The Irish Paralympic team has been a source of inspiration and pride, featuring a diverse group of athletes who have excelled across various sports. At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Ireland’s team consisted of 29 competitors, and they achieved remarkable success, winning seven medals including four golds, two silver and one bronze medal. The athletes have not only excelled in their respective sports but have also become advocates for inclusivity and accessibility, contributing to a broader dialogue on disability and sports and some have become keynote speakers at business conferences.
This year at The Paralympic 2024 games in Paris Ireland’s team will consist of 35 athletes will compete in 9 sports. Here are just some of the team to look out for:
Shauna Bocquet – Wheelchair racer in the 100m/400m/1500m
Originally from Clarinbridge, County Galway, Shuna was born with Spina Bifida and has been a wheelchair user since childhood. She developed a passion for sports from a young age; her first sport was basketball with Galway Speeders, before trying Para triathlon and before settling on wheelchair racing. Her dedication and natural talent quickly became evident, as she excelled in various national and international competitions. Shauna’s career highlights include winning numerous medals at the IWAS World Games in the 100m/400m/1500m and the European Para Youth Games. She has broken several records and established herself as a leading figure in Irish para-athletics.
Beyond her sporting success, Shauna has become a role model and advocate for people with disabilities. She actively promotes inclusion and accessibility in sports, often speaking about the importance of providing opportunities for all athletes, regardless of their physical abilities. According to the Irish Independent “when Craughwell AC opened its new tartan track last summer in Galway, there was never any question about who should get the big scissors. The village’s previous track was around the local primary school. It has since been replaced by classrooms but was always unsuitable for an athlete on wheels with big Paralympic dreams. During Covid lockdown, herself and her parents, Elaine and Loic (who is French), came up with a unique fundraising drive, the ’42 Challenge’ that kickstarted Craughwell’s latest addition. Over the month of October 2020, lots of locals rowed in to do fundraising challenges with variations on the 42 theme – swimming, golf, horse-riding, fitness tests. Rasing €50,000 in the process.” The rest of the money for the track came from government and sports grants.
Dearbhaile Brady – Swimmer
Born and raised in County Tyrone, Dearbhaile was born with Hypochondroplasia – a form of dwarfism at 16 Dearbhaile is one of Ireland’s youngest Para-atheletes. Dearbhaile began to get involved in para-swimming with her Limavady Swim Club from an early age. Specialising in the 50m freestyle, where she won a bronze medal in The European Championships in Portugal in April 2024, her first ever championship race.
Beyond her achievements on the track, Dearbhaile Brady is a staunch advocate for disability sports and inclusion.
She actively engages in community outreach, encouraging young people with disabilities to participate in sports and pursue their passions. Dearbhaile often shares her journey and experiences through public speaking and media appearances, emphasising the importance of perseverance and self-belief. In 2023 a Facebook page was launched to help raise money to get Dearbhaile to the Paralympics which proved to be very successful.
Cassie Cava – Triathlon
Born in Dublin originally before moving to the UK at an early age. Cassie was born with a club foot in both feet. Before having her leg amputated in 2015. Despite this life-changing event, Cassie’s resilience and determination propelled her into the world of adaptive sports. She quickly found her passion in para-snowboarding. Cassie competed for team GB at the highest levels, in numerous international competitions, including the Winter Paralympics.
In 2017 Cassie switched her allegiance to Ireland, and changed sport to the summer Paralympic Games and started competing in the Triathlon for Ireland. Cassie went on to win bronze at the 2018 and 2019 World Triathlon Grand Finals.
Cassie frequently shares her personal journey of overcoming adversity, aiming to inspire others facing similar challenges. Cassie actively engages with the community through motivational speaking and social media, where she promotes a message of positivity and perseverance.
Orla Comerford – Sprinter in 100m and 200m
Orla was born in Dublin and joined her local Raheny Shamrocks running club at an early age. Orla then developed Stargardt disease, a degenerative eye condition which caused her to go blind by the age of 10. She demonstrated exceptional athletic talent from a young age. Orla specialises in the T13 classification for athletes with visual impairments, competing primarily in the 100m and 200m sprints.
