Students from Scoil Mhuire inspired by Olympian swimmer

PUPILS from second class in Scoil Mhuire, Clondalkin were delighted to have a visit from Olympic swimmer Ellen Walshe, an Olympic ambassador, on Friday in the ‘Dare to Believe’ programme which is run and funded by the international Olympic Solidarity Fund, Permanent TSB, and the Olympic Federation of Ireland.

The schools programme is running since 2019 and it aims to inspire the youth of Ireland to believe in themselves.

The girls in second class in Scoil Mhuire, Clondalkin are very talented in many sports including swimming, gymnastics, running, football, martial arts and basketball, so they put together a proposal and were delighted to have been chosen for an Olympian visit.

By completing the Dare to Believe Programme they gained knowledge about the Olympics and the Paralympics.

They were thrilled to have Olympic swimmer Ellen Walshe as their Olympic ambassador, to inspire the boys and girls in Scoil Mhuire, but in particular to encourage the girls in second class to continue in sport as they become older.

Ellen Walshe is greeted by students from Scoil Mhuire

“Ellen came to visit the school and received a very warm welcome from all the students. She told them about her life and life as an Olympian and answered childrens’ questions about being a top sportsperson,” said second class teacher Sinead  Kelly.

“She then met with second class, played some games and showed them an insightful presentation all about herself.

“Ellen was truly inspiring and it was fantastic to have an insight into what it is like to be an elite athlete. Best of luck to Ellen in Paris this year,”.