Katie-George Dunlevy presented her award by Donegal Municipal District
Katie-George Dunlevy, Ireland’s most successful female Paralympian, was honoured for her achievements at a Donegal Municipal District Reception.
The multiple Paralympic gold medallist, Katie, whose family hails from Mountcharles and Glencolmcille, spoke with former Donegal Democrat sports editor, Peter Campbell, and heard speeches from dignitaries, family, and friends.
Campbell said the reception was “a proud day for the parish of Inver” and concluded his interview with Katie-George by saying: “How privileged we should be to have someone of this stature and ability at the top of her sport in the world for over ten years. She is a very worthy recipient of this award.”
Dunlevy was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa as a child and is registered severely sight-impaired, however, she has gone on to achieve a sporting career full of medals in para-cycling and para-rowing.
She has won eight Olympic medals, including four golds and four silvers in the four Paralympic Games she has competed in. Additionally, she has won 13 Road World Championship medals and four Track World Championship medals.
At the Road World Championships, Dunlevy has won eight gold medals in both the time trial and road race events. In 2017, 2018, and 2024, she won the double at the championships, earning first place in both disciplines.
Before competing for Ireland in para-cycling, Dunlevy represented Great Britain, where she was born, in para-rowing, winning two world championships in a four-person boat in 2004 and 2005. She was also an accomplished athlete in Track and Field.
During her interview with Campbell, she spoke of how she became so invested in sports as a youngster, her career highlights, and thoughts on competing at the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles.
Katie-George also commented on the importance of visiting local schools. She stated: “When I was younger, and if I had someone come into the school and show me a medal, even someone with a disability, or visual impairment, and say ‘look what I achieved and you can do it,’ I think it is a very important message to share with children.
“That life can have its challenges, but it can be amazing, and you can achieve anything that you want to achieve. To believe in yourself is a very important message I want to share with children and everyone.”
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Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Niamh Kennedy, said Katie-George was “a role model to all young girls in particular, as to what can be achieved through commitment, determination, courage and perseverance,” and that she had scaled the heights of her sport and reached the summit.
“I want to let her know that we, the people in this county, are so proud of her,” said Cllr Kennedy. “I think I speak for everyone when I say to Katie-George that we hold a special place for you in our hearts and that you will always be welcome in Donegal.”
Cllr Noel Jordan, Cathoirleach of Donegal Municipal District, stated: “Not alone is Katie-George an incredible athlete, she is also a special, but humble person.
“I have witnessed this at all the homecoming events we hosted on her return from the Paralympics. The highlights for Katie-George at those events were mixing with people, young and old, and letting them hold her medals.
“The most important request Katie-George used to make was when she would be attending all the local schools. That is where you see the real Katie-George, sharing her medals, but most importantly, sharing her story, inspiring the youth to follow their dreams.”
Ted McCaffrey of Donegal Bay Cycling Club presented Katie-George a donation from the club, a cheque payment to assist in training for the upcoming World Championships.
“We are very proud as a club to have Katie-George as one of our members,” said McCaffrey. “To be able to see Katie-George, an elite athlete competing at the highest level of her sport on the international stage, and to wear our club colours is something we are very proud of and very grateful for.”
Concluding the speeches, Katie-George’s father, John Dunlevy, who hails from Mountcharles, reminisced on Katie-George’s love of sport and spoke of how proud her grandparents would be of her.
“She always wanted to do any sport, it didn’t matter what sport,” said John.