Ground Sports
Zone Leaders
Aisling Renshaw
Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist
Enable Ireland
Aisling is a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist in Paediatric Neurodisability working with Enable Ireland in Dublin. Her passion has been to support children and young people to engage in meaningful physical activity participation to maintain healthy lifestyles. Aisling understands how important it is for children to participate in sports with their peers and how challenging this can be to achieve moderate to vigorous physical activity for children with moderate mobility limitations.
Finn Dempsey
First Frame Runner
Dublin, Ireland
At only 15 years old, Finn Dempsey who attends Enable Ireland services in Sandymount is a leading advocate for the sport of frame running in Ireland. Recently, he competed in the World Abilitysport International Frame Running Cup 2024 securing a silver medal in the T71 60 metres event. Enable Ireland is celebrating Finn’s achievements and sharing his story as part of our 2024 Life With No Limits campaign.
Sponsored by Nestlé Health Science
Come try Frame Running
Wednesday 3 June
15:00 - 17:00
Running track, Dangan, University of Galway
Saturday 6 June
09:00 - 11:00
University Sports Hall
For children & adults with physical disabilities
(6 years and over)
Cost: Free
Registration Required
Session where participants can watch demos, see equipment and try out frame running.
The relatively new para-athletic sport Frame Running (formerly known as Race Running) was developed for persons with disabilities and high support needs. It is currently a new sport being introduced to Ireland.
Frame Running is a form of assisted running. A running frame consists of a 3 wheeled frame, a chest plate, handlebars and a saddle. Runners are supported by the frame to propel themselves forward using their feet and legs, allowing them to engage safely in moderate to vigorous physical activity despite their mobility impairments.
The Frame Running sessions will consist of Come Try days, meeting athletes and informal discussions with those currently involved in setting up the sport in Ireland. A legacy of this will be to integrate Frame Running into two Athletics Clubs in Ireland.
Accessible Climbing
Thursday 4 June
Friday 5 June
Sports Centre
University of Galway
Cost: Free
Registration Required
Paul Kellagher
Accessible Adventures
Victoria Watterson
Enable Ireland
Ricky Bell
Mountaineering Ireland
Come try Rock Climbing! Rock climbing is a fun, empowering, and inclusive activity that helps build confidence, strength, and coordination. Our adapted climbing programs are designed to meet each child’s individual needs, using specialised equipment and supportive instruction to ensure safety and accessibility. Through climbing, children develop problem-solving skills, improve balance and mobility, and build social connections in a supportive environment. It’s a great way to encourage independence, boost self-esteem, and celebrate what every child can achieve.
The sessions will be facilitated by Paul Kellagher, lead instructor from Accessible Adventures Ireland, Victoria Watterson, a physiotherapist from Enable Ireland and Ricky Bell from Mountaineering Ireland.
Please note a parent/guardian will need to attend per each child attending the taster session.
There are 6 different climbing slots. To help you decide which one might be the best fit for you and your child we have provided some more information below.
Thursday 4 June
15:00 - 15:50 - High Support Session, Aged 10-13
16:00 - 16:50 - High Support Session, Aged 14-18
17:00 - 17:50 - Low Support Session, Aged 10-13
Friday 5 June
15:00 - 15:50 - Low Support Session, Aged 14-18
16:00 - 16:50 - Sensory Friendly Support Session, Aged 10-13
17:00 - 17:50 - Sensory Friendly Support Session, Aged 14-18
Please note that while we will try our best of accommodate everyone who wishes to attend, we have limited slots available. Those that express interest first will be offered places. Once you have been offered a place we will sent out the booking form from our instructor Paul from Accessible Adventures.
High support session
These sessions are for suitable for climbers who require significant physical assistance, specialised rigging (like 2:1 or 3:1 pulley systems), for climbers that have limited use of their arms or legs. For example, you may use a wheelchair most of the time and have a condition such as a spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, spina bifida etc.
Low support session
For children who can climb with standard or slightly modified equipment. For example, you may or may not use a mobility aid like a walker. You might get tired quickly or need more time to rest. You might require a more supportive harness to be able to participate in this group. You may use a mobility aid some of the time or not at all.
Sensory friendly
This session will be suitable for those that may prefer a quieter session. There will be no background music, there will be a sensory tent and some sensory toys to present if participants need to take a break from the session.
Ground Sports Information Hub
Thursday 4 June
09:00 - 13:00
Alumni Plaza
Outdoor Marquee
University of Galway
All welcome
No Registration Required
Come try Inclusive Cycling
Saturday 6 June
09:00 - 11:00
University Sports Hall
For children with physical disabilities
No Registration Required
Variety Ireland’s mobile cycling hub will be present to showcase inclusive cycling with their range of special mobility bikes.
Wheelchair Hurling Exhibition Match and Come Try Session
Saturday 6 June
13:00 - 16:00
Sports Hall
University of Galway
Cost: Free
Registration required for participants / spectators welcome
Coordinator
Eoin O'Sullivan
Enable Ireland
Wheelchair Hurling – An Inclusive Evolution of Ireland’s Ancient Game
Hurling is Ireland’s oldest game, with records dating back to the Middle Ages. Today, it is proudly governed by the Gaelic Athletic Association, with over 2,000 clubs across Ireland and a growing presence around the world.
In 1998, Tim Maher, a school principal at a special school in Dublin, introduced the concept of an inclusive version of our national sport: Wheelchair Hurling. What began with players using tennis racquets has evolved into a dynamic and skillful game played with specially adapted hurleys.
Wheelchair Hurling is played six-a-side indoors and continues to grow in popularity nationwide. The sport now features a National Interprovincial Championship, where juvenile and adult players compete for the All-Ireland title.
On 6 June, some of the country’s most talented juvenile players will showcase the speed, skill, and excitement of Wheelchair Hurling.
Players compete using a manual wheelchair, a hurley, and a helmet. Following the exhibition game, attendees will have the opportunity to take part in a ‘Come and Try’ session, with all necessary equipment provided on the day.
