World Down Syndrome Day 2025 In The Headlines

World Down Syndrome Day took place on Friday March 21st (21/03). 

This year’s theme was Support Our Dreams. Everyone has the right to support and the right to dream big.

And Down Syndrome Ireland made the headlines by sharing this message!

TG4’s children’s news show Cula4 celebrated World Down Syndrome Day by meeting Rachel, the wonderful little girl behind our sock design. TG4 met Rachel, and her best friend Annie at their Co. Monaghan primary school to talk about the design, their friendship and the importance of supporting each others dreams.

Rachel Coen featured on the RTÉ news, showcasing her work in Lidl in Lucan. Rachel spoke about how she loves her job and Aoife Gaffney, Head of Employment at DSI, also spoke about the importance of employing people with Down syndrome.

Down Syndrome Ireland Board Member Fionn Crombie Angus spoke at the United Nations on World Down Syndrome Day. He was one of a small group of people with Down syndrome around the world invited to present, focusing on the topics of Improving Support Systems and Self-Directed Support. Fionn did us all very proud with his powerful speech!

Rebeka Cole took on a big job of co-presenting RTÉs News2Day with Florence on March 21st. She spoke about her older sister, her friends in school and her love of basketball. Rebeka did an incredible job, she is an absolute rising star! Watch the full video here.

Down Syndrome Ireland also had great support from followers, branches, media outlets and celebrities on World Down Syndrome Day.

This included The Electoral Commission, TG4, TradFest featuring their new ambassador Fionn Crombie-Angus, An Tanaiste Simon Harris and An Taoiseach Micheál Martin as well as actress Maria Doyle Kennedy, presenter Louise McSharry, Olympian and DWTS finalist Jack Wooley, DSI Ambassador and young Offenders actress Jennifer Barry and Matilda actress Alisha Weir.

With features in national and regional papers, awareness for Down syndrome was truly put on the map!