Held in Dublin, the event brought together Paralympians, family members, friends and members of the wider Paralympics Ireland community to celebrate the pioneering generation who helped establish Ireland’s place on the international Paralympic stage.

Across the first six Paralympic Games; Rome 1960, Tokyo 1964, Tel Aviv 1968, Heidelberg 1972, Toronto 1976 and Arnhem 1980, a total of 45 athletes represented Ireland, securing 57 medals (15 gold, 20 silver and 22 bronze). Competing during the formative years of the Paralympic Movement, these athletes helped lay the foundations for the growth and success of Paralympic sport in Ireland.

The afternoon featured reflections from Paralympics Ireland President Lisa Clancy, Sport Ireland Chief Executive Officer Dr. Una May, and Chair of the Athletes’ Commission Martin Gordon, who spoke about the significance of recognising the achievements of Ireland’s early Paralympians and the lasting impact they have had on the development of Para sport in Ireland.

A central part of the programme was the presentation ceremony, where athletes and their families were formally recognised for their contribution to Irish Paralympic history. The ceremony honoured both those present on the day and those who are no longer with us, ensuring their achievements remain an important part of Ireland’s sporting legacy.

The event also featured a panel discussion exploring the early development of disability sport in Ireland and the role of key organisations such as the Irish Wheelchair Association and Vision Sports Ireland in creating opportunities for athletes over the decades.

Guests heard from Paralympian Joe Geraghty, President of Vision Sports Ireland and Ann Marie O’Grady, CEO of the Irish Wheelchair Association, who reflected on the early days of disability sport and the progress that has been made in building pathways for athletes with disabilities in Ireland.

Paralympics Ireland Chief Executive Officer Stephen McNamara also addressed those in attendance, reflecting on the importance of recognising the athletes who laid the foundations for Paralympic sport in Ireland. He noted that while much of the organisation’s work focuses on forward planning and future Games, it is equally important to take time to acknowledge those who came before and made that progress possible.

The afternoon concluded with a musical performance from The Bass Brothers, providing a fitting close to a day dedicated to celebrating the history and legacy of Irish Paralympians.

UnParalleled marked the first event in a series that will continue to recognise athletes from Ireland’s Paralympic past, ensuring the pioneers of the movement are remembered and celebrated for generations to come.