Over 120 representatives from disability services across Ireland gathered to celebrate innovation, leadership and commitment to supporting active, healthy lifestyles for people with disabilities at the Active Disability Services Awards. 

Hosted by Active Disability Ireland and supported by the HSE and Sport Ireland, the awards are a national recognition of disability services delivering outstanding initiatives across Ireland to empower people with disabilities to lead healthy, active and connected lives. 

Facilitated through the Active Healthy Me programme, the impact extends beyond participation in physical activity; helping people build confidence, independence and new skills while strengthening their connections within their local communities. 

The event welcomed Minister of State at the Department of Children, Disability and Equality with special responsibility for Disability, Emer Higgins TD, to deliver the opening address. Guests also included representatives from Sport Ireland and the HSE, whose ongoing partnership is central to the success of the programme.  

Sport Ireland’s Mary Van Lieshout and HSE’s Niamh Dunne highlighted a record number of people with disabilities taking part in physical activity in Ireland, and the power of sport in creating belonging and connection with peers and opening new networks.  

This year’s awards received the highest number of submissions to date, highlighting initiatives that are transforming the lives of disability day service users through healthy lifestyle supports. Winners were selected by an independent judging panel representing the health, sport, education and community sectors. 

The awards were hosted by Dr Michael McKillop PLY, whose inspiring journey as one of Ireland’s most successful Paralympians brought energy and lived experience to the celebration. 

Active Disability Ireland CEO Brenda O’Donnell opened the event by welcoming guests and recognising the commitment of disability services across the country.

“Today is a celebration of the disability services and individuals who are taking part in the programme but also a recognition of the individuals who are making active and healthy lifestyles a reality for people with disabilities across Ireland. Through the Active Healthy Me programme, we continue to see the incredible impact that meaningful opportunities for physical activity, healthy living and community participation can have on people’s confidence, independence and overall wellbeing. On behalf of Active Disability Ireland, I want to congratulate all of the nominees and winners, and thank our partners in the HSE, Sport Ireland and Government for their continued support. Together, we are helping to create a future where every person with a disability has the opportunity to be active, included, and empowered to reach their full potential.”

Minister Emer Higgins congratulated the nominees and winners, recognising the vital role they play in creating inclusive opportunities for people with disabilities that extend beyond sport; allow them to discover talents, skills and lead meaningful lives. 

“I’m delighted to join Active Disability Ireland in celebrating the organisations and individuals who are making such a meaningful impact in communities right across the country. The work recognised through these awards reflects a shared commitment across Government to promoting inclusion, participation and equal opportunity for disabled people in every aspect of life.

Initiatives like the Active Healthy Me programme show how a whole-of-government approach, working in partnership with the HSE, Sport Ireland and community organisations, can support people to build confidence, independence and strong social connections through physical activity and healthy living. This is strongly aligned with the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People, which emphasises the right of every person to participate fully in community life, including sport, recreation and culture.

I want to congratulate all of the nominees and winners for their leadership and innovation in creating inclusive environments where people feel welcomed, valued and empowered to lead active, healthy lives. I also want to thank every disability day service delivering this programme across the country for their ongoing commitment, dedication and the real and lasting difference they are making in people’s daily lives.”

2026 Active Disability Services Award Winners 

Best Physical Activity Initiative: National Rehabilitation Hospital – Rehabilitative Training Unit (Dublin)
Recognising an outstanding initiative encouraging active lifestyles for service users. 

Best Outdoor Activity Initiative: New Horizons – RehabCare, Stillorgan (Dublin)
Recognising an outstanding outdoor activity programme promoting active lifestyles. 

Best Community Engagement Initiative: RehabCare Tullamore – Canal View Day Service (Offaly)
Recognising an outstanding partnership between a disability service and its local sports partnership or community club. 

Best Healthy Lifestyle Initiatives: CI Tobar – Donegal Community Inclusion Training Services, Falcarragh (Donegal)
Recognising an innovative initiative inspired by the Active Healthy Me programme’s healthy eating and hydration modules. 

Active Champion (Male): Jim Byrne, Reach Ability
Recognising a service user who inspires others through regular participation in physical activity. 

Active Champion (Female): Rita Donovan, AVISTA, St Vincent’s Centre
Recognising a service user who inspires others through regular participation in physical activity. 

Best Active Healthy Me Leader: Anne Deane, Enable Ireland Clare Adult Day Service
Recognising an outstanding staff member who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to delivering the Active Healthy Me programme. 

Senior Management Leadership Award: CI Tobar – Donegal Community Inclusion Training Services
Recognising a leadership team that has embedded healthy lifestyles into organisational culture, policy and service delivery.

Active Disability Ireland Chairperson, Brian O’Callaghan, closed the event by congratulating all nominees and recognising the collective commitment of disability services nationwide.

“The Active Disability Ireland Service Awards are about recognising the initiatives, organisations and individuals that are transforming lives through physical activity. Every finalist and winner has demonstrated what can be achieved when we lead by example, challenge barriers and create opportunities for people with disabilities to feel active, healthy and included in their communities. Today’s awards are a celebration not only of excellence, but of the collective commitment across Ireland to building a more inclusive future where everyone has the opportunity to participate and thrive. Congratulations to all the finalists, award winners and all attendees for helping make this vision a reality.“

The Active Disability Services Awards are hosted by Active Disability Ireland with the support of the HSE and Sport Ireland. They recognise disability services and individuals demonstrating excellence, innovation and leadership through the Active Healthy Me programme. 

Active Healthy Me programme is currently delivered in 592 disability day services across Ireland, equipping staff with practical tools to support people with disabilities to be more active, eat well and make healthier lifestyle choices. 

The awards reflect Active Disability Ireland’s ongoing commitment to supporting disability services nationwide to promote health, wellbeing, inclusion and meaningful participation through physical activity.

Photography: Thomas Doolin