Ireland had another successful night at the 2026 World Para Swimming European Championships as Róisín Ní Riain successfully defended her European 100m backstroke (S13) title, while Dearbhaile Brady claimed a second silver medal of the week.

Ní Riain retained her European title with a dominant performance in the final. The National Centre Limerick swimmer entered the race in pole position, having advanced from the morning’s heats as the fastest qualifier.

From the start, Ní Riain took control and led throughout, storming to European gold in a time of 1:06.21, finishing 2.80 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor, Italy’s Carlotta Gilli.

Ní Riain said: “It feels pretty good. I’ve been looking forward to this swim all week. It’s my main event and my best shot. To be able to come out and do that, I’m not going to lie, I didn’t think I’d go that fast. I did a solid heat swim this morning, but I wasn’t sure how much I was going to drop from that.

“To be able to improve on it and actually get a tiny personal best along with it, I’m so, so happy. I’ve said it already, but I just wanted to come here, have a good time and swim well, so to be able to win tonight and also put down a time that’s really good for me is fantastic.”

The Limerick native, who will compete in the 200m IM and 50m freestyle on Friday, added: “The aim tomorrow is to put down a good 200m IM swim and then give it everything I have for the 50 free. I’m definitely not a 50m freestyler, so we’ll have to go for that one and see how it goes. Hopefully I can get back in there as well.

“It’s a great feeling to hear Amhrán na bhFiann and to be able to stand on top of the podium. To hear the Irish team cheer was really nice. It means so much. This year more than most, I have to give every bit of thanks to my coaches and my physio back home.

“If it wasn’t for them, I genuinely wouldn’t be standing here. There was a lot of work put in this year to make it here and to get to the top of the podium. This one goes to them.”

Following Wednesday night’s European silver medal in the 200m individual medley (SM6), Dearbhaile Brady returned to the pool to contest the 50m butterfly (S6) final. The Irish swimmer led from the start and remained in front at the halfway mark before Italy’s Giulia Terzi mounted a late challenge.

The pair went stroke for stroke down the closing metres, with Brady stopping the clock at 35.87 to claim silver and Ireland’s fourth medal of the championships, just 0.33 seconds shy of gold.

The National Centre Dublin swimmer said: “I think I had a little bit more in me. I think the second half of the race could have gone a bit better. Róisín and I were chatting earlier today and both wondered if we could do it again, if we could both make the podium again, and we did. Róisín and I get along quite well and motivate each other.”

Lisburn swimmer Síomha Nic Brádaigh returned to the finals stage for the second time this week, this time to compete in the 100m backstroke (S7) final. Nic Brádaigh stopped the clock in 1:34.00 to finish sixth.

Speaking in the mixed zone, she said: “I’m slightly gutted with that result. This morning was a great swim and I set myself up well, but I didn’t really get the result I wanted.

“My whole family is here. In Singapore, we had a lot going on, so they couldn’t come, so it means a lot for them to be here now. Coming in here, I set myself small goals, so even being here, maybe six months ago, I didn’t think I would be.”

Making his debut appearance for Ireland, Dylan Prenderville returned to the blocks to race in the 50m butterfly (S6) final. Following a strong morning swim, where he set a new lifetime best, the Clare man clocked 41.49 to finish eighth.

Prenderville said: “I’m tired, but I’m happy with that. First European final and only upwards from here. It feels pretty good to be eighth in Europe and put a title on it after all these years of hard work. It’s been a long week but, overall, it’s been very enjoyable, great laughs and everyone has been so welcoming. I’ve a few more days to support the others and take more photography.”

A total of six Irish Para swimmers will take to the water for the penultimate day of the 2026 World Para Swimming European Championships.