27-year-old native of Clontarf, Dublin is a four-time Paralympian. In 2021 she won Ireland’s first medal of the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, claiming gold in the SB8 100m breaststroke with the best performance of her life.
This improved on the bronze medal she won at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games. She became Ireland’s youngest Paralympic athlete at 13 when she competed in swimming in the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games.
She also secured a memorable win in the same event at the 2018 European Para-swimming Championships in Dublin. Ellen is also a four-time World Para Swimming medallist.
A strong voice in advocating for greater visibility and understanding of those with disabilities and is willing to call out ableism.
Ellen was a Lord Mayor Award recipient for contribution to Irish society and is named annually as one of the most influential women in Irish Sport.
Having struggled to accept her body as a teenager she now advocates for acceptance of our perfectly imperfect selves. She shared this story of self-acceptance in her TEDx talk My Luck Fin.
An excellent communicator she has an ability to connect and engage an audience and wants to continue to share her story through public speaking to make a positive difference to society by helping to normalise the stigma surrounding ‘disabilities’.
Ellen also has a keen interest in broadcasting and sharing the stories of others. Her recent project ‘The D-Word’, is a humorous, emotionally engaging and thought-provoking podcast series, exploring the world of disability through open and frank conversations with people with disability.
Her dogs Denny the dachshund and Rafa are big loves
Ellen also enjoys style & fashion and was previously nominated for VIP Style Awards Most Stylish Newcomer.
Fun fact she used to be a trophy-winning hip hop dancer and can still do the worm. She got to put those dancing skills to the test as a 2021 Dancing with the Stars contestant when she made the final.
Key Achievements
2022: Showed all of her experience to stage a dramatic comeback over the final 50 metres of her SB8 100m Breaststroke Final to clinch a silver medal at the World Para Swimming Championships final in Madei
2021: Wins the gold medal in SB8 100m breaststroke final at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo setting a personal best of 1:19.93.
2019 IPC World Championships Bronze medal in the 100m Breaststroke (SM9)
2018 European Champion 100m Breaststroke & Bronze in IM. RTÉ Sports Person of the Year nominee.
2017 Won numerous medals at the World Para Swimming Series
2016 Bronze at the Rio Paralympic Games, in the 100m breaststroke 2016 and made finals in both the Backstroke and Butterfly swimming personal bests in both.
2015 IPC World Championships Bronze medal in the 200m Individual Medley final (SM9)
2014: Three 4th place finishes at the IPC European Championships and swim two-lifetime bests at the European Championships in Eindhoven.
2013 IPC World Championships won two Bronze medals: Breaststroke & Butterfly.
2012: Paralympic Games in London made three finals.
2008: Became Ireland’s youngest Paralympian aged 13 year of age.
