Ireland

Republic of Ireland

Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...

competed at the 2008 Summer Paralympics

2008 Summer Paralympics

The 2008 Summer Paralympic Games, the thirteenth Paralympics, took place in Beijing, China from September 6 to September 17, 2008. As with the 2008 Summer Olympics, equestrian events were held in Hong Kong and sailing events in Qingdao....

in Beijing

Beijing

Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...

. Ireland sent 45 athletes, competing in 9 sports. The country's flagbearer at the Games' opening ceremony was Patrice Dockery.

Medallists

Medal	Name	Sport	Event
		Athletics Athletics at the 2008 Summer Paralympics Athletics at the 2008 Summer Paralympics were held in Beijing National Stadium from September 8 to September 17. There were 160 gold medals in this sport.-Classification:Athletes are given a classification depending on the type and extent of their disability...	Men's 800m - T37
		Athletics Athletics at the 2008 Summer Paralympics Athletics at the 2008 Summer Paralympics were held in Beijing National Stadium from September 8 to September 17. There were 160 gold medals in this sport.-Classification:Athletes are given a classification depending on the type and extent of their disability...	Men's 100m - T13
		Athletics Athletics at the 2008 Summer Paralympics Athletics at the 2008 Summer Paralympics were held in Beijing National Stadium from September 8 to September 17. There were 160 gold medals in this sport.-Classification:Athletes are given a classification depending on the type and extent of their disability...	Men's 200m - T13
		Swimming Swimming at the 2008 Summer Paralympics The swimming events of the 2008 Summer Paralympics were held in the Beijing National Aquatics Center between September 7 and September 15, 2008. A total of 140 gold medals were expected to be distributed.-Classifications:...	Men's 400m Freestyle - S6
		Boccia Boccia at the 2008 Summer Paralympics Boccia at the 2008 Summer Paralympics consisted of seven events. The competitions were held in the Beijing National Convention Center from September 7 to September 12.-Classfication:...	Mixed Individual - BC1

Athletics

Ireland sent ten representatives in athletics, including John McCarthy

John McCarthy (athlete)

John McCarthy is a paralympic athlete from Ireland competing mainly in category F32/51 club throw and discus throw events.John competed in the club throw and discus throw at both the 2004 and 2008 Summer Paralympics, winning the silver medal in the discus in 2004.-References:...

, Michael McKillop

Michael McKillop

Michael Gerard McKillop is an Irish athlete who has a mild form of cerebral palsy.He won the 800m title at the 2006 IPC Athletics World Championships, clocking just over 2:02...

, Jason Smyth

Jason Smyth

Jason Smyth is a visually impaired Irish Paralympian. His central vision is affected by Stargardt's disease. He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a Mormon...

 and Patrice Dockery.

Cycling

Ireland sent four representatives in cycling: Cathal Miller, Enda Smyth, Michael Delaney and Catherine Walsh. The team was managed by Denis Toomey who competed in the tandem event in Athens and made great strides in cycling in Ireland for disabled athletes

Equestrian

Eilish Byrne was Ireland's one representative, competing in dressage with horse Youri.

Sailing

Five Irish athletes competed in the following events in sailing:

• Two-Person Keelboat - SKUD18
• Three-Person Keelboat - Sonar

Swimming

Ireland sent six representatives in swimming, including Dave Malone, Ellen Keane and Darragh McDonald.

See also

• 2008 Summer Paralympics
  2008 Summer Paralympics
  The 2008 Summer Paralympic Games, the thirteenth Paralympics, took place in Beijing, China from September 6 to September 17, 2008. As with the 2008 Summer Olympics, equestrian events were held in Hong Kong and sailing events in Qingdao....
  
  
• Ireland at the Paralympics
  Ireland at the Paralympics
  Ireland has competed at every Summer Paralympic Games but the country has never taken part in the Winter Paralympics. Irish athletes have won 178 Summer Paralympic medals, 47 gold, 57 silver and 74 bronze...
  
  
• Ireland at the 2008 Summer Olympics
  Ireland at the 2008 Summer Olympics
  Ireland competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics, held in Beijing, China. It was the 19th Summer Games that Ireland has contested as a nation under the Olympic Council of Ireland.-Medalists:- Athletics:...
  
  

External links

• Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games Official Site
• International Paralympic Committee
• "Speech by Mr Martin Cullen T.D. Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism at the announcement of the Irish Team for the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games", Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, Irish government website
• "Paralympics: Gold fever", Herald, September 3, 2008