Ireland at the Paralympics

Ireland at the
Paralympics
IPC codeIRL
NPCParalympics Ireland
Websitewww.paralympics.ie
Medals
Ranked 29th
Gold
71
Silver
71
Bronze
98
Total
240
Summer appearances

A team representing Ireland has competed at every Summer Paralympic Games. The country has never taken part in the Winter Paralympics. Irish athletes have won 238 Summer Paralympic medals. [1] Paralympics Ireland (formerly the Paralympic Council of Ireland) is the National Paralympic Committee.

Northern Ireland-born athletes are entitled to represent either Ireland or Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as they are automatically entitled to the citizenship of both countries. As a result, athletes will tend to represent the National Olympic Committee of the nation to which their sport federation is aligned. The smaller competition pool will also see athletes choose to represent Ireland to ensure greater Olympic qualification chances, although athletes may also move in the opposite direction to increase medal chances, especially in team events. A number of athletes have represented both nations. This is on the same basis as at the Olympics.

At the first Paralympic Games in 1960 in Rome Ireland were one of 23 nations to enter athletes. The team finished 12th in the medals table which to this day remains the highest Ireland has ranked on the medal table. Both of Ireland's gold medals were won by Joan Horan. Horan won her medals in two different sports, one in the women's St. Nicholas Round open archery and one in the women's 25 m Crawl complete class 2 swimming event.[2][3][4] At the next games, hosted by Tokyo in 1964, two Irish athletes competed. This remains Ireland's only Summer Paralympics where no medals were earned.

The most medals won by Ireland at a Paralympic Games is 66. This was achieved at the 1984 Games hosted in New York and Stoke Mandeville. 20 of these medals were gold, 15 silver and 31 bronze. These are the most medals ever won at the games, making this the most successful Paralympic Games for Ireland. This was achieved with only 53 athletes on the Paralympic team that year.

The 1996 Summer Paralympics saw the biggest Paralympic team ever head to Atlanta. With 63 athletes competing in these games, Ireland was hoping for their biggest games yet. Disappointingly for the Irish, 10 medals were won at these games.

At the 2008 Summer Paralympics, held in Beijing, Ireland won five medals in total, three of them gold. There was controversy over the participation of Derek Malone in the 7-a-side cerebral palsy football tournament. Malone, who had competed in the 800 m event at the Athens Paralympics was ruled as ineligible to compete by Games classification authorities on the grounds that his disability was not severe enough.[5][6]

Athletics is Ireland's highest achieving sport with more than 5x more medals won in Athletics than any other sport. Ireland have also been very successful in swimming with 31 medals won in the sport.

Medal tables

Medals by Summer Games

Games Athletes  Gold  Silver  Bronze Total Rank
Italy 1960 Rome5200212
Japan 1964 Tokyo2000018
Israel 1968 Tel-Aviv7045919
Germany 1972 Heidelberg17242821
Canada 1976 Toronto1941062021
Netherlands 1980 Arnhem2442111725
United Kingdom United States 1984 Stoke Mandeville/New York532015316614
South Korea 1988 Seoul531311184219
Spain 1992 Barcelona/Madrid58034747
United States 1996 Atlanta631361045
Australia 2000 Sydney39531931
Greece 2004 Athens42031461
China 2008 Beijing45311536
United Kingdom 2012 London498351619
Brazil 2016 Rio de Janeiro444431128
Japan 2020 Tokyo31421732
France 2024 Paris35132655
United States 2028 Los Angelesfuture events
Australia 2032 Brisbane
Total71719723929

Medals by summer sport

SportGoldSilverBronzeTotal
 Athletics383963140
 Swimming1111931
 Lawn bowls72312
 Cycling64414
 Table tennis361019
 Boccia3137
 Snooker1304
 Equestrian1236
 Archery1102
Football 7-a-side0123
Totals (10 entries)717097238

List of medallists

The following table contains all medals won by athletes representing Ireland in the Paralympics. All medals have been won at the Summer Games. Ireland have never had a Paralympic team compete in the Winter Games.

The table is organised in chronological order, then by medal type (Gold, silver and bronze) and then by sport.

