Paralympic champion Jason Smyth made history by winning Dancing with the Stars Ireland 2024, taking home the Glitterball Trophy with partner Karen Byrne on March 17, 2024. This article walks through the full results, the runner-up, and what makes this win so remarkable.
Winner: Jason Smyth ·
Professional partner: Karen Byrne ·
Show: Dancing with the Stars Ireland ·
Season: 2024 ·
Finale date: March 17, 2024 ·
Prize: Glitterball Trophy
Quick snapshot
- Jason Smyth and Karen Byrne won the 2024 season (Extra.ie – winner reveal)
- Finale aired on March 17, 2024 (RTÉ – broadcast moment)
- Prize: Glitterball Trophy (Wikipedia – series 7 page)
- Exact prize money for the Irish version (not publicly confirmed)
- Full breakdown of judges’ scores and public vote percentages
- March 2024 – Finale of Dancing with the Stars Ireland series 7 aired
- March 17, 2024 – Winner crowned
- Future of Dancing with the Stars Ireland – eighth season not yet confirmed
- Jason Smyth returns to Paralympic training
Here is a quick overview of the key details of the 2024 win.
| Winner | Jason Smyth |
| Professional partner | Karen Byrne |
| Show | Dancing with the Stars Ireland |
| Season | 2024 (Series 7) |
| Finale date | March 17, 2024 |
| Prize | Glitterball Trophy |
Who won Dancing with the Stars in 2024?
Paralympic sprinter Jason Smyth and professional dancer Karen Byrne won the 2024 season of Dancing with the Stars Ireland (Series 7). The grand finale aired on March 17, 2024 on RTÉ, where the pair lifted the Glitterball Trophy after weeks of competition.
The winner announcement
- RTÉ broadcast the moment live: “Jason Smyth and Karen Byrne were crowned champions and lifted the Glitterball trophy”.
- Viewers reacted with surprise and celebration (Extra.ie – winner reveal).
Jason Smyth and Karen Byrne’s journey
Jason Smyth, a visually impaired Paralympic runner (he holds multiple gold medals), partnered with Karen Byrne for the series. Byrne had to miss Week 2, replaced by Juliia Vasylenko, but returned to finish the competition (Wikipedia – partner change). Their showdance in the final earned high praise (YouTube – DWTS official showdance).
Jason Smyth’s win is historic: he is the first Paralympic athlete to win the Irish series, proving that disability is no barrier to ballroom excellence. For the show, it signals a continued embrace of diverse celebrity backgrounds.
The implication: Smyth’s victory expands what a Dancing with the Stars champion looks like — not just a TV star or athlete, but a world-class Paralympian whose visual impairment became part of his narrative, not a limitation.
Who came in second place on Dancing with the Stars 2024?
The runner-up
During the finale, the runner-up position was announced after the final votes were tallied. According to Irish media reports, the second-place finisher was Davy Russell, the former National Hunt jockey, who danced with professional partner Kylee Vincent (Wikipedia – runner-up).
- Davy Russell participated in the show alongside other celebrities such as actress Leah O’Rourke and TV presenter Aidan Power.
- Russell aimed to follow in the footsteps of fellow equestrian Nina Carberry, who competed in a previous season.
The takeaway: Davy Russell’s strong performance shows that jockeys, like Carberry, can hold their own on the dance floor, but Smyth’s emotional narrative ultimately won over the judges and public.
What did Karen Byrne do for a living?
Karen Byrne’s career
Karen Byrne is a professional dancer and choreographer who regularly appears on Dancing with the Stars Ireland as a pro. Her credits include training with Latin and Ballroom champions and previous appearances in the series.
- She previously competed on the show as a professional dancer in earlier seasons.
- Byrne also works as a choreographer for stage shows and commercial events.
What this means: Byrne’s expertise in ballroom and her ability to adapt to a partner with visual impairment were central to Smyth’s success — a partnership that required extra trust and communication.
Where do Karen Byrne and Jake Carter live?
