Mona McSharry’s triumphant return to Ballyshannon’s Marlins SC this evening

A Hero’s Welcome awaits in Ballyshannon this evening for the Olympic Games bronze medallist Mona McSharry.

Ballyshannon Marlins Swimming Club will welcome the return of its long serving member and her Club coach Grace Meade to the town for what promises to be a historic evening.

Planning for Mona’s return to Ballyshannon has been in place for several weeks with this very special homecoming for the Olympic Games Bronze Medallist in the Women's 100m breaststroke. A host of special guests are set to attend with an event stage and large screen being put in place at the festival site at the Market Yard in Ballyshannon town centre that has been decked out in Olympic and Irish flags.

Master of ceremonies on the Main Stage for this evening's event will be Marty Morrissey from RTE Sport, having recently greeted the Irish Olympic Team on Dublin’s O’Connell Street with music from the CCE Phil Rooney Branch from 6pm. The victory parade will get underway from 6.45pm led by the St. Catherine’s Marching Band, Killybegs and will see Mona McSharry proudly display her Olympic medal and members of Ballyshannon’s Marlins Swimming Club.

The parade will commence along the Bundoran Road crossing Allingham Bridge onto Main Street through the Gables and back towards the Market Yard Festival site to the event stage. The Olympic Medallist will be met by Special guests including the Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr. Niamh Kennedy and representatives from Ulster Swimming and Swim Ireland. Guests, members of the McSharry Family and Mona will be interviewed and the “Great Paris Moments” will be relayed on the large screen as well as the special medal-winning swim and medal ceremony from the 2024 Olympic Games.