Team Ireland - with Taoiseach Simon Harris, back center - in Paris ahead of the 2024 Paralympic Games.@SimonHarrisTD, X
35 athletes have qualified to represent Team Ireland for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, which get underway with the Opening Ceremony on Wednesday, August 28.
Ireland's Para athletes received well wishes in person from Taoiseach Simon Harris in Paris on Tuesday, the day before the Opening Ceremony.
A very important visitor to the Paralympic Village this morning!
We were delighted to welcome Taoiseach Simon Harris to meet our athletes and speak to them before the Games officially kick off tomorrow.
Merci! ??#TheNextLevel | #TeamIreland | #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/AvWEqc7lUp
— Paralympics Ireland (@ParalympicsIRE) August 27, 2024
The Taoiseach said that the "whole country is behind" Team Ireland.
Thrilled to join #TeamIreland in Paris this morning ahead of the 2024 @Paralympics.
Wishing our 35 phenomenal athletes who will compete across 9 sports the very best of luck - the whole country is behind you! ??#Paris2024 #TheNextLevel pic.twitter.com/JrXUC7YYap
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) August 27, 2024
Earlier in August, the Irish Para athletes were assembled for the first time at the RDS in Dublin where Chef de Mission, Neasa Russell, introduced the team and the cast of support staff that were traveling to Paris ahead of the Paralympic Games.
THIS IS US!
What a day yesterday at the RDS! The buzz and excitement is real as we officially presented the 35 athletes and support staff that will represent our nation at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/J6MY9aR70f
— Paralympics Ireland (@ParalympicsIRE) August 2, 2024
The Irish Para athletes haven’t performed in front of a full house since Rio 2016 and this month's reception provided an opportunity for the athletes to receive the cheers and congratulations that have been sadly absent for eight years.
On August 7, some of Team Ireland departed for their training camp in Portugal ahead of representing Ireland on the global stage in Paris.
An Irish Goodbye!
A huge thank you to Aer Lingus the official airline partner of Paralympics Ireland who gave our athletes a brilliant send off from Dublin Airport this afternoon.
T-21 days!#TeamIreland | #Paris2024 | #TheNextLevel | #HomeAdvantage pic.twitter.com/ZyIupUQnbS
— Paralympics Ireland (@ParalympicsIRE) August 7, 2024
More recently, Orla Comerford and Colin Judge were announced as the official flag bearers for Team Ireland during the Opening Ceremony on Wednesday, which will be held at the Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Elysées.
Like the Olympics opening ceremony, this is the first time a Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony will be hosted outside the confines of a stadium.
FLAG BEARER ANNOUCEMENT
We are delighted to confirm that Orla Comerford and Colin Judge will carry the flag for Team Ireland at the Opening Ceremony at the Paralympic Games.
This is Orla's third Games while Colin made his debut in Tokyo. #TheNextLevel #TeamIreland #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/QYd6U89v68
— Paralympics Ireland (@ParalympicsIRE) August 16, 2024
While the 2024 Paralympics get underway on Wednesday, athletes from Team Ireland don’t begin competing until Thursday. You can see Team Ireland’s schedule here.
Para Archery
- Kerrie Leonard - Co Meath
KERRIE LEONARD
Meath sharpshooter makes her return to the Paralympic Games as Ireland’s only Para archer. She made her debut at Tokyo in 2021.
Age: 33
— Paralympics Ireland (@ParalympicsIRE) August 4, 2024
Hometown: Culmullen, Co Meath
Club: Blackheath Archers
Event: Women’s Compound Open#TheNextLevel | #TeamIreland | #paris2024 pic.twitter.com/SwZy70yq8l
Para Athletics
- Orla Comerford - Co Dublin
- Greta Streimikyte - Co Dublin
- Mary Fitzgerald - Co Kilkenny
- Shauna Bocquet - Co Galway
- Aaron Shorten - Co Kildare
The Irish Para Athletics team has been officially announced!