Medallists (1960 - 1980)

Medal Name Games Sport Event
 GoldJoan Horan1960 RomeArcheryWomen's St. Nicholas round open
 GoldJoan Horan SwimmingWomen's 25m crawl complete class 2
 SilverRosaleen Gallagher 1968 Tel-Aviv ArcheryWomen's St. Nicholas round cervical
 SilverJimmy Gibson SnookerMen's open
 SilverFrances O'Sullivan White SwimmingWomen's 25m backstroke class 1
 Silver Table TennisWomen's A1 singles
 BronzeRosaleen Gallagher AthleticsWomen's Slalom cervical class
 Bronze SwimmingWomen's 25m backstroke class 1
 Bronze Table TennisWomen's A2 singles
 BronzeRosaleen Gallagher
Frances O'Sullivan White		 Table TennisWomen's A2 doubles
 BronzeJimmy Gibson Table TennisMen's C singles
 GoldRosaleen Gallagher 1972 Heidelberg AthleticsWomen's 60m wheelchair 1B
 GoldJimmy Gibson
Eddie Lucas		 Lawn BowlsMen's pairs
 SilverKathleen Fagan AthleticsWomen's 60m m2
 SilverRosaleen Gallagher AthleticsWomen's javelin 1B
 SilverJimmy Gibson SnookerMen's tournament paraplegic
 SilverIreland Team Table TennisWomen's Teams 2
 BronzeKathleen Fagan AthleticsWomen's discus throw 2
 BronzeFrances O'Sullivan White SwimmingWomen's 25m backstroke 1B
 GoldMichael Cunningham 1976 Toronto AthleticsMen's javelin 4
 GoldRosaleen Gallagher AthleticsWomen's pentathlon 1B
 GoldJulia Cosgrove
Frances O'Sullivan White		 Table TennisWomen's doubles 1B
 GoldJulia Cosgrove Table TennisWomen's singles 1A
 SilverPatrick McCool AthleticsMen's club throw
 SilverPatrick McCool AthleticsMen's discus throw
 SilverClause Stephens AthleticsMen's discus throw 2
 SilverRosaleen Gallagher AthleticsWomen's 60m 1B
 SilverKathleen Fagan AthleticsWomen's 60m 2
 SilverKathleen Fagan AthleticsWomen's discus throw 2
 SilverRosaleen Gallagher AthleticsWomen's shot put 1B
 SilverChristine Doprill AthleticsWomen's shot put 2
 SilverRosaleen Gallagher AthleticsWomen's Slalom 1B
 SilverFrances O'Sullivan White Table TennisWomen's singles 1B
 BronzeClause Stephens AthleticsMen's shot put 2
 BronzeRosaleen Gallagher AthleticsWomen's club throw 1B
 BronzeRosaleen Gallagher AthleticsWomen's discus throw 1B
 BronzeChristine Doprill AthleticsWomen's discus throw 2
 BronzeChristine Doprill AthleticsWomen's javelin 2
 BronzeKathleen Fagan AthleticsWomen's slalom 2

Medallists (1984 - 2000)

