of An Garda Síochána and Sergeant Shane Tohill of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, representing the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. Accompanying them were Constable Victoria Montgomery (PSNI) and Garda Graham Doolan carrying the historic Miner’s Lamp – a powerful symbol of unity, solidarity and support for athletes.
Speaking at the launch, Special Olympics Ireland Chairperson Brendan O’Brien highlighted the wider significance of the Games, speaking of the transformative power of sport: “to envision a world where inclusion is a tangible reality, where every athlete is afforded the opportunity to belong, to learn, and to unearth their unique potential.”
JUNE 18TH-21ST
At the launch, Alex Moloney, a Team Munster swimming athlete from Limerick, said:
“I am going to be competing in swimming, representing Team Munster in Special Olympics Swimming. I feel really grateful that I got such a huge opportunity. I’m looking forward to doing my best and to compete on a national stage – and also to make new friends, and to see my family members as well at my races!”
The Summer Games will take place from 18th to 21st June and will see athletes compete across 12 sports while also taking part in the Motor Activities Training Program, health programmes, leadership initiatives and the Young Athletes Festival.
The Games are made possible through the support of partners including Stena Line, eir, Gala, and Aer Lingus, alongside hundreds of volunteers and community supporters across the island.
As excitement builds towards June, Special Olympics Ireland invite the public to be a part of the action through volunteering and supporting the athletes who are training hard for their moment on the Games stage.
Learn more at https://irelandgames.ie/
