Derry athlete features in new book showcasing Ireland's blind and visional impaired sportspeople

A Derry athlete features in a new sports book looking at the stories of Ireland’s blind and

vision impaired sportspeople. 

Author Joe Geraghty is a founding member of Vision Sports Ireland and has dedicated his life after his own sporting career to supporting his community, all culminating this piece of writing. 

Paralympian Jason Smyth is one of the athletes in the book ‘OUT OF SIGHT!’, others include Katie-George Dunlevy, and Róisín Ní Ríain.

The book explores, for the first time ever, the rich history of sport and leisure as experienced by Ireland’s blind and vision impaired athletes, their families, friends, and coaches, recounted in interviews with Geraghty.

Dance along with Paralympics gold star Jason Smyth; swim with teenage sensation Róisín Ní Ríain; spin in tandem with Katie-George Dunlevy, cycling’s most successful Paralympian ever; swing with ex-NYPD captain Paul McCormack who lost his sight after the 9/11 attacks before turning to blind golf; and jump into the world of multi-sport with seven-times Paralympian Catherine Walsh.

You’ll meet these sportspeople and many more who were struck down with sight loss but kicked on in sports including blind football, adapted rugby, tennis, or picked up the pieces with braille chess. In a “can’t see, can do” world, anything goes.

Jason Smyth said: ““Invites readers on a remarkable journey into the world of blind and vision impaired sportspeople in Ireland—a world too often overlooked. Through meticulous research and heartfelt interviews, Joe unveils hidden stories of dedication, resilience, and triumph that define this community.”

Eamonn Coghlan said: ““A fascinating read about the journey vision impaired sportspeople endure to succeed in sport, and in life in general. It’s a book not about disability, but more importantly, the ability of visually impaired individuals who journey on with vigour, determination and the will to succeed in their pursuit of excellence.”

Geraghty is a founding member of Vision Sports Ireland. As an athlete he won his first race at the inaugural May Games, now known as MayFest, in 1981. Two years later he took silver at 5000m at the IBSA European Games in Bulgaria and represented Ireland at the 1984 Paralympic Games in the USA. Off track Joe has dedicated his life to supporting the work of Vision Sports Ireland serving in numerous roles over five decades, becoming President in 2024.