Medal Name Games Sport Event
 GoldRonan Tynan1984 Stoke Mandeville / New YorkAthleticsLong jump A3
 GoldDavid McNallyAthleticsLong jump C8
 GoldBrendan CreanAthleticsClub throw C3
 GoldRonan TynanAthleticsDiscus throw A3
 GoldWilliam JohnstonAthleticsDistance throw C1
 GoldRonan TynanAthleticsShot put A3
 GoldTom LeahyAthleticsShot put C2
 GoldDermot WalshAthleticsSlalom C2
 GoldCarol CarrAthletics400m B2
 GoldMorna CloonanAthletics1000m Cross country C6
 GoldCathy DunneAthleticsDiscus throw 3
 GoldRosaleen GalagherAthleticsShot put B1
 GoldMorna CloonanAthleticsShot put C6
 GoldGerard DunneSwimming100m backstroke 6
 GoldGerard DunneSwimming100m butterfly 6
 GoldMorna CloonanSwimming25m backstroke C6
 GoldJimmy GibsonSnookerMen's paraplegic
 GoldBill Ensor
Paul Smyth		Lawn BowlsMen's pairs A2/4
 GoldPaul SmythLawn BowlsMen's singles A2/4
 GoldAlice Bailey
Angela Hendra		Lawn BowlsWomen's pairs paraplegic
 SilverGerry O'RourkeAthletics400m A1–A3
 SilverRonan TynanAthleticsHigh jump A3
 SilverWilliam JohnstonAthleticsPrecision throw C1
 SilverJohn CreedonAthleticsClub throw L1
 SilverTom LeahyAthleticsClub throw C2
 SilverTheresa WardAthletics200m C7
 SilverCarol CarrAthletics1500m B2
 SilverKay McShaneAthleticsMarathon 4
 SilverRosaleen GalagherAthleticsJavelin B1
 SilverTheresa WardAthleticsJavelin C7
 SilverMorna CloonanAthleticsClub throw C6
 SilverGerard DunneSwimming400m freestyle 6
 SilverMonica O'KellySwimming25m freestyle with aids C2
 SilverIreland menFootball7-a-side CP
 SilverIreland womenTable tennisTeams 2
 BronzeGerry O'RourkeAthletics100m A1–A3
 BronzeGerry O'RourkeAthletics800m A1–A3
 BronzePatrick KellyAthletics800m B1
 BronzeFintan O'DonnellAthletics800m B3
 BronzePatrick KellyAthletics1500m B1
 BronzeRonan RooneyAthleticsMarathon 1B
 BronzeIreland menAthletics4x100m relay C7–C8
 BronzeJoe MulhallAthleticsClub throw C3
 BronzeJoe MulhallAthleticsJavelin C3
 BronzeMartin CostelloAthleticsJavelin C4
 BronzeJohn TwomeyAthleticsDiscus throw 2
 BronzeJoe MulhallAthleticsShot put C3
 BronzeFrancis GenockeyAthleticsShot put L2
 BronzeDavid BolandAthleticsMedicine ball thrust C2
 BronzeTheresa WardAthletics100m C7
 BronzeRosaleen GalagherAthleticsSlalom B1
 BronzeAlison BarnesAthleticsSlalom C1
 BronzeMonica O'KellyAthleticsSlalom (leg) C2
 BronzeJennifer KielyAthleticsSlalom C3
 BronzeRosaleen GalagherAthleticsDiscus B1
 BronzeMonica O'KellyAthleticsClub throw C2
 BronzeChristina DodrillAthleticsShot put 2
 BronzeMonica O'KellyAthleticsShot put C2
 BronzeJennifer KielyAthleticsShot put C3
 BronzeGerard DunneSwimming100m freestyle 6
 BronzeBrendan CreanSwimming25m backstroke C3
 BronzeO. RourkeTable tennisSingles L2
 BronzeMorna CloonanTable tennisSingles C4–C5
 BronzeAngela HendraLawn BowlsWomen's singles paraplegic
 BronzeAlice Bailey
Angela Hendra		Lawn BowlsMixed pairs paraplegic
 GoldDavid Boland
Martin Costello
Lorraine Gallagher
Darrin Jordan		1988 Seoul[7]AthleticsMixed 4 x 100m C2-3
 GoldPaul CassinAthleticsMen's Discus Throw C3
 GoldMartin CostelloAthleticsMen's Shot Put C3
 GoldDarrin JordanAthleticsMen's Slalom C2
 GoldMichael McCormackAthleticsMen's Kick Ball C2
 GoldAlma RockAthleticsWomen's 100m C8
