Competitors from Ireland and around the world have travelled to Los Angeles to take part in the 2015 Special Olympics World Games.

Team Ireland's 128 members - made up of 88 athletes and 40 coaches and managers - departed for LA on a dedicated Aer Lingus flight from Dublin Airport this morning.

The Special Olympics World Summer Games begin with an opening ceremony on Saturday.

Organisers say it promises to be an exceptional occasion, with the Irish team being led in to the LA Coliseum by Colin Farrell, Claudine Keane and Irish Olympian John Treacy - who won his Olympic Silver marathon medal there in 1984.

Irish athletes will compete in 12 different events at the games, which are on for nine days.