The organization was founded in 1978 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver to provide children and adults with a year-round sports programme .

[2] At the time, it was one of the first European programmes of the international Special Olympics movement.

Special Olympics Ireland creates opportunities for children and adults with learning (intellectual) disabilities to take part in various sports training and competition year-round.

To be eligible to take part in the Special Olympics programmes, participants have to have an intellectual/learning disability.

[3] These athletes benefit from taking regular sport training and competition programmes.