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Irish swimmers Róisín Ní Riain and Dearbhaile Brady lead a medal haul with gold and silver wins, while other team members contribute to the nation's strong showing in the 2026 European para swimming competition
Ireland celebrated another triumphant day at the 2026 World Para Swimming European Championships with Róisín Ní Riain successfully defending her European title in the 100m Backstroke for the S13 classification.
Ní Riain delivered a commanding performance in the final, recording a time of 1:06.21 and finished more than two and a half seconds ahead of Italy's Carlotta Gilli. The Limerick native opened the day with a strong heat swim, being the fastest qualifier, and continued that momentum into the medal race. Afterwards she reflected on the significance of her victory and expressed gratitude towards her coaches, physiotherapist and the Irish team who cheered her on.
She credited the support from home for the progress she has made throughout the year and noted that the event is her main focus for the championships. Ní Riain also discussed her upcoming events: the 200m Individual Medley and the 50m Freestyle on Friday, outlining her strategy for maintaining a strong performance across the discipline and sticking to a plan that will enable her to contribute to Ireland's medal tally even in a category where she is not the strongest swimmer.
The National Centre in Limerick remains a key training hub for para athletes who are preparing for international competition, and Ní Riain's performance underscores the quality of coaching and sport science support available there. In addition to Ní Riain's triumph, Ireland's Dearbhaile Brady added a second silver medal to the country's haul during the week. Brady had previously captured silver in the 200m Individual Medley (SM6) and returned to the pool to contest the 50m Butterfly (S6).
She finished the race in 35.87 seconds, just 0.33 seconds behind gold, earning Ireland's fourth medal at the championships. After the race she admitted that she had a bit more in reserve and that the second half of the competition could have been tighter. She highlighted the camaraderie and mutual motivation she shares with fellow swimmer Róisín and credited their support for helping each other perform at a podium level. The championship also featured performances from other Irish para athletes.
Lisburn's Síomha Nic Brádaigh made her final appearance in the 100m Backstroke (S7) finishing sixth with a time of 1:34.00. Dylan Prenderville from County Clare, a debutant in the Irish squad, competed in the 50m Butterfly (S6) final and secured eighth place after setting a new personal best of 41.49 seconds in the morning session.
The Irish contingent of six para swimmers will continue to compete on the penultimate day of the championships on Friday, representing a broad class of events and demonstrating the depth of talent in Ireland's para swimming program. The event, which brings together athletes from across Europe, is a crucial platform for Irish swimmers to showcase their skills and build momentum for future international competitions.
The 2026 World Para Swimming European Championships therefore showcased Ireland's dominant presence in the sport through a series of strong medal finishes across different classifications. It highlighted the dedication of the athletes, the strategic planning of their support systems and the strong community spirit that links competitors together. As the championships progress, Irish swimmers continue to push the boundaries of performance, establishing themselves as consistent contenders in the para swimming arena.
Ireland Para Swimming World Para Swimming European Championships Róisín Ní Riain Dearbhaile Brady
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