Latest news with #DownSyndromeIreland
Irish Independent
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Cycling legend Seán Kelly launches ‘incredible' 25th Tour de Munster in Limerick
Set to take place from Thursday, August 7 to Sunday, August 10, this year's Tour will see amateur cyclists ride across all six counties of Munster to raise vital funds for Down Syndrome Ireland's (DSI) Munster branches. 'This year's 25th edition is a special milestone, and I'm proud to be part of it once again,' said Seán Kelly, who is supporting the Tour for the 19th consecutive year. 'I've been fortunate to meet so many incredible children and adults with Down syndrome through Tour de Munster over the past two decades. The commitment shown by DSI's Munster branches is truly inspiring. Their work provides vital services and support, and it's a privilege to play a role in helping that continue,' he added. Speaking at the Limerick launch, Tour de Munster founder Paul Sheridan reflected on how far the event has come: 'It's hard to believe we're marking the 25th Tour de Munster, a milestone that reflects the incredible commitment of everyone involved over the past 25 years. 'From the beginning, this event has been rooted in community, compassion and the drive to make a real difference.' Paul Sheridan remains the only cyclist to have participated in every single Tour since 2001, covering more than 15,000 kilometres, equating to nearly a third of the way around the world. Funds raised from the cycle go toward essential services for people with Down syndrome, including speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, employment support, and other life-enhancing supports across Munster. Claire Power, Chairperson of Down Syndrome Waterford and South Kilkenny, praised the Tour's impact: 'The funds raised have helped us keep essential services like speech and occupational therapy going, which we simply couldn't do without.' DSI President Gerard O'Carroll added: 'On behalf of Down Syndrome Ireland, thank you to every rider, donor, and volunteer for being part of this remarkable journey.' Since it began in 2001, the Tour has raised over €5 million for Down Syndrome Ireland. To support the tour or make a donation, visit
RTÉ News
14-06-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Ireland's Down syndrome futsal team eyeing European glory
Ireland's first national Down syndrome futsal team will depart for the SUDS European Championships in Italy tomorrow. The team's participation in the competition is the culmination of a continuing partnership between the FAI and Down Syndrome Ireland, which first began in 2023. Hosting the week-long championships in Ferrara is the Italian Paralympic Sport Federation for athletes with intellectual or relational disabilities, FISDIR. The Irish team has already taken part in two previous international events, facing Italy, Portugal and Turkey in 2023, and the USA in 2024. Organisers have said these international matches have raised the profile of both the sport and the abilities of Irish players with Down syndrome and have also led to the development of a tailored grassroots programme within the League of Ireland structure. League of Ireland clubs are now setting up their own teams for players with Down syndrome through their social responsibility programmes. Two major blitzes are currently held every year, with some inter-club matches during the season also expected to get under way shortly. The FAI has said the development of Down Syndrome futsal continues to grow across the country with the support of its Football For All programme. The 11-player squad named to represent their country at the SUDS European Championships followed months of assessment with over 100 players available for selection nationwide. The final national assessment took place at TU Dublin's Blanchardstown Campus in February. The management team of Mark Ross, Conor McKahey and Nigel Fitzharris have said that given the players are excelling with their respective League of Ireland clubs, hopes are high for the tournament. The 10 outfield players and one goalkeeper headed for the northern Italian city of Ferrara will be representing six Down Syndrome Ireland branches from around the country. There are four players from the Donegal branch, three from the Louth/Meath branch and one each from the Cork, Dublin, Mayo and Waterford branches. The Ireland Down Syndrome Futsal Squad in full is: Goalkeeper: David Crawford (Finn Harps) Defenders: Josh Hennessy (Shelbourne), Jamie Linden (Dundalk), Fergus Cosgrove (Bohemians) Midfielders: Cian Kelleher (Cork City), Micheál McCloy (Dundalk), Sean Toolin (Cork City), Fergal Birrane (Sligo Rovers)
Irish Examiner
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
My Job: Paul Sheridan on 25 years of the Tour de Munster
