Paralympian and co-founding member of Vision Sports Ireland, Joe Geraghty, has been named as the new President of Vision Sports Ireland.
As an athlete he has won eight Irish national track titles as well as winning three UK national gold medals from 1981 to 1985. In 1983 he won silver at 5000m at the IBSA European Games in Bulgaria and subsequently represented Ireland at the 1984 Paralympic Games in the USA.
Off the track Joe has dedicated his life to supporting the work of Vision Sports Ireland serving in numerous roles over five decades. One of his many highlights was acting as Secretary for the IBSA European Games held in Dublin in 1993. He has been a key figure in bringing blind and vision impaired sport to where it is today in this country.
Speaking on his appointment Joe said, “What an honour to be appointed President of Vision Sports Ireland, the sport and leisure national governing body which does so much for me, so much for thousands of blind and vision impaired people. I am humbled to succeed the late Prof. Michael O’Keeffe, a wonderful friend, the miracle man who championed sight loss in Ireland and beyond. In a lifetime of living and loving sport, from the running track to the sports admin desk, I have come to understand that every obstacle can be overcome. Vision Sports Ireland, with its parent body Vision Ireland, have the tool box to help you, go for it.”
Geraghty recently released a book: “Out of Sight!” which explores the rich history of sport and leisure as experienced by Ireland’s blind and vision impaired athletes, their families, friends, and coaches.