 GoldJohn TwomeyAthleticsMen's Discus Throw 2
 GoldRonan TynanAthleticsMen's Discus Throw A3A9
 GoldTheresa WardAthleticsWomen's 100m C7
 GoldThomas LeahyBocciaMixed Individual C2
 GoldTeresa MullenLawn BowlsWomen's Singles 2-6
 GoldGerard DunneSwimmingMen's 100m Backstroke 6
 GoldGerard DunneSwimmingMen's 100m Butterfly 6
 SilverChristina DodrillAthleticsWomen's Shot Put 2
 SilverCathy Dunne FitzpatrickAthleticsWomen's Discus Throw 3
 SilverLorraine GallagherAthleticsWomen's Club Throw C3
 SilverLorraine GallagherAthleticsWomen's Discus Throw C3
 SilverDarrin JordanAthleticsMen's 200m C2
 SilverThomas LeahyAthleticsMen's Shot Put C2
 SilverJohn McGuinnessAthleticsMen's 1500m C8
 SilverRonan TynanAthleticsMen's Shot Put A3A9
 SilverTheresa WardAthleticsWomen's Javelin C7
 SilverWilliam Behan
Francis Bell		Lawn BowlsMen's Pairs 2-6
 SilverMichael WhiteSnookerMen's Tournament Open
 BronzeDavid BolandAthleticsMen's Kick Ball C2
 BronzeChristina DodrillAthleticsWomen's Discus Throw 2
 BronzeCathy Dunne FitzpatrickAthleticsWomen's Pentathlon
 BronzeDarrin JordanAthleticsMen's 100m C2
 BronzeDarrin JordanAthleticsMen's 400m C2
 BronzeThomas LeahyAthleticsMen's Club Throw C2
 BronzeJohn McGuinnessAthleticsMen's Cross Country 5000m C8
 BronzeCamilla McMahonAthleticsWomen's 100m C8
 BronzeKay McShaneAthleticsWomen's 800m 4
 BronzeKay McShaneAthleticsWomen's Marathon 4
 BronzeGerard NaughtonAthleticsMen's Shot Put C4
 BronzeRonan TynanAthleticsMen's Javelin A3A9
 BronzeTeam IrelandFootballMen's Tournament
 BronzeGerard DunneSwimmingMen's 100m Freestyle 6
 BronzeGerard DunneSwimmingMen's 400m Freestyle 6
 BronzeGerard DunneSwimmingMen's 200m Individual Medley 6
 BronzeSean McGrathSwimmingMen's 100m Breaststroke A4
 BronzeTeam IrelandTableTennisMen's Teams C5-C8
 SilverBridie Lynch1992 BarcelonaAthleticsWomen's Discus Throw B3
 SilverBridie LynchAthleticsWomen's Pentathlon B3
 SilverMairead BerrySwimmingWomen's 50m Backstroke S2
 BronzeAlma RockAthleticsWomen's 400m C7-8
 BronzeWilliam Johnston
Jason Kearney
Thomas Leahy
Martin McDonagh		BocciaMixed C1-C3
 BronzeTeam IrelandFootballMen's Tournament
 BronzeSiobhan Callanan
Esther Stynes		TableTennisWomen's Teams 3
 GoldBridie Lynch1996 AtlantaAthleticsWomen's discus F12
 SilverThomas LeahyBocciaMen's individual C2
 SilverDavid MaloneSwimmingMen's 100m backstroke S9
 SilverMairead BerrySwimmingWomen's 50m backstroke S2
 BronzeSean O'GradyAthleticsMen's discus F54
 BronzeMary RiceAthleticsWomen's 200m T32-33
 BronzeBridie LynchAthleticsWomen's shot put F12
 BronzeSharon RiceAthleticsWomen's shot put F32-33
 BronzeGrainne Barrett-CondronAthleticsWomen's shot put F41
 BronzeJoan SalmonEquestrianWomen's kur canter grade III
 GoldTom Leahy2000 SydneyAthleticsMen's discus F51
 GoldGabriel ShellyBocciaMixed individual BC1
 GoldMargaret Grant
John Cronin		BocciaMixed pairs BC3
 GoldDavid MaloneSwimmingMen's 100m backstroke S8
 GoldMairead BerrySwimmingWomen's 100m freestyle S2
 SilverMary RiceAthleticsWomen's 400m T34
 SilverMairead BerrySwimmingWomen's 50m backstroke S2
 SilverMairead BerrySwimmingWomen's 50m freestyle S2
 BronzeCatherine WalshAthleticsWomen's pentathlon P13