MY JOB Name: Paul Sheridan Occupation: Founder, Tour de Munster Background: August marks the 25th anniversary of this charity cycle, which has raised more than €5m for Down Syndrome Ireland since its launch in 2001 Starting on August 7, cyclists will once again take on the 600km journey through the towns and villages of Munster. At the heart of it all is Paul Sheridan, who founded the tour and remains its driving force, the only rider to complete every edition since day one, clocking more than 15,000km in support of this cause. The celebration of this major milestone is built on a foundation of dedication, community, and the difference one person's vision can make. Since its inception in 2001, the event has raised more than €5m for the Munster branches of Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI), funding vital services and support for children and adults across the province. The 25th edition is set to hit the road later this summer, kicking off from Cork City on Thursday, August 7, and continuing over four days around the six counties of Munster, before returning to the city on the 10th. Tour de Munster participants at Fitzgerald's Park, Cork, in April, to launch the upcoming 25th edition of the charity cycle. Over the years, hundreds of cyclists have come together to take on the 600km route, and, in the process, have turned each pedal stroke into real change for children and adults with Down syndrome, raising millions in the process. 'The tour is powered by passion and while many participants have a personal connection to Down syndrome, a significant number join simply out of a desire to make a difference,' Paul Sheridan explains. 'Along the route, cyclists are met by DSI families who provide encouragement, hospitality, and a personal connection to the cause they're supporting. For 25 years, Tour de Munster has been about more than just cycling, it's been about heart, hope, and making a real difference in the lives of people with Down syndrome. Together, we've built a community that champions inclusion, independence, and opportunity. "To everyone who has pedalled with purpose, donated generously, volunteered their time, or simply cheered us on from the roadside, thank you. You are the reason we've come this far, and the reason we keep going,' he adds. Paul recalls the origins of the tour being a 10-year vision to get 100 cyclists raising €100,000 annually. 'I saw it as having an organic growth, without advertising or trying to compete with organisations with bigger budgets in order to attract participants. "I felt if it was properly organised and done well, people would come to cycle and hopefully the next year tell a friend as well. And thankfully it grew on that basis.' It took five years to reach the original plan of 100 cyclists generating €100,000, and has continued to deliver far beyond those aims as the years rolled on. With all participants covering their own costs, all funds raised through the event go in their entirety to Down Syndrome Ireland. 'I participated in a few events where I felt awful about the fact that so much of our fundraising was being used to pay my costs and so little was making it to the front line,' Paul explains. 'I decided I'd fund 'my own mid-life crisis' and run an event with all funds raised going to the beneficiary. Thankfully, it seems to be working.' A participant in the 2024 Tour de Munster. Timing is everything, and a quarter century ago cycling was about to become a bigger sport, with recreational cycling becoming more common on highways and byways. 'In my younger days, cycling was quite an intense sport — you're were in it fully or not at all. This was before the so called 'mamils' came along — the middle aged men in lycra,' he smiles. 'They looked the part, but perhaps not going as fast as the competitive cyclists. For myself, it was a sport I fell into and fell in love with. I had been involved in sport of various kinds before cycling, but had never found anything with so much craic and camaraderie. Being part of a the team effort and being able to do good for somebody else was a driver — but all the time doing an activity we loved. A vital spoke in the Tour de Munster wheel has been the involvement of Irish cycling legend Seán Kelly — a leadership and presence that has inspired countless participants over the years. 'Having Seán with us on the road is a constant reminder of what's possible when we come together for a good cause,' he says. 'Of course, he brings a gravitas to the event, to say nothing of the sheer treat it is to be able to say you cycled with Seán Kelly. As the second greatest cyclist still alive, it is surely the stuff of cyclists' dreams to be able to tell their grandkids they cycled with such a legend.' Seán Kelly has participated since 2006, and completed all editions since 2008. Olympic rower Gary O'Donovan and cycling legend Seán Kelly lead cyclists down Grand Parade at the start of the 2023 Tour De Munster. Picture: Don MacMonagle Olympian Gary O'Donovan participated in 2023 and said it was the best thing he'd ever done. 