Special Olympics Ulster

Hard to believe two months have already passed, but here are a few of the highlights from the Ireland Summer Games 2026! 🇮🇪🏅

What an incredible few days of competition, teamwork, friendships and unforgettable memories. We’re so proud of everyone who represented Team Ulster and made the Games so special. 💙

Here’s a look back at some of the moments that made it one to remember! 📸✨

North Down Wellbeing Festival

Special Olympics Ulster’s Health & Wellness Team were delighted to take part in the North Down Wellbeing Festival, a fantastic feel-good weekend celebrating wellbeing, connection and community.

Held on Saturday 8th August at the Bangor Aurora Aquatic & Leisure Complex, the festival brought together more than 40 local organisations, offering free activities, talks, information and opportunities for people of all ages to discover new ways to support their health and wellbeing.

Our Special Olympics Ulster information stand provided a great opportunity to showcase the work of our Health & Wellness programmes and highlight the range of health and wellbeing initiatives available to our athletes. Visitors were also able to find out more about the opportunities available through Special Olympics Ulster for people with intellectual disabilities to become more active, healthy and connected within their communities.

The event was a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of Special Olympics Ulster, connect with local organisations and members of the community, and promote the importance of inclusive health and wellbeing opportunities for everyone.

We were delighted to be part of such a positive community event and to share the message that health, wellbeing, inclusion and participation are for everyone! 💙

📣 COME & TRY DAY – STARS IN THE SADDLE 🐴⭐

Special Olympics Ulster are delighted to confirm that STARS in the Saddle Special Olympics Sports Club are offering a Come & Try Day on Monday 24 August 2026.

The session is open to Working Trails, Independent & Supported Riders, and Class A, B & C.

📍 Glenleary Riding School, Ramelton, Co. Donegal
🕐 1:00pm
📅 Monday 24 August 2026

If you would like to take part or find out more, please contact Lisa on 086-8737584.

A fantastic opportunity to come along, meet the club and experience Special Olympics equestrian sport! 🐎💙

📢 Special Olympics Ireland Collection Day 💙

On Friday 25 September, Special Olympics Ireland will be holding a Collection Day at locations across Northern Ireland, and we need your support!

Collection Day is a fantastic opportunity to raise vital funds that help us continue providing year-round training, competitions and life-changing opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities across Ireland.

If you can spare a few hours to volunteer on the day, we'd love to have you on board. Every helping hand makes a real difference.

👉 Sign up to volunteer using the link below:
https://www.idonate.ie/forms/c/collectiondayvolunteerni26

Thank you for your continued support in helping our athletes shine! 💙

🦷 A fantastic partnership making a real difference!

A huge thank you to the incredible dental students and staff at Queen's University Belfast for their support in promoting better oral health for Special Olympics athletes at the Ireland Summer Games 2026.

Through hands-on screenings, oral health education and practical advice, the students helped athletes gain greater confidence in looking after their smiles while developing valuable experience in providing inclusive, person-centred care. Initiatives like this play an important role in reducing health inequalities and ensuring people with intellectual disabilities have access to the support they deserve.

At Special Olympics Ulster, we're proud to work alongside partners who share our commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of our athletes, both on and off the field of play.

https://www.qub.ac.uk/News/Allnews/2026/queens-dental-students-oral-health-special-olympics.html

Thank you to everyone at Queen's University Belfast for your continued support—we look forward to working together again in the future! 💙🦷

Now that's what you call a homecoming celebration! 🎉

A huge thank you to The Executive Office and Speaker of the Assembly Edwin Poots MLA for hosting such a memorable event for team Ulster's athletes. We were also delighted to welcome Junior Ministers Aisling Reilly MLA and Joanne Bunting MLA, along with Communities Minister Gordon Lyons MLA.

The afternoon kicked off with a Law Enforcement Torch Run, joined by the Police Service of Northern Ireland and An Garda Síochána. The event was made even more special as it also marked the 30th anniversary of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, whose unwavering support continues to champion inclusion for our athletes.

Well done to team Ulster again on record-breaking result! You inspire us all 💙

Blessed with great weather and even better spirits for the final day of the Ireland Games ☀️✨

A huge congratulations to all our athletes for the hard work they’ve put into months of training, and giving it their all the last few days 💪

Proud is an understatement!

An action-packed day and what can we say… you’re making us so proud, team Ulster 🥹🙌🏻

Rest up tonight, tomorrow it’s the final day of the Games🔥

A hugely successful morning so far - the medals are flying! Keep up the good work team Ulster ✨💪

Day 2 and the Ireland Games are off! Great to see everyone in action today. Go team Ulster 🙌🏻💙