Medallists (2004 - 2024)

Medal Name Games Sport Event
 SilverConal McNamara2004 AthensAthleticsMen's 400m T13
 SilverJohn McCarthyAthleticsMen's discus throw F32/51
 SilverDavid MaloneSwimmingMen's 100m backstroke S8
 BronzeDerek MaloneAthleticsMen's 800m T38
 GoldMichael McKillop2008 BeijingAthleticsMen's 800 m T37
 GoldJason SmythAthleticsMen's 100 m T13
 GoldJason SmythAthleticsMen's 200 m T13
 SilverDarragh McDonaldSwimmingMen's 400 m Freestyle S6
 BronzeGabriel ShellyBocciaMixed Individual BC1
 GoldBethany Firth2012 LondonSwimmingWomen's 100 metre backstroke S14
 GoldDarragh McDonaldSwimmingMen's 400 metre freestyle S6
 GoldJason SmythAthleticsMen's 100 metres T13
 GoldMichael McKillopAthleticsMen's 800 metres T37
 GoldMichael McKillopAthleticsMen's 1500 metres T37
 GoldMark RohanCyclingMen's road time trial H1
 GoldMark RohanCyclingMen's road race H1
 GoldJason SmythAthleticsMen's 200 metres T13
 SilverCatherine Walsh
Pilot: Francine Meehan 		CyclingWomen's Ind B Pursuit
 SilverHelen Kearney
on Mister Cool		EquestrianInd. Championship Test - Grade Ia
 SilverCatherine O'NeilAthleticsWomen's discus F51/52
 BronzeTeam IrelandEquestrianMixed Team Championship
 BronzeHelen Kearney
on Mister Cool		EquestrianIndividual freestyle test grade Ia
 BronzeOrla BarryAthleticsWomen's Discus Throw F57/58
 BronzeJames Brown
Pilot: Damien Shaw 		CyclingMen's road time trial B
 BronzeCatherine Walsh
Pilot: Francine Meehan 		CyclingWomen's road time trial B
 GoldJason Smyth2016 Rio de JaneiroAthleticsMen's 100m T13
 GoldMichael McKillopAthleticsMen's 1500m T37
 GoldEoghan CliffordCyclingMen's road time trial C3
 GoldKatie-George Dunlevy
Pilot: Eve McCrystal		CyclingWomen's road time trial B
 SilverColin LynchCyclingMen's road time trial C2
 SilverOrla BarryAthleticsWomen's discus F57
 SilverNiamh McCarthyAthleticsWomen's discus F41
 SilverKatie-George Dunlevy
Pilot: Eve McCrystal		CyclingWomen's road race B
 BronzeEoghan CliffordCyclingMen's individual pursuit C3
 BronzeEllen KeaneSwimmingWomen's 100 metre breaststroke SB8
 BronzeNoelle LenihanAthleticsWomen's discus F38
 GoldEllen Keane2020 TokyoSwimmingWomen's 100 metre breaststroke SB8
 GoldJason SmythAthleticsMen's 100 metres T13
 GoldKatie-George Dunlevy
Pilot: Eve McCrystal		CyclingWomen's road time trial B
 GoldKatie-George Dunlevy
Pilot: Eve McCrystal		CyclingWomen's road race B
 SilverKatie-George Dunlevy
Pilot: Eve McCrystal		CyclingWomen's individual pursuit B
 SilverNicole TurnerSwimmingWomen's 50 metre butterfly S6
 BronzeGary O'ReillyCyclingMen's road time trial H5
 GoldKatie-George Dunlevy
Pilot: Linda Kelly		2024 ParisCyclingWomen's Road Race B Time Trial
 SilverKatie-George Dunlevy
Pilot: Eve McCrystal		Women's B 3000m Individual Pursuit
 SilverKatie-George Dunlevy
Pilot: Linda Kelly		Women's B Road Race
 SilverRóisín Ní RíainSwimmingWomen's 100m backstroke S13
 BronzeRóisín Ní RíainWomen's 200m Individual Medley SM13
 BronzeOrla ComerfordAthleticsWomen's 100m T13

See also

References

  1. ↑ "IPC Historical Results Database". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 19 April 2010.
  2. ↑ "Ireland's first Paralympic athlete, Oliver Murphy, is honoured at the Renault Ireland Team 2012 Camp". Paralympic Council of Ireland. 14 April 2010. Archived from the original on 26 April 2010. Retrieved 19 April 2010.
  3. ↑ "Ireland honours pioneering Paralympian". inside world parasport. 15 April 2010. Retrieved 19 April 2010.
  4. ↑ "name=Joan Horan". Paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee.
  5. ↑ Gareth A Davies (13 September 2008). "IPC defend banning of Irish footballer Derek Malone from Paralympic Games". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 19 April 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  6. ↑ "Games exit for Ireland's Malone". BBC Sport. 11 September 2008. Retrieved 19 April 2010.
  7. ↑ "Seoul 1988 - Paralympics". paralympics.ie. Retrieved 2026-08-15.
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