They are joined by two para swimmers; five-time Paralympic champion Bethany Firth and Barry McClements, who became Northern Ireland’s first-ever Commonwealth medallist in a swimming discipline when he claimed bronze at Birmingham 2022.

Wiffen won silver at the last edition of the multi-sport Games, which kick-started a stunning run of success over the following two-years, with the swimmer going on to secure multiple Olympic, World and European podium finishes.

“It means a lot to me, we only get to represent Northern Ireland every four years so it’s something special and it means a lot to represent the place where I grew up and learned to swim,” said Wiffen, who represented Ireland at Paris 2024.

“My goal for 2026 is to win the Commonwealths, win the European Long Course and the World Short Course and the Commonwealths is the kick-starter for these last three competitions to kind of complete every competition that I can win.”

The swimmer adds that he is “looking forward” to Glasgow 2026, where he plans to contest the Men’s 400m, 800m and 1500m Freestyle events.

McMillan won Commonwealth Youth bronze in 2017, before making his senior Commonwealth Games bow at Birmingham 2022, where he recorded a best-placed finish of 11th in the Men’s 100m Freestyle.

Since then, he has become one of Great Britain’s most accomplished 200m Freestyle swimmers. McMillan claimed gold at Paris 2024 after racing as part of the Team GB Men’s 4x200m Freestyle Relay heats line-up, but he has subsequently become one of the ‘main four’ and helped Britain secure World Championships gold last summer.

Wiffen and McMillan won medals for Ireland and Great Britain respectively at the 2025 European Aquatics Short Course Swimming Championships.

Photography European Aquatics

One of the major highlights of the Glasgow 2026 pool programme is likely to be the Men’s 200m Freestyle final (29 July), which is expected to feature the foursome.

To add an extra level of intrigue, each will represent a different home nation; McMillan (Northern Ireland), Duncan Scott (Scotland), Matt Richards (Wales) and James Guy (England).

“The Commonwealth Games mean a big deal because I get to represent Northern Ireland and I don’t get to do that too often,” said McMillan, who will race the 100m, 200m and 400m Freestyle events in Scotland this summer.

“I’ve done the Youth Games and then Birmingham 2022, so it’s great that it’s coming around again and I’m looking forward to representing my country again.”

Before Birmingham 2022 no Northern Irish swimmer had ever claimed a Commonwealth Games medal in a swimming discipline, but Firth (gold), Wiffen (silver) and McClements (bronze) helped the nation to landmark podium treble.

Firth, who won gold for Ireland at London 2012 before switching to represent Great Britain at subsequent Games, became a mother for the first time last year and recently recorded the second quickest time in history in the Women’s S14 100m Backstroke.

The 30-year-old will contest the Women’s S14 200m Freestyle, which she won at Birmingham 2022.

“I’m a lot older now and I’ve had a baby, but I’m proving that you can come back and still compete at the top,” Firth stated. “I'm really excited for the Commonwealth Games. Just to go there and be there for Northern Ireland will make me so proud.”

Rising talents Ellie McCartney (2025 European U23 champion) and Grace Davison, who was just 14-years-old when she raced at the last edition of the Commonwealth Games, will have a further opportunity to race at a major event.

At the other end of the experience-scale, Danielle Hill will return to Glasgow for her fourth Commonwealth Games, having first competed there in 2014 as a 14-year-old.

“We’re delighted to welcome such a strong group of athletes to the team,” said Conal Heatley, Team NI Chef de Mission.

“Having won our first ever swimming medals at Birmingham 2022, we’re looking to build upon those successes at Glasgow 2026 during July.

“Credit must go to all the athletes and coaches within the Swim Ireland / Swim Ulster system who have worked tirelessly over recent years, driving standards and competing consistently on the international stage.”

The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will run from 23 July until 2 August, with the Swimming and Para Swimming programme taking place between 24-29 July. To find out how you can attain tickets to watch some of the best athletes on the planet, CLICK HERE.

Team NI Swimming Squad

Daniel Wiffen (400/800/1500m Freestyle), Jack Mc Millan (100/200/400m Freestyle), Danielle Hill (50/100m Backstroke, 50m Freestyle), Ellie Mc Cartney (100/200m Breaststroke, 200m IM), Conor Ferguson (50m Backstroke), Charlotte Cullen (100/200m Backstroke), Grace Davison (100/200m Freestyle, 100/200m Backstroke), Adam Bradley (Men’s 4 x 100m Medley Relay), Matthew Hamilton (Men’s 4 x 100m Medley Relay), Paddy Johnston (Men’s 4 x 100m Medley Relay), Alana Burns Atkin (Women’s 4 x 100m Medley Relay), Victoria Catterson (Women’s 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay), Emily Hughes (Women’s 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay), Bethany Firth (S14 200m Freestyle), Barry McClements (S9 100m Backstroke, S10 100m Fly).