Their relationship and residence
Karen Byrne is in a relationship with singer Jake Carter, who appeared on Dancing with the Stars Ireland in 2022 as a contestant. The couple reportedly live together in Ireland, although they keep details of their private life relatively quiet.
Their relationship has been a topic of interest for fans, but neither has publicly confirmed an exact address or city.
The pattern: Byrne’s romantic link with a former contestant adds a layer of celebrity connection — but the focus remains on her professional partnership with Smyth, which delivered the win.
Who won Dancing with the Stars Ireland in 2023?
Previous season winner
The 2023 winner of Dancing with the Stars Ireland (Series 6) was announced in March 2023. The Glitterball Trophy went to Carl Mullan, a radio presenter and comedian, who danced with professional partner Emily Barker (Wikipedia – 2023 winner).
- Mullan’s win came after a season that featured jockey Nina Carberry as a contestant.
- The 2023 finale also aired live on RTÉ, following the same format as 2024.
The contrast: While Carl Mullan was a comedy presenter, Jason Smyth represents a more inspirational, athletic archetype — showing the show’s range in casting.
Timeline: Dancing with the Stars Ireland 2024
- January 2024 – Series 7 premiered on RTÉ with a new line-up of celebrities.
- Weeks 1–10 – Weekly eliminations narrowed the field.
- March 17, 2024 – Grand finale; Jason Smyth and Karen Byrne crowned winners.
- 2023 (previous) – Carl Mullan won Series 6.
Bottom line: Jason Smyth is the 2024 winner, but the timeline shows how each series builds on the previous one — and how the show continues to evolve its casting.
Confirmed Facts and What’s Uncertain
Confirmed facts
- Jason Smyth and Karen Byrne won the 2024 season of Dancing with the Stars Ireland.
- The finale aired on March 17, 2024.
- The prize was the Glitterball Trophy.
What’s unclear
- Exact prize money for the Irish version (not publicly confirmed).
- The full breakdown of judges’ scores and public vote percentages for the finale.
The confirmed facts reinforce the historical nature of Smyth’s win, while the uncertainties show the limits of public information.
Reactions and Statements
“RTÉ broadcast the moment Jason Smyth and Karen Byrne were crowned champions and lifted the Glitterball trophy.”
RTÉ – live broadcast coverage
“Viewers were stunned after Jason Smyth won the 2024 Glitterball trophy.”
Extra.ie – viewer reactions
These reactions highlight the emotional impact of the win — surprising some viewers who expected a different outcome, but also celebrating a genuinely inspiring story.
The range of responses underscores how Smyth’s victory resonated beyond the dance floor.
Summary: The Final Verdict
Jason Smyth’s victory on Dancing with the Stars Ireland 2024 cements his status as one of Ireland’s most versatile athletes. For the show, it proved that the audience embraces contestants with unique backgrounds and challenges. For Smyth, the Glitterball Trophy is another achievement on top of his Paralympic golds. The choice for viewers and future contestants is clear: if you bring authenticity and dedication, you can win — regardless of the odds.
While Jason Smyth took the Glitterball Trophy in Ireland, the US Season 33 winner was crowned on the American version later that same year.
Frequently asked questions
How are the winners determined on Dancing with the Stars Ireland?
Winners are decided by a combination of judges’ scores (50%) and public vote (50%). The exact split is not officially published for each week.
Who are the judges on Dancing with the Stars Ireland?
The judges for Series 7 were Loraine Barry, Brian Redmond, and Arthur Gourounlian.
What is the Glitterball Trophy?
The Glitterball Trophy is the main prize awarded to the winning couple at the end of each season.
How many seasons has Dancing with the Stars Ireland had?
As of 2024, the show has completed seven seasons on RTÉ.
When did Dancing with the Stars Ireland first air?
The first season premiered in January 2017.
Who was the professional dancer paired with Jason Smyth?
His primary partner was Karen Byrne, with Juliia Vasylenko substituting in Week 2.
What is Jason Smyth best known for outside of Dancing with the Stars?
He is a visually impaired Paralympic sprinter with multiple gold medals and world records.
These answers address the most common questions about the 2024 winner and the show’s format.
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