Paralympics Ireland has announced UnParalleled: A Celebration of Ireland’s Paralympic Past, a commemorative event dedicated to recognising and honouring Ireland’s earliest Paralympians.
The event will take place in Dublin in March 2026 and will shine a spotlight on athletes who represented Ireland at the Paralympic Games between 1960 and 1980, acknowledging their role in laying the foundations of Ireland’s Paralympic movement.
As part of the preparations, Paralympics Ireland is seeking to connect with Paralympians who competed during this period, as well as family members, friends or representatives who can help identify or contact athletes from that era. Anyone who represented Ireland at the Paralympic Games between 1960 and 1980, or who has information that could assist in reaching athletes or their families, is encouraged to get in touch.
UnParalleled will feature reflections from athletes, formal recognition ceremonies and an opportunity for the wider Paralympics Ireland community to come together to honour the pioneers who helped shape the pathway for future generations of Irish Paralympians.
The celebration will recognise Irish representatives from the following Paralympic Games:
Rome 1960 Paralympic Games
Tokyo 1964 Paralympic Games
Tel Aviv 1968 Paralympic Games
Heidelberg 1972 Paralympic Games
Toronto 1976 Paralympic Games
Arnhem 1980 Paralympic Games
Paralympics Ireland has confirmed that UnParalleled is the first in a series of commemorative initiatives, with further events planned to honour athletes from later Paralympic Games in the years ahead.
By reconnecting with its earliest competitors and formally recognising their achievements, Paralympics Ireland aims to preserve an important chapter of sporting history and celebrate the athletes whose courage, commitment and resilience helped build the platform for today’s Paralympic success in Ireland.
Image Credit: RTÉ Archive
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