IRISH OLYMPIANS' ASSOCIATION
Once and Olympian, Always an Olympian
The Irish Olympians’ Association (IOA) unites Ireland’s Olympians to honour their achievements and maintain a community among the over 1,000 athletes who have proudly represented Ireland at the Olympic Games since 1924.
Mission
The IOA is dedicated to fostering the values of the Olympic movement, in collaboration with the Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI), the IOA aims to enhance engagement between Olympians, current and aspiring athletes, and the broader sporting community.
Through initiatives that promote contact, provide resources, and elevate the role of Olympians as role models in society, the IOA strives to strengthen the Olympic legacy in Ireland and ensure that future generations are inspired, supported, and empowered to achieve their sporting goals.
The Irish Olympians’ Association is one of 148 National Olympians Associations (NOAs) spread across all five continents.
The IOA is mandated by the Executive Committee of the OFI and is led by an Honorary President.
The current President of the IOA is Athens 2004 & Beijing 2008 Olympian Roisin McGettigan-Dumas, who took up the reigns from Olympic Gold Medalist (Melbourne 1956) Ronnie Delany in December 2023.
You can get in touch with Roisin by email
Olympian's Recources
Team Ireland Plaques
Ireland’s Olympians come from communities across the country and the world. If you, your club, school or community organisation would like to recognise an Olympian, you can now apply for a special plaque.
The Team Ireland plaque features the Olympic rings, alongside the name and details of the Olympian being commemorated.
World Olympians Association
The WOA supports the more than 100,000 living Olympians throughout the world and works for their benefit at all stages of their lives.
The WOA also handles registrations for OLY – a post nominal (like PhD, MD) that gives a 24/7 public recognition of years of hard work, dedication and promotion of the Olympic values.
Irish Olympians’ Association Facebook Group
Connect with other Irish Olympians and stay in touch with news and events at home and abroad.
This is a closed facebook group for Irish Olympians and those interested in Team Ireland’s heritage.
Join the IOA Database
Every athlete who has been selected to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games is automatically a member of the IOA, however the IOA doesn’t always have contact details for athletes who competed in Games pre the internet age.
If you, or any Irish Olympian you know does not already receive occasional emails from us, please fill in our form and help us update our database.
Irish Olympians' Association News
School Honours McClenaghan and McKibbon with Commemorative Olympic Plaques
Olympians Rhys McClenaghan and Peter McKibbon have been honoured by their former secondary school with commemorative plaques. McClenaghan, who won gold in the men’s Pommel Horse at Paris 2024, and McKibbon, a member of Ireland’s men’s hockey team in Paris, both attended Regent House School in Newtownards as teenagers. It has recognised their Olympic achievements [...]
Olympian Spotlight – Julie Parkes & Carol-Ann Heavey
Swimmers Carol-Ann Heavey and Julie Parkes at Dublin airport before departing for the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. More than 1,000 people have represented Ireland at the Olympic Games since our nation first participated in Paris 1924. In the second of an ongoing series exploring the personal stories of Ireland's Olympians, Julie Brown (nee [...]
Olympian Spotlight – Terry McHugh
Earlier this month, Terry McHugh was presented with the Olympic Federation of Ireland President’s Award in recognition of his achievements across two sports and six Olympic Games. As well as being the only Irish athlete to have competed in so many Games, Terry is in an exclusive club of dual winter and summer Olympians - [...]
100 YEARS OF TEAM IRELAND CELEBRATED AT CENTENARY OLYMPIC BALL
PHOTOS Last night, over 700 guests gathered for the special Team Ireland Centenary Olympic Ball, at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin. In 1924 the first team competed for Ireland at the Olympic Games in Paris, and throughout the evening athletes and performances spanning the one hundred years were celebrated. The unique event was [...]
Team Ireland Kickstart Centenary Celebrations at Trinity College Dublin
Yesterday, the Olympic Federation of Ireland brought together a number of Olympians to kickstart our centenary celebrations at Trinity College Dublin. Last night's function was the first in a series of events that Team Ireland has planned throughout our Centenary year to celebrate our Olympians, recognise their achievements and inspire the next generation of athletes to [...]
Roisin McGettigan-Dumas Becomes President of the IOA, Olympic Champion Ronnie Delany Steps Down
OLYMPIAN ROISIN MCGETTIGAN-DUMAS BECOMES THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE IRISH OLYMPIANS’ ASSOCIATION OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST RONNIE DELANY STEPS DOWN AND IS AWARDED THE IOA PRESIDENT EMERITUS TITLE Olympic Champion Ronnie Delany has stepped down from his position as President of the Irish Olympians’ Association and the mantle will be passed to 2008 Team Ireland […]
HUGH RUSSELL – OLYMPIC BRONZE MEDALLIST – RIP
The Olympic Federation of Ireland is sad to hear of the passing of Olympic Bronze Medallist Hugh Russell. The Belfast boxer died following a short illness and is remembered fondly by the Irish Olympic and boxing community. He won his bronze medal in the Men’s Flyweight category at the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. The OFI [...]