Her dedication and hard work have led her to represent Ireland at major international competitions, including the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
In addition to her Paralympic appearances, Orla has also competed in the World Para Athletics Championships, where she consistently performed at a high level, earning admiration for her speed and determination. Orla recently earned her PB and broken 12 seconds for the first time at The National Games in Santry.
According to Paralympics Ireland “Beyond her athletic success, Orla She has a degree in Fine Art Media from the National College of Art & Design (NCAD) and she currently works part time in the Irish Museum of Modern Art.”
Katie-George Dunlevy of Ireland, along with her pilot Eve McCrystal – Para-cycling
Katie-George Dunlevy and Eve McCrystal form a remarkable duo in the world of Paralympic cycling. Katie-George Dunlevy, born in Crawley, England, to Irish parents, has a visual impairment due to retinitis pigmentosa, which qualifies her for the Paralympic Tandem B events. The pair have competed in multiple Paralympic Games, including Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, where she achieved outstanding success. At Rio 2016, Dunlevy and her guide Eve McCrystal won gold in the time trial and silver in the road race, showcasing their incredible teamwork and endurance. They continued their winning streak in Tokyo 2020, securing another gold in the time trial and adding a silver medal in the road race, cementing their status as one of the top tandems in Paralympic cycling and in the process being awarded the convicted Team of the year Award at RTÉ Sport Awards 2021 the Galway Camogie team, Leinster Rugby, the Limerick Hurlers, Meath Ladies Footballers, Olympic rowing gold medal winners Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy, Shamrock Rovers, the Tyrone Footballers and the women’s four rowers, who won bronze at the Olympics
Eve McCrystal is an elite cyclist in her own right and a vital component of their success. Eve is a native of County Louth, she brings a wealth of experience and strength to the partnership. As the pilot, she not only steers the tandem bike but also provides the power and stability necessary for high-level competition.
Her background as a national champion in road racing and time trials enhances their performance, allowing them to compete and excel against the best in the world. The synergy between Katie-George and McCrystal is evident in their seamless coordination and mutual trust, both on and off the bike
Mary Fitzgerald – Shot Put
Born and raised in County Kilkenny, Mary was diagnosed with a visual impairment due to a genetic condition. From a young age Mary began to make a substantial impact in several para-sports, before going on to excel in the Shot Put. She made her Olympic debut in Tokyo in 2021 Her determination and dedication have earned her numerous accolades at national and international levels, showcasing her remarkable athletic abilities and reinforcing her role as a leading athlete in the Irish Paralympic community.
Beyond her athletic achievements, Mary is a part-time Occupational Therapist, graduating from University College Cork in June 2022. She actively engages in various initiatives aimed at improving accessibility and opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Her involvement with organisations dedicated to disability sports has played a crucial role in raising awareness and fostering a more inclusive environment. Fitzgerald’s work extends to public speaking and mentorship, where she shares her experiences and insights to inspire others facing similar challenges.
Colin Judge – Table Tennis
According to his LinkedIn page, “Colin Judge is constantly defying the odds. Despite being born with no legs and one arm, Colin has become a Paralympic table tennis player, motivational speaker, and actuarial analyst. He had a happy childhood and overcame numerous obstacles, thanks to his parents’ encouragement to be as independent as possible.
However, his teenage years were a different story. Struggling to cope with his disability, Colin had no confidence and hit rock bottom.
Realising he needed to change his situation, he sought a new focus and found it in table tennis. This discovery was transformative, leading him to accept himself and excel in various aspects of his life.
Colin made his international debut four years later while studying for his Leaving Cert. Shortly after, he achieved his first-choice course, Actuarial and Financial Studies, at UCD and graduated with a 2:1 degree. He worked as an actuary at KPMG for two years before taking a sabbatical in 2019 to chase his Paralympic dream. Colin is now the current European Champion, a six-time Irish National Champion, and has won numerous international titles. His next major goal is to qualify for Paris 2024. Beyond his athletic achievements, Colin shares his story globally, using his challenges to inspire others to push their limits and become the best versions of themselves”
Ellen Keane – Swimming
Ellen Keane is a distinguished Irish Paralympian swimmer in the 100m breaststroke. Ellen was born without a left arm below the elbow. Ellen’s dedication to the sport saw her debut in the Paralympic Games at the age of 13 during the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, making her one of Ireland’s youngest ever participants.
