Dublin City Council organised the celebratory event outside the GPO on O’Connell Street for the 64 women and 69 men who competed for Team Ireland across 14 sports, winning seven medals in total.
Four gold medals were won across various events at the Paris games.
Daniel Wiffen, Rhys McClenaghan and Kellie Harrington won gold along with Skibbereen rowers Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy.
Irish Olympians were welcomed home by thousands of cheering fans in the nation’s capital, after Team Ireland’s most successful medal haul ever.
The majority of Ireland’s 133 athletes took part in a celebratory event in Dublin on Monday afternoon.
A total of 64 women and 69 men represented Team Ireland across 14 sports at the Paris games, winning four gold medals among the haul.
Daniel Wiffen, 23, won gold in the men’s 800m final and also took a bronze in the men’s 1500m final.
12 August 2024; Supporters welcome Team Ireland members on O’Connell Street in Dublin, celebrating their remarkable achievements at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Rhys McClenaghan, 25 and from Co Down, won gold in the pommel horse final, in what he described as his “redemption story”.
Speaking to thousands of supporters, Harrington described the support of her home country as “just fantastic”.
She said: “This is absolutely amazing for absolutely every one of the athletes here on Team Ireland who give their everything day in, day out. To have the support of this nation for all of us, from the bottom of every one of our hearts, it really does mean the world to us.
“That’s whether we win, we lose, we draw, to have you all there to pick us up, to dust us off and to help us go again. That’s what matters, so thank you.
“We’re a small nation but we’re a mighty nation, and we’ll fight and we’ll keep on fighting. That’s the way we are. That’s why we are who we are.”
Team Ireland member Daniel Wiffen is welcomed by supporters on O’Connell Street in Dublin, celebrating their remarkable achievements at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Photo by Piaras O Midheach/Sportsfile Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Harrington added: “It hasn’t actually sunk in yet, but it’s the stuff of dreams to be honest with you.”
Harrington’s parents were among the families who gathered outside the GPO on O’Connell Street draped in tricolour flags.
Children held signs celebrating Harrington’s second gold medal and one girl was seen holding a “I heart Mona” banner to celebrate swimmer McSharry’s bronze medal.
Others sat in windowsills and looked out from above rooftops to catch a glimpse at the celebration.
Ireland’s gold medal-winning rower Fintan McCarthy speaks at a homecoming event in Dublin
The Lord Mayor of Dublin James Geoghegan says that it was a very special celebration.
“It’s the first civil ceremony for a Team Ireland event, and it’s the first time it’s ever been done on O’Connell Street. Historically, we’ve actually had very few events here,” he said.
“A lot of us have these images of the Italian 90 team, we had women’s football last year and now we have this again.
“It showcases our capital city at its absolute best and to see so many people here today, I think just proves that once again that you know this is a place where we can showcase some of our best and most amazing moments.”
Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman also praised the sporting legends and even admitted to being starstruck.
“I’m a little bit starstruck. Just seeing the achievements, seeing how magnificent they participated in their races in their competitions and just being here standing with them right now, it’s really amazing.
“I think it’s a testament to the investments as a country we’ve put into supporting elite sport for all our sportsmen and women.
“It’s a huge opportunity for us just to say thank you to every single one of them medal winners, but all of them for giving us such an exciting two weeks.”