The village of Clarinbridge was abuzz on Monday, June 26, as local residents prepared to welcome back Galway's newest Olympian, 19-year-old Máire Connolly, fresh off her gold and bronze wins in gymnastics at the Special Olympics in Berlin last week.
For 19-year-old Máire and her mother, Ber, the appreciation of the Special Olympics and the world stage it gives to differently abled and disabled athletes, began before she was even born.
"In a lovely bookend to the whole story, I was pregnant with Máire when the Special Olympics were on in Dublin and I was just blown away by it. I remember thinking what a fantastic event it was and what a great opportunity for Ireland to host it and to showcase the athletes. I loved watching the competitions and all while not knowing that Máire had Down Syndrome."
Máire has been supported in her love of sports, both gymnastics and skiiing, by her parents, Ber and Mike and younger brother Eoin, who just finished his last Leaving Cert exam on Wednesday, June 21 and flew to Berlin with his father the very next day to support his sister. When it came to getting Máire ready for Berlin, the trainers with the Galway Special Olympics Young Athletes Club which operate out of Renmore Gymnastics club, went above and beyond, holding extra practice sessions and making sure that Máire was comfortable and confident as she took to the world stage.
Perseverance
Máire's journey to the Special Olympics was not a smooth one, health 'wobbles' filled the Connolly household with anxiety about Máire's ability to be able to get to Berlin and compete, but she persevered on and did not even let a bad fall the day before her competition stop her from showcasing her skills and winning those medals. A passionate Westlife fan, a personalised video from singer, Shane Filan wishing her well, spurred Máire even further resulting in a gold in the balance beam and three bronze medals.
Return to Clarinbridge
Neighbours, friends and family in Clarinbridge spurred into action following Máire's wins, making sure that her homecoming would be a celebration of Máire, her family and the collective pride they have for the Connollys. A noble steed befitting the Olympian was organised, with Máire and her parents travelling in style in an open-top green 1952 Mercedez-Benz, escorted by Garda and Blood Bike volunteers on their motorcycles, past bonfires and neighbouring townlands before arriving in the decorated GAA Clubhouse just after 7:30pm.
An evening that can only be described as a testament to the community and organised by Paula Lee and Ber's friends in her running group and neighbours and friends, the clubhouse was resplendent in tricolours, fresh cakes and balloons with a slideshow of Máire's gymnastic career.
The MC for the occasion, neighbour John Hogan, spoke for the crowd in attendance when he said, "You made your community, your county and your country proud on a world stage. As they say, behind every great woman is a great family and it is definitely true in this case."
Mike took to the makeshift stage saying, "It's amazing, and surreal in the way it happened so fast. I'm a very proud dad."
"This is a huge testament to true community spirit where everyone comes together," said Ber adding, "We have had your support all along the way as well as your prayers and wishes and it has kept us going and helped us along the way.
"We are very proud of our little Olympian."
County pride
Team Ireland brought home a total of 24 gold medals, 23 silver, 29 bronze and three participation medals with Máire being one of eight Galwegians to be elevated to the title of Olympian for their performance at the games in the areas of athletics, kayaking, golf, gymnastics, football and swimming. These athletes were; Katie Dillon of Mountbellew in athletics, Michelle O'Keane and Liam Hyne's in Kayaking, Patricia Larkin of the Senior Tribes Special Olympics Club in swimming, Loughrea lads, Henry Cloran in football and Kevin Hardiman in golf.
