Inspirational Louth athletes Kate O'Connor and Eve McCrystal honoured at civic ceremony

Inspirational Louth sports stars Kate O'Connor and Eve McCrystal were honoured at a civic reception in recognition of their extraordinary achievements.

Louth County Council hosted the event to recognise the amazing accomplishments of two of the county’s most celebrated athletes who have proudly represented Louth and Ireland on the global stage, inspiring countless others with their dedication, talent, and resilience.

The two athletes' family and friends; along with sporting representatives, local councillors, TDs and senators gathered in the County Hall last Thursday evening as Kate O'Connor and Eve McCrystal were presented with their civic honour scrolls by Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Cllr Kevin Callan and Cathaoirleach of Dundalk Municipal District, Cllr Seán Kelly, and signed the roll of honour.

A trailblazer in Irish athletics, Kate O’Connor made history in 2024 when she became Ireland’s first Olympic heptathlete and Louth’s first female Track and Field Olympian at the Paris Games.

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Having developed her talent at Dundalk St Gerard’s AC, Kate continued her remarkable rise with a bronze medal at the 2025 European Indoor Championships, followed just 12 days later by a silver at the World Indoor Championships in China.

Eve McCrystal’s achievements in para-cycling are equally exceptional.

The community Garda enjoyed over a decade of success alongside her tandem partner Katie-George Dunlevy, winning five Paralympic medals across Rio, Tokyo, and Paris, in addition to multiple World Championship titles. In September 2024, Eve was inducted into the Cycling Ireland Hall of Fame.

Both Kate O' Connor and Eve McCrystal said they were deeply honoured by the council’s decision to honour them with a civic reception and overwhelmed by the support they have received from the local community.

Kate, speaking to the Dundalk Democrat after the ceremony, said: “It is so special, and it makes it even more special that our friends and families are with us here this evening.

“It is so nice to come home and actually fully see how much it is appreciated what we have done.

“When you are training and away competing you really are just in your own bubble so when you come back home and see how much everyone appreciates what you are doing, it is so lovely.

“It is fantastic to be celebrating this achievement alongside such a great sportswoman.

“Eve has been someone I have looked up to for a long time, so for both of us to be given this honour together is very special. It is lovely to celebrate this with her.”

Eve, speaking about the civic honour, said: “It is a huge honour. I don't know what I expected but I didn't expect this. I am overwhelmed and completely honoured that this has been done for myself and Kate.

“And to have my family here to witness it is just amazing.

“This is going to take a while to sink in.”

Eve said it was amazing that two female athletes were getting the honour, especially as they are so different as “I am at the end of my career and Kate is only beginning. I think it is a lovely story.”

Eve, who is also a local Community Garda, officially confirmed her retirement from international cycling at the reception last Thursday.

But said she is going to be still very busy as she is getting married next month, is still enjoying sports and is doing a bit of running and is loving being back at work.

Eve continued saying it was great to be in a position to inspire young people.

“Hopefully kids and young people will be able to see what we have done and think 'oh I can do that'. Even if it just touches one child out of a class of 24 I think that is fantastic.”

The ceremony began with a welcome from Louth County Council Director of Services, Joe McGuinness, who invited Niall Clarke, Bernard Maguire and Dita Durse from Louth County Council Fire & Rescue Service to display the National Flag and the flags of County Louth and Dundalk Municipal District.

Kate and Eve were then presented with a Civic Honour Scroll and also received specially commissioned pieces of jewellery, designed by Garrett Mallon Design House, Carlingford, before signing the County Roll of Honour.

The event also featured a live Q & A session with Louth County Council Communications Officer, Gavin McLaughlin, and concluded with a performance of the national anthem by local tenor David Martin, accompanied by Simply Strings.

Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Cllr Kevin Callan, speaking during the reception which had nearly 150 guest in attendance, said: “We are not just here to recognise your success but also the journey to that success.

“I think that is a vital part of what you have shown yourselves to be – and that is determined individuals.

“There can be no doubt that along the way you had your inner struggles, challenges, blocks, setbacks; but for some reason, known only to yourselves and probably your closest family and friends you kept going, and that is what has led to your success.”

He continued: “I think both of you have done a service for the young people of county Louth; to show them that it is not just about success.”

Cathaoirleach of Dundalk Municipal District, Cllr Sean Kelly, said that Kate and Eve's achievements were “nothing short of inspirational”.

“It is not often that you can say you are in the presence of greatness but that is certainly the case this evening” Cllr Kelly said.

“Kate and Eve, both of your achievements have been nothing short of inspirational.

“What you have done to promote your sport, not only within Louth but nationally, means that tonight in homes all across Ireland little girls and boys can dream a little bigger – you have made the impossible possible and showed the children of Louth and our future generations there is nothing they can’t do.

“If that isn’t a legacy worth celebrating, I don’t know what is. And it's for that reason we rightly gather here in County Hall tonight, to tell you both we appreciate all you have done.”

Cllr Kelly, speaking about Eve, said: “Eve, your achievements in both the World Championship and Paralympic stage as a paracyclist across several games is a testament to your resilience, work ethic and sheer determination.”

He continued: “While doing all of this, you were an essential member of An Garda Siochana serving locally as a Community Garda as well as the communities of Castleblayney and Ballybay in Monaghan - keeping us all safe while pursuing your sporting dreams.”

And speaking about Kate he said: “The future is bright and there is very much a sense of excitement that you are only getting started.

“I know there is a big crowd here tonight representing St Gerard's Athletic and Louth Athletics - you honestly have lifted our spirits and given us even more reason to be proud of you.”

Cllr Kelly also told the gathered crowd at County Hall that the long-awaited new athletics track in Dundalk will be open before the end of the year.

“The good news about the track is that the letter of intent has been issued to the preferred tender, the contractors will be on site by the end of this month and the 400 metre eight lane track with shot putt, long jump and javelin areas will open in Quarter 3 of this year.

“It is no exaggeration to say that we are entering the golden era of athletics in our county and the message from our athletes is loud and clear – the sky is the limit. It’s hard not to get caught up in the excitement and enthusiasm that results from it.”

Cllr Kelly concluded: “I just want to extend a heartfelt thanks to you both Eve and Kate.

“Thank you from the people of Louth for giving us so many incredible memories, thank you for putting Louth on the map and being such fantastic ambassadors for our Wee County.

“I will finish on this – as a Dundalkian celebrating two true Dundalkians – Mon the Town!”.

Kate and Eve joined previous people who have received the civic honour, including President Michael D Higgins, Irish Ambassador to the United States Geraldine Byrne Nason, and the former Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, the late Seamus Mallon.

Chief Executive of Louth County Council, David Conway, said afterwards: “Kate and Eve have brought immense pride to Louth. Their journeys speak to resilience, perseverance, and excellence.

“This civic reception is our way of saying thank you for everything they’ve achieved, and for the inspiration they continue to provide.”