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Róisín Ní Riain and Dearbhaile Brady earned silver medals in the 2026 World Para Swimming European Championships in Kocaeli, Turkey. Ní Riain broke her personal best in the 100m freestyle (S13), while Brady dominated the 200m individual medley (SM6). The dual success highlights the growth of Irish para swimming on the European stage.
Róisín Ní Riain and Dearbhaile Brady made headline news at the 2026 World Para Swimming European Championships in Kocaeli, Turkey, as both Irish competitors captured silver medal s despite facing fierce competition from their European peers.
Ní Riain, a 22‑year‑old swimmer from the National Centre in Limerick, generated buzz by breaking her personal best in the 100‑meter freestyle (S13). She leapt into the final as the fourth‑fastest qualifier after posting 1:01.85 in the heats and then lowered her time to 1:00.52 in the evening finals, edging out a field that included the gold‑medallist, Italy's Carlotta Gilli, who swam 1:00.21.
The race is notable because the 100‑meter freestyle is not contested in the Paralympic Games for Ní Riain's classification, adding prestige and personal achievement to her European podium finish. In interviews, she spoke about the mental preparedness that had underpinned her performance: she felt confident that a strong swim was possible if she executed the race plan - specifically, a tapered sprint - correctly.
"This is my first time racing the 100m freestyle at a major international championship, so I didn't really know what to expect," she said. "I knew that if I executed it correctly, there was a good swim in me, so I'm so happy. " Brady, who competes in the SM6 classification, delivered an equally compelling performance in the 200‑meter individual medley.
With a time of 3:20.78, she took the silver medal, finishing more than five seconds ahead of the bronze medallist. Brady opened the race with a dominant 50‑meter split, then settled into a steady pace to hold onto second place for the remainder of the event. The swimmer explained her nerves at the start of the competition and how her focus on training consistency helped her stay composed.
"It was the first event, so I just wanted to start off by getting into racing," she said. "I was quite nervous, so I'm happy with how it went. It's a big change. I think this year was just about getting more training and consistency.
" The Irish team was not limited to the two silver medallists. More than a dozen Irish swimmers participated, including Deaten Registe, who finished fourth in the 100‑meter breaststroke (SB14) with 1:08.36, just 0.29 seconds shy of Ukrainian bronze medallist Vasyl Krainyk. Emersyn Scully, a swimmer from New Ross, achieved a fourth‑consecutive personal best with 1:24.90 in the same discipline, finishing sixth in the final.
The team also included forward‑looking athletes such as Síomha Nic Brádaigh and Dylan Prenderville, who are slated to compete in the upcoming day of the championships. Beyond the medal counts, the event underscored the growth of Irish para swimming on the European stage, showcasing athletes who deliver personal bests while competing at the highest level of international sport.
The championships demonstrate that with disciplined training routines and mental resilience, athletes coming from national centres in Limerick and Dublin can translate their hard work into podium finishes against the best in the continent. Their achievements not only provide visibility for the sport but also inspire the next generation of swimmers to pursue competitive excellence. Overall, the Republic of Ireland secured two silver medals and placed the spotlight on a broader squad that displayed strong performances across disciplines.
The athletes' achievements will be celebrated ahead of the next phase of the competition, as they prepare to contend for additional medals in upcoming events. The championships, held from 24 to 30 August 2026, featured more than 30 countries competing across 25 disciplines. The Irish delegation's strong showing is a testament to the robust support systems at local National Centres and the dedication of the athletes themselves
Róisín Ní Riain Dearbhaile Brady World Para Swimming European Championships Kocaeli Silver Medal Para Swimming
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