Limerick hurling legend Declan Hannon urges public to try exciting ‘once-in-a-lifetime' challenge
The 'once-in-a-lifetime' fundraising event, which takes place on Friday, June 20, invites participants to abseil 150 feet from the iconic Hogan Stand in Croke Park.
All funds raised will support over 6,800 athletes with intellectual disabilities across 230 Special Olympics clubs nationwide, including many in Limerick and the wider Munster region.
Declan, a four-time All-Ireland winning captain with Limerick, is backing the event alongside Special Olympics medallists Anita Forde and Emma Costelloe.
Speaking at the launch, he encouraged individuals and businesses to sign up and take part. 'Sport is something that everyone should be able to enjoy and experience,' Declan said.
'By taking part in this event, you'll be helping to promote inclusive sport for people with an intellectual disability right across the country. I would encourage everyone to get out of your comfort zone and take on this challenge for a great cause,' he added.
The challenge is part of Eir's 40th year of continuous support for Special Olympics Ireland.
Denis Maher, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Special Olympics Ireland, said: 'Taking part in the Croke Park Abseil Challenge is a fantastic way to raise funds and support our athletes while also enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
'We're so grateful to Eir and Declan Hannon for helping us launch this event during such a special anniversary year.'
Those looking to make a difference and take on the unique experience can sign up now at www.specialolympics.ie.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
26-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Special night for Louth volunteers who support Special Olympics athletes
Dundalk After Dark The Argus Today at 01:00 On Thursday evening we headed for Byrne's Bar in Hill Street where a night of recognition was taking place for the volunteers who help out with the Special Olympics athletes to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sport for children and adults with a learning disability and a good crowd had turned out specially for the occasion. I wasn't too long there when I met up with Caroline and David O'Hare from Kingswood who were in great form. David was fresh from the recent win of the Dundalk FC Futsal in a national competition and Caroline said it was a certificate presentation evening in appreciation of all the hard work put in down through the years. She went on to say, apart from the athletics, most of the other sports are finished for the season and this was a thank you night for everyone who helped out.
Irish Independent
16-05-2025
- Irish Independent
‘They just thrive with it' – Dublin family's joyful Special Olympics journey
Mark Beddis's daughter Aoibh (8) is currently involved in the organisation's young athlete programme and his other daughter Laoise (13) has graduated from it. Mark (50) from Malahide, north Dublin, said: 'We've had nothing but wonderful experiences with the Special Olympics.' The programme is designed for children with intellectual disabilities from the ages of four to 12 to engage with play-based physical activities that build fundamental movement skills such as running, catching, throwing, and balance. We were trying to find activities for the girls to do, and this was one thing they could do It sets them up for lifelong participation in sport, building confidence and fine motor skills, something that the Beddis family have experienced firsthand. The family got involved in the programme in 2020, which was challenging, but the Saturday mornings online broke up the week for the family. Mark said: 'We were trying to find activities for the girls to do, and this was one thing they could do. We still have the yoga mats, bouncing balls and all kinds of stuff in the house.' Once normality returned, the two girls joined in person, along with getting involved in basketball in Donabate. Laoise then eventually graduated from the programme and joined their local athletics club. 'They just thrive with it. It really has made them stronger, fitter, healthier and more confident and brought so many more friends into their lives. We often visit the Down Syndrome Centre in Swords. But from bringing the girls to the programme in Donabate, it has opened up another huge amount of friends for them. Aoibh is a bit shorter, but she plays amongst much bigger kids, and she runs like a lunatic and steals and bounces the ball 'It's also taken the girls to the next level to help them find their sport. They are both amazing at basketball, and very different as well. ADVERTISEMENT 'With Laoise everything's exactly the same all the time; she likes routine. She'll stand there in front of the basketball hoop at the free throw line and just put them all in, nine times out of 10. She had an incredible skill level. 'Then Aoibh is a bit shorter, but she plays amongst much bigger kids, and she runs like a lunatic and steals and bounces the ball. 'We went to a Special Olympics tournament in Cork, which was lovely to spend time with all the families. And then, of course, we weren't sure whether Aoibh would be able to do it, because she's so small. 'She's only half my size. But she ran around with six foot four guys, robbing the ball of them - no bother on her at all.' The girls have learnt skills that they can rely on for the rest of their lives, from throwing a ball to doing star jumps. Their balance has also improved, which can be a major challenge for some children with intellectual disabilities. Not only have Aoibh and Laoise benefited from the initiative, but so has their sister Róisín (11). 'Róisín does not have a disability, but she comes along and helps sometimes. She might show off a bit that she can do something and then help them do it, holding their hands on the balance beams, or setting the hurdles up, or whatever is needed. She's always made to feel welcome.' Laoise also helps out sometimes, after graduating from the programme herself, a testament to its success. Being involved in the Special Olympics has also enhanced Mark and his wife Ruth's (45) lives. 'I meet up with the dads' group for pints about twice a year. I'm hoping in the future we'll get out more together, but we also have a WhatsApp group going as well.' 'You know there's always someone there going through the same battles that you are. Sometimes you do get worried and stressed about things, but you will find someone else has probably actually been through the same problem you've had and gotten out the other end of it. 'My wife also goes out with some of the mums, even on trips away.' But the Special Olympics has been a part of the couple's lives, long before they had children. Ruth was a volunteer at the 2003 Games when it was held in Dublin and Mark, a pharmacist, was part of a temporary pharmacy set up in the Olympic village, also in Dublin in 2010. 'I remember the CEO [of Special Olympics Ireland] Matt English showing me around the village. I never thought this would be a personal thing, but my God, it stuck with me how wonderful it was, and the skill levels, which were astonishing. A recent report on the young athletes programme, it was found that before getting involved, just over 50pc of children mastered any fundamental movement skills. After an eight-week targeted intervention, there was a significant improvement in movement and object manipulation skills.
Irish Independent
10-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Limerick hurling legend Declan Hannon urges public to try exciting ‘once-in-a-lifetime' challenge
The 'once-in-a-lifetime' fundraising event, which takes place on Friday, June 20, invites participants to abseil 150 feet from the iconic Hogan Stand in Croke Park. All funds raised will support over 6,800 athletes with intellectual disabilities across 230 Special Olympics clubs nationwide, including many in Limerick and the wider Munster region. Declan, a four-time All-Ireland winning captain with Limerick, is backing the event alongside Special Olympics medallists Anita Forde and Emma Costelloe. Speaking at the launch, he encouraged individuals and businesses to sign up and take part. 'Sport is something that everyone should be able to enjoy and experience,' Declan said. 'By taking part in this event, you'll be helping to promote inclusive sport for people with an intellectual disability right across the country. I would encourage everyone to get out of your comfort zone and take on this challenge for a great cause,' he added. The challenge is part of Eir's 40th year of continuous support for Special Olympics Ireland. Denis Maher, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Special Olympics Ireland, said: 'Taking part in the Croke Park Abseil Challenge is a fantastic way to raise funds and support our athletes while also enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 'We're so grateful to Eir and Declan Hannon for helping us launch this event during such a special anniversary year.' Those looking to make a difference and take on the unique experience can sign up now at