'I guess that's quite an endorsement, but the number of people who come back year after year is perhaps even more enlightening.' Invariably, the return rate is around 90%, with most participants agreeing this may well be the best thing they can do on a bike annually. 'There's no pressure on anyone to return — the tour and cycling are something we do when life doesn't get in the way. But they're also life-enhancing and invariably worth making time for.' While the Tour de Munster is a well-oiled machine that continues to yield the clear benefits of joyful camaraderie for its participants, the added yield of serious annual funding for a very worthy cause places it on a pedestal where everyone is a winner. 'Tour de Munster has become something really special, it's more than a fundraiser, it's a community effort that lifts everyone involved,' says Gerard O'Carroll, Down Syndrome Ireland president. The support we've received over the years has made a real difference to families across Munster. Since becoming the main beneficiary back in 2010, we've seen how powerful this partnership can be. We're proud to be part of it, and so thankful to everyone who partakes in the tour each year. For Paul Sheridan, people with Down Syndrome do not get nearly enough from the State, and without the support of Down Syndrome Ireland, many would have a very poor quality of life. 'Through the Tour de Munster, we hope to raise both awareness and funds which will help improve the lives of people with DS and their families for many years to come. It's a privilege and a pleasure to do the bit I do and I'm very grateful to all Tour de Munster participants and supporters. Ultimately, I believe we the participants are the biggest beneficiaries of the event. We experience something amazing and create wonderful memories. That others can benefit from something which gives us such joy is truly remarkable.' Read More My Job: The merger of accountancy firms just adds up
Irish Independent
04-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Mayo garda to undertake mammoth physical challenge in aid of Down Syndrome Mayo
In 2021, James and his wife Ciara welcomed their third daughter Iris, into the world. She was born with Down Syndrome. Today, James is the Chairman of Down Syndrome Ireland's Mayo branch, which supports and advocates for over 140 members. On June 1, the Knock native will do five 'Hyroxs' back-to-back to fundraise for the charity. Here's what that means: a one-kilometre run, 1,000 metres on a ski erg (yanking down two pulleys, essentially), a 50-metre-long 202kg sled push, a 50-metre-long 152kg sled pull, 80 metres of burpee broad jumps, 1,000 metres on a rowing machine, a 200-metre-long farmers carry with 24kg kettlebells, 100 metres of lunges with a 20kg sandbag, and - finally – 100 6kg wall balls walloped at a 10-foot-high target. And again. And again. And again. And again. All in the one day! That is extreme exertion, even for a 6-foot tall, 94 kg 46-year-old who, in 2012, ran five marathons back-to-back for the Tania McCabe Foundation – a charity founded in memory of a garda sergeant who died in childbirth. Even to fundraise for a cause as worthy as Down Syndrome Mayo, this seems a bit extreme at first. But then you speak to James for half-an-hour. You hear about what his youngest daughter means to him, the joy she has brought to so many lives, and the work Down Syndrome Mayo does to support people like Iris and her family. Only then do you realise how important this is to James. He takes us back to when Iris first came into his life. 'It was the beginning of April three years ago. We went for a routines scan, and we learned that things weren't as routine as we thought it was.' The scan detected an issue with Iris' heart, which had not fully formed. They were referred on two Dublin for a harmony test. ADVERTISEMENT 'About three weeks before Iris was born, we found out we were going to have a baby with Down Syndrome,' continues James. 'We didn't know whether it was going to be a boy or a girl. We didn't want to know. We were just told there is a strong possibility that this child has Down Syndrome. 'We didn't know whether she was going to be born alive, if she is going to survive, what medical treatment she needs. They are telling us she is going to need surgery today, she is going to need this, she is going to need that.' It was news that no parent expects to hear towards the end of a pregnancy. 'We're just expected to have a baby the same as the other two [children], and then you get hit with this,' says James. 'It's a new challenge; it's something new that's thrown at you but it's the amount of information that's thrown at you at the time that frightens you. There is nearly nothing positive said to you at the time by the medical profession. They are nearly telling you 'the child is going to be slow to do this, it's going to be behind to do that'. 