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 by mounting two plaques in its main building – a lasting tribute to their accomplishments and an inspiration for future students.

Peter McKibbin, who captained the school’s hockey team, expressed his excitement at seeing the plaque:

“It’s very cool, I think it’s a very nice way to commemorate our achievements over the last 12 months so I am very happy to have it (the plaque) up.”

Olympic champion Rhys McClenaghan was similarly excited about his plaque and the experience of returning to his old school: “It’s so good to be back here at my school in Regent House, I am so proud to be back here and show all the kids my medal.”

Erect a Plaque in Your School or Club

Any school or club can erect a plaque to commemorate their local Olympic hero – find out how:

More Team Ireland News

OFI AGM APPROVES CONVERSION OF SIX SPORTING BODIES TO FULL MEMBERSHIP

AGM reflects on a successful Paris 2024, looking forward to Milano Cortina 2026 and LA 2028   The Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) today hosted its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Alex Hotel in Dublin. The event brought together representatives from its member federations, with several special resolutions discussed during the evening, as well [...]

Ciara McCallion Appointed as Games Head of Performance Support for Team Ireland at Milano Cortina 2026

The Winter Olympics run from the 6 - 22 February, 2026. The Olympic Federation of Ireland is delighted to announce the appointment of Ciara McCallion as Games Head of Performance Support for Team Ireland at the Winter Olympic Games in Milano Cortina in February 2026. In this role, McCallion will lead the performance support provision [...]

Wind Powered Performance – How Flogas are supporting Olympic Sailors Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove

Marginal gains, fine tuning, the elusive final pieces of the jigsaw. Whatever metaphor you care to choose, everyone in high performance sport is desperately seeking an edge. The margins between winning a medal or not in Olympic sport are so miniscule that athletes leave no stone unturned, believing that even the tiniest gain can lead [...]

Celebrating the Olympic Spirit: the Irish Olympians’ Association BBQ

The Irish Olympic community came together in the courtyard of Olympic House on Sport Ireland Campus for the inaugural Olympic Day BBQ. The event brought together Olympians spanning six decades of Irish sporting excellence, along with their families, friends, and staff from the Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) for an afternoon of connection, celebration, and [...]

In The News – June 23rd

Athletics Track Stars Hit Their Stride in Paris  At the Paris Diamond League, Sarah Healy delivered a brilliant performance in the women’s 1500m, clocking a new personal best of 3:57.15 to finish second behind Kenya’s Nelly Chepchirchir. The run continues Healy’s stunning season and edges her ever closer to Ciara Mageean’s Irish record. In 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 [...]

Scroll to Top