Now in her fifth Paralympics she won a bronze medal in the SB8 100m breaststroke at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, she then further solidified her status as a top-tier Paraswimmer by clinching a gold medal in the same event at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics
Beyond the pool, Ellen has also become a prominent advocate for people with disabilities, using her platform to inspire and effect change. She has been vocal about the importance of body positivity and self-acceptance, sharing her own journey of embracing her differences which can be seen in the ad for Allianz Insurance which she is an ambassador for.She engages in various public speaking events and media appearances, encouraging others to overcome challenges and pursue their passions. Her role as a motivational figure and her contributions to disability advocacy have earned her widespread respect and admiration. For example in this Irish Examiner profile where she discusses her “greatest challenge I’ve faced is definitely my own mind” or in this The Journal interview where she discussed getting messages from parents saying “ their child had been hiding her arm and now she wasn’t, after seeing my interview. That’s incredibly powerful. It makes me feel like I am part of a community and that I’m not alone”
Having released a book in 2024 called ‘Perfectly Imperfect’ Ellen confirmed to FM104 that she will retire after these games and she’s possibly thinking about moving into media saying “I would absolutely love to be in front of the cameras and to kind of be doing what you’re doing as well. I’ve been interviewed so many times myself, so I kind of want to ask the questions, but I think the first thing I’m gonna do is take a break. I need it and I think it’s important for me not to rush into anything as well. I deserve a little bit of a retirement”.
Chloe MacCombe – Para-triathlon
Born in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, Chloe was diagnosed with albinism, a genetic eye disorder that causes progressive vision loss. Chloe’s determination and passion for sports have driven her to excel in para-triathlon, which includes swimming, cycling, and running. Having started at the Tri Limits Triathlon Club alongside her twin sister, Judith, who serves as her guide in competitions, Chloe has achieved remarkable success on both national and international stages.
She volunteers for The RBNI, in her own words she “Trains various companies how to deal with clients with sight loss, using practical activities as well as lecture-based learning structures. Demonstrating and describing various eye diseases or impairments that people can be affected by; and how they affect day-to-day life. Training various companies how to deal with clients with sight loss, using practical activities as well as lecture-based learning structures. Demonstrating and describing various eye diseases or impairments that people can be affected by; and how they affect day-to-day life. Training various companies how to deal with clients with sight loss, using practical activities as well as lecture-based learning structures and Demonstrating and describing various eye diseases or impairments that people can be affected by; and how they affect day-to-day life”
Donnacha McCarthy – Para-triathlon
Donnacha’s journey from being unable to swim to becoming a Paralympic triathlon hopeful is a story of resilience and determination. Visually impaired since losing his sight completely, to leukaemia, when he was just 10, he also couldn’t swim., Donnacha faced significant challenges, including limited mobility and coordination. Donnacha developed a passion for sports early on, particularly enjoying running. However, swimming remained a daunting task. Determined to overcome this hurdle, Donnacha began swimming lessons in her early twenties.
Her perseverance paid off as she gradually improved her skills in the water.
This newfound ability, combined with his running background, led him to discover triathlon. Having sought guidance from experienced coaches to refine his technique and build his endurance.
Donnacha’s dedication soon translated into competitive success. He began participating in local triathlons, steadily improving his performance and gaining recognition in the para-athlete community. Donnacha actively encourages others with disabilities to pursue athletics, sharing his story to inspire and motivate. Dave Tilley was Donnacha’s first guide and coach. According to RTE “I told Donnacha that if he makes it to Paris I will cycle to see him,” revealed Dave.
