Irish rugby international Malcolm O'Kelly presented a jersey signed by Irish squad members to seven-year-old twins Molly and Tara Grant, from Skerries, Co Dublin, who attend St Michael's House Special School in Skerries.
As part of St Michael's House 50th anniversary celebrations, a black-tie ball will take place on October 7th at the O'Reilly Hall, University College Dublin, when the jersey is due to be auctioned.
A small classified ad placed in The Irish Times in June 1955 led to the establishment of the school. It was placed by Patricia Farrell from Gigginstown, Co Westmeath, whose son Brian had Down syndrome.
It started out as a small day school for pupils with a learning disability, the first of its kind in Ireland. Initially the school received no funding and was supported by fundraising.
With sustained lobbying the school became the first formally recognised and funded special national school in Ireland.