2014 National Special Olympic Games

The National Special Olympic Games take place every four years with approximately 11,000 Special Olympic Ireland athletes training day in and day out with their respective Clubs, Schools and COPE Foundation. With 400 clubs throughout the five regions of Ireland, their end goal is to participate initially in the National games and eventually progress to World level.

The Special Olympic Ireland games will be hosted in UL (Limerick) between 12/16th June and Cobh have four Special Olympic Ireland athletes participating.

Last Sunday the athletes visited Cobh Heritage Centre with local Special Olympic Volunteer Frank O’Brien. Also present was Cobh & Harbour Chamber President Brian Curtis who complemented the athletes on their achievements at both local and Munster levels. ‘It’s a great honour for me to be here today to meet all the athletes from Cobh who will be competing in the National Games’ said Mr Curtis. ‘You are an inspiration to us all and I wish you all the very best for the game’ he continued. Mr Brian Curtis also complemented Clodagh Kilcullen, another Cobh Special Olympic athlete who will be also participating at the games but was unable to make the Heritage Centre visit.

Pictured above are athletes Lara Hally, Sophia Stephens, Shane Mulligan together with their proud parents.

Speaking with local volunteer Frank O’Brien he said ‘We are all very proud of these children. They work so hard to get to this stage and regardless of any results at the games, they are all winners. I wish them every success’