Irish Olympians to be welcomed home today after Paris success

Ireland’s Olympians are to be welcomed home today, following the nation’s most successful games since the state’s foundation.

The 133 athletes will take part in a homecoming celebration outside the GPO at 12.30pm, in an event organised by Dublin City Council.

Taoiseach Simon Harris will thank the athletes at the ceremony, who have brought home the highest ever number of medals for Team Ireland.

Team Ireland was comprised of 64 women and 69 men, who competed across a total of 14 sports. They brought home 7 medals in total, 4 of which were gold.

Swimmer Daniel Wiffen won two medals, coming first in the 800m final and then earning a bronze medal in the 1500m.

Bouncing back from disappointment at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, gymnast Rhys McClenaghan won gold in the men’s pommel horse finals.

He said in a post on social media that in 2021, he had “made a promise to come back better than ever”, one which he kept.

Throw back! I felt the disappointment and made a promise to come back better than ever. I kept that promise. https://t.co/pWiR9Yo01h

— Rhys Mcclenaghan (@McClenaghanRhys) August 7, 2024

Rowers Paul O'Donovan and Fintan McCarthy retained their Olympic medals, coming first in the men's lightweight double sculls.

Also defending her title was Dubliner Kellie Harrington, who has won her second consecutive gold in the women’s 60kg boxing final.

Phillip Doyle and Daire Lynch won bronze in the double sculls rowing, while Sligo’s Mona McSharry won a bronze medal in the 100m breaststroke.

The success has seen Ireland’s ranking rise to 19th in the world, and comes on the centenary of the nation’s first ever Olympic appearance.

Minister for sport Catherine Martin will be present at the ceremony, as well as Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education Thomas Byrne.