As we celebrate the 45th Anniversary of Vision Sports MayFest we look back on those magic moments, how it began.

We meet the five surviving blind and vision impaired people - Pat Kelly, Gerry Campbell, Martin Kelly, Tony Sweeney and Tony Scanlon - who participated in the 1978 UK National Athletics Championships in Scotland.

With little preparation they were frightened by the blast of the starter's gun and struggled out of starting blocks wearing rubber dolly slippers instead of racing spikes. Determined to succeed this group went on to form the nucleus of a team who became a world force in para-athletics within six years.

The seeds sown in Scotland grew to form our national sports governing bodies as well as 45 years of May Games/MayFest.

From the boat to Stranraer in '78 to the bus to Santry in '81 we journey with the legends who made it all happen.

• "Out of Sight! Stories of Ireland's Blind and Vision Impaired Sportspeople" book written by Joe Geraghty. Published by Martello Press it is available in all accessible formats www.outofsight.ie
• MayFest, Saturday 16 May, UCD and Old Wesley Rugby Club, Registration: Vision Sports Ireland https://visionsports.ie/mayfest/

• Host: Joe Geraghty.
• Guests: Gerry Campbell, Martin Kelly, Pat Kelly, Tony Scanlon and Tony Sweeney.
• Out of Sight! book insert voice over artist: Sarah Pyle.
• MayFest Heaven narrator: Dominic Coyle.
• Art: Katie Geraghty
• Music: Stuart Lawler and Jade McCormack
• Editor: Grainne Geraghty

Email: outofsightwithjoeg@outlook.ie

Blog: www.outofsight.ie/blog

Socials: Facebook and TikTok: Out of Sight with Joe G; LinkedIn and Instagram: Joe Geraghty

Hop, skip and jump into Vision Sports Ireland MayFest '26 – the legendary annual multi-activity leisure carnival - with Sara McFadden and Kristina Millar.

It's MayFest mayhem as event organiser Sara invites blind/vi people, family and friends to get lost in orienteering, rock climbing, tennis, weight lifting, golf, athletics, rugby and finishing with a BBQ.

It's fun, fun, fun as Kristina tells us her favourite part of MayFest is meeting and greeting. Off track she chats accessible language learning. Kristina also talks of her recovery from a ruptured ACL and torn meniscus to preparing for the Women's Mini Marathon.

• "Out of Sight! Stories of Ireland's Blind and Vision Impaired Sportspeople" book written by Joe Geraghty. Published by Martello Press it is available in all accessible formats www.outofsight.ie
• MayFest Registration: Vision Sports Ireland https://visionsports.ie/mayfest/

• Host: Joe Geraghty.
• Guests: Sara McFadden and Kristina Millar.
• Art: Katie Geraghty
• Music: Stuart Lawler and Jade McCormack
• Editor: Grainne Geraghty

Email: outofsightwithjoeg@outlook.ie

Blog: www.outofsight.ie/blog

Socials: Facebook and TikTok: Out of Sight with Joe G; LinkedIn and Instagram: Joe Geraghty

Blind-sided after losing the sight of his left eye Ian McKinley rucked on to become a rugby Six Nations international. His second sight came about through adaptations including pioneering sports goggles. Ian talks us through his game of two halves from the Leinster Rugby Academy to Virgin Media pundit.

It's love all as Stuart Haxell, an international blind/vi tennis player, goes to court on his favourite sport. He explains how the adaptive game is played and invites us along to the Irish National Blind/Vi Tennis Championships in Shankill on the May Bank Holiday weekend.

Is love all around as content creator Dave Redmond tackles blind dates? Dave, who is registered blind, explores various dating apps and then checks out speed dating. Love at first sight happens but what of love with no sight?

• "Out of Sight! Stories of Ireland's Blind and Vision Impaired Sportspeople" book written by Joe Geraghty. Published by Martello Press it is available in all accessible formats www.outofsight.ie
• MayFest Registration: Vision Sports Ireland https://visionsports.ie/mayfest/
• Audio Description Six Nations Rugby feedback: email Ian.mckinley@visionsports.ie
• Dundalk Walk: Call Pat Kelly 087 7708200 / Maureen Madden 085 2656972
• Trip to Tipp: Thurles Sarsfields GAA Club, Saturday, 27 June. Contact Vision Ireland email foundation@vi.ie phone 01 9133170
• Irish National Blind/VI Tennis Championships: 2-3 May, Shankill Tennis Club, Quinn's Road, Shankill, Co. Dublin. attendance FREE. Registration to play, conditions apply: https://ti.tournamentsoftware.com/find?StatusFilterID=2&DateFilterType=0&StartDate=2026-01-30&EndDate=2026-05-03&Distance=15&page=1
• Digi Coaching: to register email digicoach@fightingblindness.ie
• Podcast: Tech Docs, featuring Stuart Haxell and Jade McCormack
• Podcast: Talking Technology, featuring David Redmond,

• Host: Joe Geraghty.
• Guests: Ian McKinley, Stuart Haxell and Dave Redmond.
• Reporter: Jade McCormack,
• News and Wellness Tips: Grainne Geraghty
• Art: Katie Geraghty
• Music: Stuart Lawler and Jade McCormack
• Editor: Grainne Geraghty

Email: outofsightwithjoeg@outlook.ie

Blog: www.outofsight.ie/blog

Socials:Out of Sight with Joe G on Facebook and TikTok. Also, checkout Joe Geraghty on Linkedin and Instagram.