Olympic Medallist Jim McCourt RIP
Olympic Bronze Medallist in Boxing, Jim McCourt dies The Olympic Federation of Ireland is sad to learn of the passing of Tokyo 1964 Olympic Medallist, Jim McCourt. The Belfast boxer was one of 18 boxers to win an Olympic medal for Ireland and was the only Irish medallist at the Olympic Games in Tokyo […]
WATCH: BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS
TOKYO MEDAL MOMENTS REVISITED IN MINI-DOCUSERIES OLYMPIC BRONZE MEDAL IN WOMEN’S FOUR THROWBACK As athletes pass the halfway mark in the shortest Olympic cycle in history, the Olympic Federation of Ireland today launched the first film in a mini docuseries reflecting on some of the Olympic medal moments from Tokyo 2020, a timely reminder of […]
FINTAN MCCARTHY – ON TOP OF THE WORLD
NO ONE was surprised when Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy won the World Lightweight Double Sculls title last month, given that the reigning Olympic champions already also had one World (2019) and two European titles (2021/2022) in their locker. What made it unusual though was their lack of training together this season due to the […]
IOC President-elect Kirsty Coventry shares her vision for the Olympic Movement with her leadership about to begin
In a special conversation with Benny Bonsu from the Olympic Channel, President-elect Kirsty Coventry reflects on her journey as an athlete and the various positions she has held within the Olympic Movement. On Monday, 23 June 2025, the IOC will mark a historic moment as President Thomas Bach officially passes the presidency to President-elect Kirsty [...]
Flogas Powers the Road to LA 2028 with Renewed Olympic Partnership
Flogas Performance Programme delivers support to over 40 Team Ireland athletes for 2025! Flogas, the experts in gas, electricity and renewable energy solutions has reaffirmed its commitment to Irish sport by renewing its partnership with the Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) through to the LA 2028 Olympic Games. As the Official Energy Partner of Team [...]
Nathan Wiffen – Flogas Performance Fund
Nathan Wiffen is a high performance swimmer that represents Ireland internationally. He recently went on a 2,133 metre (7,000 feet) High Altitude Training Camp in Flagstaff, Arizona, to train in conditions that will help to improve his oxygen levels in the pool for competitions. A big thank you to Flogas for supporting our athletes and [...]
Aifric Keogh attends International Athletes’ Forum 2025
International Athletes' Forum 2025 empowers and inspires over 400 athlete representatives. More than 400 athlete representatives gathered in Lausanne, Switzerland, for the 12th International Athletes' Forum (IAF). Hosted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes’ Commission (AC) , athlete representatives from 200 National Olympic Committees (NOCs), 54 International Federations (IFs), the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), [...]
In The News – June 16th
Men’s Hockey | Ireland Edge Belgium in FIH Pro League Thriller Ireland secured a stunning 3–2 victory over world-ranked #2 Belgium in Antwerp - their first win of the 2024/25 FIH Pro League season. Louis Rowe opened the scoring; Lee Cole struck twice with penalty corners. Jaime Carr delivered a Player of the Match performance, [...]
STARS SHINE THROUGH HEAVY RAIN AT K-CLUB FOR ANNUAL TEAM IRELAND OLYMPIC GOLF FUNDRAISER
Funds raised directly impact high-performance athletes on their Olympic journey The Olympic Federation of Ireland’s fourth annual Team Ireland Olympic Golf Fundraiser took place yesterday (12 June) at the prestigious K Club in Co. Kildare. Despite persistent rain throughout the day, spirits remained high as 120 golfers took part in the tournament, followed by [...]
Eve McMahon ranked as World Number One
Irish sailor Eve McMahon of Howth Yacht Club has achieved another historic milestone, becoming World Number One in the latest World Sailing rankings, released on June 10th. This marks the first time McMahon has held the top spot, following her impressive bronze medal performance at the ILCA World Championships in China last month and a [...]
In The News – June 9th
Athletics | Healy & Doyle Shine in Rome Diamond League Sarah Healy claimed a spectacular win in the women’s 1500m at the Rome Diamond League, clocking 3:59.17 - her first-ever victory in the series. After moving into medal contention in the final lap, she surged past elite rivals to take gold, joining just Ciara Mageean [...]
IN THE NEWS – June 3rd
From silverware in Plovdiv to record-breaking runs in Poland, a Nations Cup win in Canada, and podiums in badminton and golf, Irish athletes were once again a force on the international stage. Rowing | European Championship Medals in Plovdiv Ireland’s rowers delivered a strong showing at the European Rowing Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, returning home [...]
Eve McMahon’s Breakthrough Moment As She Wins Her First Senior Medal
Eve McMahon has had so much success at youth and age-level sailing that it is easy to presume her historic bronze medal at the ILCA 6 sailing World Championships in Qingdao in May was expected. The 21-year-old Howth Yacht Club star’s phenomenal trajectory – back-to-back World U21 titles and 13th on her Olympic debut last [...]