Kayakers Michelle O’Keane and Liam Hynes and swimmer Patricia Larkin were among Special Olympic athletes honoured by Mayor of Galway City Eddie Hoare at a reception earlier this week (July 17).

Also invited to the mayoral reception held on their return from the 2023 Special Olympic World Summer Games in Berlin were Galwegian athletes Katie Dillion (athletics), Henry Cloran (football), Kevin Hardiman (golf) and Máire Connolly (gymnastics).

“This group of incredible athletes brought excitement and pride our way in June, and brought home a fantastic haul of medals and participation ribbons for Team Ireland,” Mayor Hoare said.

Pictured at the Galway City Mayoral Reception in their honour are Special Olympic athletes who represented Ireland at the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023, with gold, silver and bronze medals and participation ribbons. They are Katie Dillion (Athletics), Henry Cloran (Football), Kevin Hardiman (Golf), Máire Connolly (Gymnastics), Michelle O’Keane (Kayaking), Liam Hynes (Kayaking) and Patricia Larkin (Swimming), with Mayor Eddie Hoare, and Councillors Terry O’Flaherty, Frank Fahy, Clodagh Higgins, Donal Lyons and Martina O’Connor

“You are an inspiring group of people, and I wish to congratulate you on your fantastic achievement as individuals, as Galwegians and as representatives of your country,” he said.

He also extended congratulations to the coaches and volunteers who made the athletes’ journey possible and shared in the pride of family and friends who supported them.

Pictured at the Galway City Mayoral Reception on Monday 17 July 2023 in honour of the Special Olympic athletes on their return from the 2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Berlin, is Patricia Larkin (Swimming), signing the Mayoral Book

The World Games in Berlin, Germany, took place from June 17th to 25th and was the largest inclusive sporting event in the world. Over 7,000 athletes from 190 nations competed in 26 different sports.

Team Ireland was represented by 73 athletes and over 60 volunteers and brought home a spectacular 24 gold, 23 silver and 29 bronze medals and three participation ribbons at the games.