PICS: Special Olympics Ireland make headlines in California

The city’s newspaper, the Downey Patriot, have tweeted a welcome to the Ireland group

Team Ireland are in California to take part in the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles - and judging by this picture they are going to be getting the celebrity treatment while they are there.

Each team is assigned to a host town and Ireland have been placed with the city of Downey in southeast Los Angeles County. It is described on the Special Olympics website as: “A diverse community with a small-town friendliness, home to more than 111,000 residents”.

The city’s newspaper, the Downey Patriot, tweeted a welcome to the Ireland group, saying: “Downey is ready for you, SOIreland”.

The accompanying picture showed the paper’s front page, filled with images of the Irish athletes - a lovely gesture from the hosts.

Downey is ready for you, @SOIreland pic.twitter.com/ovig5tPieJ

— The Downey Patriot (@DowneyPatriot) July 20, 2015

Special Olympics quickly answered, saying: “We’re on our way!”.

@DowneyPatriot We're on our way! #LA2015 #hosttown

— Special Olympics Ireland (@SOIreland) July 21, 2015

The Irish team left from

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Team Ireland’s Timothy Morahan, left, a member of South Dublin Special Olympics Sports Club, from Rathmines, Dublin, and one of an 88 strong team. Picture credit: Ray McManus/SPORTSFILE

If the Downey Patriot's front page is anything to go by, they are going to be well taken care of for the duration of the tournament.

The Games opening ceremony takes place on Saturday July 25 - with competitions taking place from then until August 2.

Breakingnews.ie/ will have daily updates and video from the Games.