Five athletes will travel to Paris in just over 40 days to represent Team Ireland:
Orla Comerford
Greta Streimikyte
Mary Fiztgerald
Shauna Bocquet
Aaron ShortenRead full announcement here: https://t.co/pgoO7i0YG3 pic.twitter.com/I2ZraMaZMw
— Paralympics Ireland (@ParalympicsIRE) July 18, 2024
Para Cycling:
- Katie-George Dunlevy - West Sussex, UK
- Josephine Healion - Co Offaly
- Richael Timothy - Co Galway
- Ronan Grimes - Co Galway
- Damien Vereker - Co Kilkenny
- Martin Gordon - Co Sligo
- Eoin Mullen (pilot) - Co Galway
- Eve McCrystal (pilot) - Co Louth
- Mitchell McLaughlin (pilot) - Co Donegal
- Linda Kelly (pilot) - Co Wexford
Introducing Ireland’s newest girl band!
What should they be called? ?#TheNextLevel | #Paris2024 | #TeamIreland pic.twitter.com/wx5dKGyC6u
— Paralympics Ireland (@ParalympicsIRE) August 3, 2024
Para Equestrian
- Kate Kerr Horan - Co Wicklow
- Michael Murphy - West London
- Jessica McKenna - Co Cork
- Sarah Slattery - Co Galway
HERE’S WHO’S TAKING THE HORSE TO FRANCE!
A four person Para equestrian team will compete at the iconic Palace of Versailles this summer at Paris 2024.
Kate Kerr Horan
— Paralympics Ireland (@ParalympicsIRE) August 1, 2024
Jessica McKenna
Sarah Slattery
Michael Murphy (not pictured)#TheNextLevel | #TeamIreland | #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/XTXcXjqoaB
Para Powerlifting
- Britney Arendse - Co Cavan
BRITNEY ARENDSE
Paris will be Britney’s second Paralympic Games. She made her debut at Tokyo in 2021.
Age: 24
— Paralympics Ireland (@ParalympicsIRE) August 4, 2024
Hometown: Mullagh, Co Cavan
Classification: Up To 79kg#TheNextLevel | #Paris2024 | #TeamIreland pic.twitter.com/hvfEbuzUbh
Para Rowing
- Katie O’Brien - Co Galway
- Tiarnán O’Donnell - Co Limerick
IRISH PARA ROWING RETURNS TO THE PARALYMPIC GAMES!
Galweigan Katie O’Brien and Limerick’s Tiarnán O’Donnell have been announced as the pair to represent Ireland in Paris. They will compete in the PR2 Mixed Double Sculls.#TheNextLevel | #Paris2024 | #TeamIreand pic.twitter.com/4j3vkF0FQm
— Paralympics Ireland (@ParalympicsIRE) August 1, 2024
Para Swimming
- Dearbhaile Brady - Co Derry
- Ellen Keane - Co Dublin
- Barry McClements - Co Down
- Róisín Ní Ríain - Co Limerick
- Deaten Registe - Co Tyrone
- Nicole Turner - Co Laois
On Wednesdays we wear green ☘️
The swimmers have completed their pre Games camp in Fuerteventura and are en route to Paris!
Can’t wait to see you!#TheNextLevel | #TeamIreland | #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/xzLsp7e2we
— Paralympics Ireland (@ParalympicsIRE) August 21, 2024
Para Table Tennis
- Colin Judge - Co Dublin
COLIN JUDGE
This will be Colin's second Paralympic Games having made his debut in Tokyo, 2021. The Blackrock man has been competing internationally for Ireland since 2012.
Club: UCD Table Tennis Club
Age: 29
Classification: 3#TheNextLevel | #TeamIreland | #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/JajE3gWK9X— Paralympics Ireland (@ParalympicsIRE) August 4, 2024
Para Triathlon
- Cassie Cava - West-Sussex, England
- Judith MacCombe - Co Derry
- Chloe MacCombe - Co Derry
- Catherine Sands (guide) - Co Down
- Eimear Nicholls (guide) - Co Derry
WHY DO ONE SPORT WHEN YOU CAN DO THREE???
We will have three athletes and two guides representing us in Paris for Para triathlon!
Cassie Cava
— Paralympics Ireland (@ParalympicsIRE) August 1, 2024
Judith MacCombe
Chloe MacCombe
Eimear Nicholls
Catherine Sands#TeamIreland | #Paris2024 | #TheNextLevel pic.twitter.com/8ad8zdc63z