Special Olympics Ireland
Special Olympics Ireland is a sporting organisation for children and adults with intellectual disabilities that operates in the Island of Ireland. It is part of the global Special Olympics movement.
 | |
| Sport | Special Olympics |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Ireland |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Headquarters | Dublin |
| CEO | Matt English |
| Official website | |
| www | |
 | |
History
It was founded in 1978 and at the time, was one of the first European programmes of the international Special Olympics movement.
Purpose
Special Olympics Ireland creates opportunities for children and adults with learning (intellectual) disabilities to take part in various sports training and competition year-round. To be eligible to take part in the Special Olympics programmes, participants would have to have an IQ of 75 and below.
Organisation
There are currently 9,361 Special Olympics athletes participating in 15 sports in 385 clubs throughout the Island of Ireland. These athletes benefit from taking regular sport training and competition programmes. It is broken up into five regions: Special Olympics Connaught, Special Olympics Leinster, Special Olympics Munster, Special Olympics Ulster and Special Olympics Eastern Region, which is for the Dublin Clubs.
Special Olympics Ireland Games
The Special Olympics Ireland Games are held every four years.