Barry McClements – Swimmer
Born in Newtownards, Northern Ireland,was born with fibular hemimelia, where part of the fibula is missing; his right leg was amputated above the knee at 10 months old Barry demonstrated a natural talent for swimming from an early age. Barry specialises in freestyle, backstroke, and butterfly events and has represented both Ireland and Northern Irelan, winning a bronze medal at the European Championships despite swimming from lane 8. He also represented Ireland at the Paralympics in Tokyo in 2021
What’s even more remarkable that Barry is at the 2024 Paralympics is because according to this Irish Times article “My artificial leg came off, it just wasn’t fitted correctly, it’s not supposed to come off [like that],” recalls McClements. “I was walking down a steep hill and I think the momentum did it, my femur was fractured just at the bottom.
“The doctors hadn’t experienced anything like that with a stump. Some of them were saying I might not be back until April. I was crying and stuff, obviously.”
Barry was able to recover and 9 months later qualified for the Paralympic games.
Roisin Ni Riain – Swimming
Born in Limerick,Born with coloboma, an area of missing tissue in the eye which reduces her visual acuity and periphery. Displaying an exceptional aptitude for swimming from a young age. Roisin competes in multiple events, including freestyle, backstroke, and individual medley, consistently achieving impressive results.
Her breakthrough came at the 2021 European Para Swimming Championships, where she won multiple medals, according to Limerick Live “The Drombanna native had by far the busiest schedule of the week, with 6 races to contest, five of those with heat stages. She rose to the occasion and came home to Ireland with five medals: two gold, two silver and two bronze.”
This success earned her a spot on the Irish team for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, where she competed against the world’s best, further establishing herself as a formidable athlete.
University of Limerick studying for a science teaching degree she finished the article saying “I was very young, for Tokyo, but it was absolutely the experience of a lifetime. I suppose those games for me were about trying to take in the experience as much as possible, so hopefully I’ll be much more familiar when Paris comes around.
“But making five finals, I was really happy with the outcome of that, especially going in not know what to expect, and it being Covid times as well. Being so young, it was definitely the longest I’ve ever been from home, six weeks in all, but there were plenty of people on the team who had experienced all this in the past.”
Nicole Turner – Swimming
Born in Portarlington, County Laois, Turner was diagnosed with hypochondroplasia, a form of dwarfism. Nicole exhibited a passion for swimming from a young age and began training competitively when she was just nine years old at Portarlington Piranhas, before moving to Laois Marlins in Portlaoise. Her dedication and hard work quickly paid off, and she soon rose through the ranks to become one of Ireland’s most promising young athletes.
Nicole specialises in butterfly, freestyle, and individual medley events, where her speed and technique have consistently earned her top honours.Her breakthrough moment came at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, where, at just 14 years old, she competed in five events and reached the finals in each, showcasing her extraordinary talent on the world stage. In 2021, Nicole’s hard work culminated in winning a silver medal in the 50m butterfly at the Tokyo Paralympic Games, solidifying her status as one of Ireland’s top Paralympic athletes. Her journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the impact that sports can have on personal development and societal change.
Speaking to The Irish Independent she said “ I think these Games will be special in a way. Friends and family will be there. And I won’t lie, I do feel pressure now. I always make a joke and say I wish I was my 14-year-old self now because when I was 14, I did not feel the pressure, did not feel nerves.
“Since I’ve got older, I’ve seen the more serious side. And not that other people are putting pressure on me, but I have a goal and expectation and want to exceed it. Pressure does come with that.”
Tom Williamson – Para-triathlon
Born with a physical disability, Tom competes in the T38 category, a classification for athletes with cerebral palsy, and has made significant strides in track and field events. His dedication to the sport and rigorous training regime have propelled him to the forefront of Paralympic athletics, where he has earned accolades and respect from peers and fans alike. Williamson’s success is a testament to his resilience, determination, and the supportive framework of the Irish Paralympic community.
Beyond his athletic prowess, Williamson’s influence extends to his role as a motivational figure and advocate for athletes with disabilities. His story underscores the importance of inclusivity and accessibility in sports, and he actively participates in initiatives to raise awareness and foster opportunities for others facing similar challenges. By sharing his experiences and achievements, Williamson not only inspires aspiring athletes but also contributes to the broader dialogue on disability and sport. His commitment to excellence both on and off the track highlights the transformative power of sports in overcoming personal and societal barriers, making him a remarkable ambassador for the Paralympic movement.