Deaf Sports Ireland

"I haven’t really let my cochlear implants stop me" says Roscommon footballer Aisling Hanly on defying limits (pay wall)

Summer camp for Deaf and hearing teenagers in Galway.

Congratulations to Maggie Owens on another successful ISL Summer camp!

The participants had a fantastic weekend in Galway, enjoying the beautiful weather, the International Arts Festival, and lots of fun activities.

Maggie offered a huge thank you to all the wonderful children, amazing leaders, ISL interpreters, volunteers, funders, HSE Dublin Midlands Lottery Awards, Kildare County Council, The Pod Factory and all those who supported the camp along the way and a special thanks to everyone in Galway who helped make the weekend so memorable.

Special praise went to Christy McElliot from FAIreland for the football training session, and Galway Hibernians A.F.C. for allowing us to use their facilities.

Gillian O Connor and Greg Faherty for their support in Galway and getting Pizzas from Dough Bros, Claddagh Museum, Galway University and their ambassador, Rafta; Charlie Hughes for the team-building workshop; and Galway Deaf Club for the lovely and very warm welcome.

Congratulations on Gemma & Rebecca Whelan who finished 2nd and 4th in their respective age categories at the national open water championships. Both Swimmers will represent Ireland over the coming months at the European Deaf Youth Games 2026 and the Deaf Swimming Championships in the coming months.

Swim Ireland Dolphin Swimming Club

@swimireland National Open Water Championships 2026. Huge congratulations to Gemma who came home in second place in the 18+, 5K and her younger sister Rebecca, who came 4th in the U16 category. Well done ladies. Both Dolphin Swimmers are Irish Deaf athletes who are trail blazing a path for all Irish Deaf female athletes. Choppy conditions today and fantastic results for both girls ❤️❤️❤️ DolphinSC are so proud of you both. @munsterswimming @hpy_swimming @swim_coach_mick @deafsportsireland @trinitycollegedublin @tudublinsport @hersport.ie @corksportspartnership @michealmartintd @mary.r.desmond @munsterswimming

Today, Deaf Sports Ireland remembers the anniversary of founding member Sean Kelly, who sadly passed away on this day 25 years ago.

Sean passed away suddenly at the 37th CISS Congress held in conjunction with the 19th Summer Deaflympics at the Jolly Midas Hotel in Rome, Italy, on Saturday, 21st July 2001. His death was a profound shock to the Irish Deaf Sports Community.

On the same day, the Irish soccer team celebrated a significant 7-1 victory over Malaysia. However, their joy turned to sorrow upon hearing the tragic news in the dressing room.
Sean was a prominent figure in the Irish Deaf sports community and was one of the six founders of the Irish Deaf Sports Association (IDSA), now known as Deaf Sports Ireland.

Sean also managed the Irish Deaf football team during its first attempt to qualify for the World Games for the Deaf in 1973, narrowly losing to Belgium and Great Britain, but despite this setback, Ireland successfully qualified for the World Games for the Deaf for the first time four years later in Bucharest, Romania, after victories against Great Britain and Holland.

Throughout his career, Sean Kelly held various positions within the IDSA, including one term as President and represented the organisation at numerous EDSO & ICSD Congresses.

In honour of his contributions, Deaf Sports Ireland introduced the Sean Kelly Perpetual Cup in 2002, awarded at the Interprovincial Deaf Ladies Basketball Championship.

Delighted to play a small part supporting the fantastic work done by the organisers and staff of the Holy Family Deaf School Cabra'Summer Camp.

Irish Deaf Women's Futsal Team to compete at Winter Deaflympics 2027 in Insbruck, Austria.

FAI SchoolsFAIreland FAI Women Sport Ireland HerSport

It went all the way to the blackball as Fran "the force" Coyle met Jimmy the whirlwind White.

Deaf Village Ireland Local legend Fran Coyle met snooker legend Jimmy White at Cue Zone Dungarvan tonight. Fran relishing the opportunity to play his hero pushed the whirlwind all the way loosing out only on the final ball.

And that's a wrap, huge thanks to the Mark Kenny football academy for three fantastic days of football at the Holy Family Deaf School Cabra's Summer program. The camp continues to go from strength to strength thanks entirely to Maggie Owens are her dedicated staff. It's a pleasure to help and a privilege to be asked to help.

Another fabulous day at the Holy Family Deaf School Cabra's Summer Camp. Our happy campers enjoyed a 2nd day of football in glorious sunshine. A huge thanks to Mark Kenny who orchestrated the coaching at the Inspire Fitness Centre Cabra at Deaf Village Ireland.