'You are going to be lucky if they accomplish this or if they accomplish that.' So you get this overload of information and you are still trying to process being told that there is a high probability your child is going to be born with Down Syndrome. You are left in a very confused state and not knowing what to do because it's not what you expected. It's not the journey you had set out on. 'You don't know, with this child arriving, how that's going to affect the other dynamics of the family, having two older children. Are they going to be affected by it, how is it going to affect your own relationship. With your other family members, how are they going to accept it, people in the community and all that. It's just a very weird situation to be put in. It has an effect alright.' Amid a 'medical overload of information' Mayo Down Syndrome reached out to the family before Iris was born to tell them what they needed to give Iris the start she needed. But even at this stage, it was doubtful if Iris was even going to survive childbirth. Indeed, medics were downright sceptical. Then on May 11, 2021, Iris confounded expectations and arrived into the arms of a mother and father who were 'delighted' from the moment she was born. 'She is a proper fighter. We had been told that she wasn't going to survive. There was a high probability with the heart condition that she had that she wasn't going to live,' James explains. 'She was born on the Tuesday and on Friday they sent us home from the hospital. We were in Crumlin. They couldn't understand how this child had beat the odds but also didn't require surgery at the time.' Iris is nearly four years old now. In that time, she has already done so many things she was never expected to do. 'There's no difference between her and any other child,' explains her father, a garda sergeant stationed in Bangor-Erris. 'She is going to playschool, she is playing football, she is climbing trees, she's a proper daredevil.' At home, she's the playful little 'dictator-boss' to her sister Ivy and brother Emelyn. In her hometown of Crossmolina, she cannot darken a door without hearing a welcoming 'Hi Iris'. 'There's a lot to be thankful for, living in a town like Crossmolina, when we've had Iris. She is known the length and breadth of the town. More people know her name than know ours,' James remarks. 'In the playschool there she's like a little queen. For us, it's been a brilliant location for Iris to grow up.' Only naturally, it is there in Crossmolina, in the North West Fitness Academy headquarters, that James will undertake his half-daft half-philanthropic all-day-long Hydrox challenge. The former Aghamore footballer will be accompanied by friends from near and far. Other gyms in Mayo are running similar concurrent events to support the fundraiser. Every cent raised is badly needed and goes directly towards services for those who need it. This ranges from family counselling, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, social outings and grants for families whose child is starting school for the first time. James took over as Chairman of Down Syndrome Mayo in 2023, at a time when its future was 'in serious jeopardy' unless key positions on its committee were filled. No one can speak better for the charity and how it helps people with Down Syndrome and their families. 'You are just trying to keep everyone as close as possible to live the best life that they can live and trying to encourage them as well to get out, join in with their schools or into the work force… to give them the proper platform to succeed in life.' Clearly no shortage of motivation. So how prepared does he feel physically and mentally for what he's about to undertake? 'At 46 sometimes you need a can of WD40 to wake up in the morning and get the joints moving,' smiles James, sporting his blue garda sergeant t-shirt over a WhatsApp call with the Irish Independent. 'There is always a niggle or two but that's just the age I'm at. There's nothing you can do about that, but training-wise I'm training well, eating as best I can. But having a busy family life on top of everything else, rest just isn't there the way you would if you had the time, you'd like to sit down and do that bit more or to get to bed that bit earlier. That's part of working shift work and a busy home life.' James and Ciara Carty have put a difficult road behind them and a difficult one before them, but James insists they 'wouldn't change the journey with Iris or our other children (Ivy and Emlyn) for anything'. 'Myself and the wife are constantly on the road with one of the kids. It's a good challenge. Overall I feel great about it. Mentally, I love the thought of doing it. I mightn't love it so much on the evening of June 1, but at this moment in time, love it.'
