Traditional culture and fare helped the athletes feel right at home, writes Róisín Ingle.
Bengal Tigers are awesomely strong and lightning quick over short distances, qualities the Bangladesh Special Olympics team will be hoping to emulate over the next couple of weeks.
With this in mind the 32-strong delegation spent last night refuelling on traditional dishes from their home country at a restaurant owned by members of the Bangledeshi community in Ashbourne, Co Meath.
Around 150 guests attended the traditional evening for the athletes at Jamuna, an Indian restaurant part-owned by Shah Nawaz, or Tutul as he is known. He was thrilled, he said last night, when he learned that by happy coincidence Ashbourne had been selected as the host town for Bangladesh.
"I have been in Ireland for more than 10 years but I just opened the restaurant in Ashbourne nine months ago, and we were the first people from my country to arrive in the area. So it is amazing that the town was chosen. It was a wonderful surprise and is a great honour," he said. "There are a lot of good people here, and this has been a great opportunity to get to know more of them."
Since the delegation arrived on Saturday, Tutul and his business partners Mr Mohammed Mostafa and Mr Faruk Farwar have been helping to make the athletes feel welcome. The host families in Ashbourne were keen to discover more about Bangladesh culture and cuisine. This has involved offering guests "pani" (water) and "pat" (rice) and learning phrases such as "tumi kemon acho?" (how are you?).
"The athletes have been delighted with the sunshine, because it is very warm at home. Luckily they haven't seen much real Irish weather yet," said Tutul. He said some of them were finding the local Irish food too plain and were relived to hear about the Bangla banquet. The athletes, who train locally each morning, filled up on traditional Bengali dishes such as Kichuri made of rice lentils and vegetable, Haddi lamb curry served on the bone, prawn pakora and coriander chicken.
The delegation who spent yesterday at Dublin Zoo, laughed and clapped along last night to the traditional Bengali music and dancers dressed in saffron- coloured saris. Sisters Antoro (13) and Rakha (10) from Bangladesh, who have been living in Ashbourne for two years, were among the entertainers. "I think the athletes are happy to see lots of people dancing and having fun the way we would in Bangladesh," said Antoro, as waiters in traditional dress rushed past with steaming plates of food.
But some of the athletes were just as happy to sample the homegrown entertainment. "I danced in the rugby club to pop music," said Nipa Bose through an interpreter. The 14-year-old is competing in the running and long-jump events. "I like the people here, I like the sunshine. I hope to get a gold medal if God is willing." In their red, green and grey uniforms the competitors shook hands all around them and proudly displayed their name badges.
Meanwhile, local host Ms Gaye Riordan was showing off her hands which one of the delegation had decorated with a traditional henna tattoo. "It takes 12 days to come off apparently," she grinned. Her family are looking after three teenage boys who are competing in the running, walking and long-jump events. "They are three wonderful characters," she said. "We are having a fantastic time. It has been a humbling experience and we are going to miss them all when they go."
Among the guests who packed out the restaurant last night were snooker champion Ken Doherty, members of the Meath football team, jockey Ross Geraghty and former Ireland soccer team physio Mick Byrne. Byrne, who lives in Ashbourne, said having been to three soccer World Cups he knew how significant it was for the athletes. "But this is an extra special occasion, it's the ultimate achievement for these fantastic competitors."