Paralympic heroes welcomed to the Áras by President Higgins

Kilkenny Paralympians Mary Fitzgerald and Damien Vereker were among the heroes in green who were given a presidential reception.

The duo were part of the Irish Paralympic team who were welcomed to Áras an Uachtarán by president, Michael D Higgins and his wife, Sabina.

The Paralympic team that represented Ireland at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games reassembled at the Áras at the request of the President to officially acknowledge the achievements of the Team in Paris throughout the summer. Fitzgerald competed in the women’s F40 shot-put in Paris, while paracyclist Vereker was in action on both the track and road races.

Over 70 members of the team and support staff that travelled to Paris for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games were in attendance as part of the delegation led by Paralympics Ireland president, Eimear Breathnach.

Team Ireland competed between August 28 and September 8 throughout the Paris games with Irish athletes featuring in 55 events in total delivering six personal bests, five national records, one European record and six medals including one gold, three silver and two bronze medals.

“The six medals our Paralympic athletes won at this year’s Paralympic Games are such significant achievements for which we can all be proud,” said President Higgins, speaking at the reception. “Each of the record-setting medallists has brought enormous joy to all those watching across our island and beyond and has been a source of pride and encouragement. Indeed all those who achieved so much by qualifying and competing to such a high standard have made Irish people everywhere so immensely proud.

“The Olympics and Paralympics represent the culmination of four years, indeed a lifetime, of hard work and dedicated training by our athletes, and I extend my admiration and deep appreciation to all those who have competed and given their all across so many sporting disciplines,” he added. “In every aspect there has been real achievement.

“The Paralympic games demonstrate how, with imagination and the necessary resources, real inclusion can be fostered across society through concerted efforts to promote an inclusive participation from all citizens regardless of circumstance. Watching the games, it was impossible not to be inspired by the spectacle of athletes focusing on what was possible, with great courage and unwavering determination.”