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A CROWD OF over 20,000 people gathered in Dublin city centre to welcome Ireland’s Olympians home from Paris.
Team Ireland were greeted by cheers from thousands of people as they disembarked at the airport before getting on board buses headed for O’Connell Street.
The 133 athletes took to the stage outside the GPO after Ireland had the most successful Olympic Games in the state’s history.
The athletics team were first to make an appearance and express their thanks to the crowd for turning up to welcome them home.
Hurdler Sarah Lavin held back tears as she said: “It’s totally surreal. Irish people are the best supporters in the world and we felt it on the track.”
Sophie Becker said: “When I heard there was a homecoming I thought it would be a bit like a party when you’re afraid no one is going to show up.”
“It’s absolutely amazing, it’s amazing to see this turnout,” said Thomas Barr.
Home sweet home 💚✨#TeamIreland | #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/68YYeSTtth
— Team Ireland (@TeamIreland) August 12, 2024
After the athletics team came the boxers led out by gold medallist Kellie Harrington with the crowd cheering “Kellie, Kellie”.
She immediately asked for the boxing coaches to join them on the stage.
Beaming, Harrington said: “It hasn’t actually sunk in yet but it’s the stuff of dreams, to be honest with you.”
“To have the support of this great nation, it’s just fantastic,” she said.
“It really does mean the world to us,” she said on behalf of Team Ireland as a whole. “We’re a small nation but we’re a mighty nation.”
Harrington said that the Olympics in Paris was “the last leg of the journey” but her coach Zaur Antia said she could do the business a third time after winning gold in the last two Games.
Harrington replied: “I’m done.”
A second event will be held in Dublin’s north inner city for local hero Harrington at 7pm.
After that came the rowers, cyclists and horse riders, followed by the men’s rugby sevens team, the sailing team, the swimmers and Ireland’s Taekwondo fighter Jack Woolley.
The ceremony was briefly paused, however, as someone in the crowd needed medical attention.
RTÉ’s hosts called for a doctor or medic to come to their aid as silence descended on what had been a raucous crowd. Medics quickly gave a thumbs up and the proceedings resumed.
After a disappointing finish for the sevens team in Paris, the members on stage said that the team still has the ability to go far in the future and to keep growing the relatively new sport in Ireland.
Gold medal winning rower Fintan McCarthy, gold and bronze medallist swimmer Daniel Wiffen, bronze medallist swimmer Mona McSharry and gold medal winning gymnast Rhys McCleneghan then took the stage alongside rowing pair Daire Lynch and Phillip Doyle who won bronze in Paris.
McCarthy said his rowing partner Paul O’Donovan had already gone “back to work, back to training” and hinted at the pair’s involvement in the LA Games in four years’ time.
Mona McSharry said it was a “dream come true” to be a medal winning Olympian.
“I don’t think I’ve ever cried that much,” she said, describing the moment on the podium as “so magical”.
Asked about her possible retirement, McSharry said she would take four months off and then assess her options.
Daniel Wiffen, who was taken to hospital yesterday due to illness, said he is feeling ok now.
“I definitely knew I was going to win,” he said of his 800m victory.
“Walking out into the stadium was crazy,” he said, adding that he could feel the whole country was behind him while competing.
“I’m sure in LA we’ll be both on the podium,” he said about his brother who was supporting him throughout the Games in Paris.
Daire Lynch said it was great to be home and that he hoped the sport of rowing would continue to grow in his native Clonmel after winning the bronze medal.
“It makes a big difference between third and fourth,” said his partner Phillip Doyle.
Rhys McCleneghan thanked the crowd for coming out to support Team Ireland.
He said he treated his Olympic final routine as “just another training session”.
He also said it was the best pommel horse final he’s ever seen, “and I’ve seen them all”.
McCleneghan joked that he might give boxing a go but said he’d be “humbled” if he fought Kellie Harrington.
Speaking ahead of the homecoming, Lord Mayor of Dublin James Geoghegan said: “We’ve all enjoyed watching the Irish Athletes do us proud in Paris.
“Now is our chance to tell them in person just how proud we are of them. I have no doubt their efforts will have inspired lots of girls and boys all over the city and country to try and be like them some day,” he said in a statement.
Speaking to Morning Ireland earlier, Geoghegan said of the ceremony: “We may not have Tom Cruise and Snoop Dogg, but we do have Marty Morrissey and Sinéad Kissane.”
Cruise and Snoop Dogg were among those who took part in the closing ceremony last night, as the Olympics torch was handed from Paris to Los Angeles.
Taoiseach Simon Harris and Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman are also in attendance this afternoon.
“We’ve had very little work done in this country over the last fortnight,” Harris said on stage.
The Taoiseach said the Paris Games has left a legacy for young boys and girls to follow.
“Its lifted our spirits,” Harris said. “Thank you, thank you, thank you,”
President Michael D Higgins congratulated the Irish athletes in a statement last night.
“As President of Ireland, may I extend my congratulations and appreciation to all those Olympians who have represented our country with such distinction over the last two and a half weeks,” he said.
“Each of our record-setting medallists has brought enormous joy to all those watching across our island and beyond and has been a source of encouragement.
“All those who achieved so much by qualifying and competing to such a high standard have made Irish people everywhere so immensely proud.”
We’re more used to seeing Daniel Wiffen’s head popping out the swimming pool. Not today… (and he’s got a little company🥇🥉) pic.twitter.com/jAPhfiwggv
— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) August 12, 2024
Cork rower Fintan McCarthy and Sligo swimmer Mona McSharry, two of our medal-winners, carried the Irish flag during the closing ceremony. McCarthy replaced Daniel Wiffen as flag bearer after the swimmer was forced to withdraw due to illness.
Wiffen had to be rushed to hospital yesterday.
In a post on social media late last night, Wiffen thanked those who had expressed support and said he hoped to make an appearance in Ireland today, which he has.
Wiffen was pictured leaning out of the cockpit window on the plane that brought the Irish team home this afternoon.
“I’m incredibly disappointed to miss out on the opportunity to be flag bearer last night,” he said on X last night.
“Yesterday I rushed to hospital as I was very unwell with a bug that I am being treated for, and am feeling better now. I hope everyone enjoys the evening and I hope to be well enough to seeing everyone when we get home.”
Nicky from Dublin came to the event with her daughters Alex and Grace.
“I just felt it was important to come out and support them, they’ve done amazingly well, in all the sports. They were unbelievable,” she said.
Kevin Dwane travelled from Offaly to attend the event. “It’s a bit of history, and it’s great to see the young people achieving what they did,” he said.
“They’re absolutely marvellous and they deserve all the credit for what they’ve done. I’m so proud of them and I’m proud to be Irish.”
The homecoming is about to kick off, more @rtenews @RTEsport pic.twitter.com/3o6bT9h1Q4
— Paul Deighan (@PaulDeighano) August 12, 2024
Minister for Sport Catherine Martin and Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education Thomas Byrne welcomed the athletes home.
Martin said: “Team Ireland has made the nation so proud, our most successful team ever at an Olympic Games.
“Over these past few weeks, thousands of Irish supporters travelled to France to loudly cheer on the team and it was clear that our athletes greatly appreciated this support.
“Back home in Ireland, there has also been great support for our athletes every step of the way.
“I want to congratulate everyone who has been involved in this endeavour from the athletes to the coaches, the sporting bodies, the Olympic Federation through to the Sport Ireland Institute and beyond.
Byrne added: “We sent our biggest ever team to the Paris Games, and they have returned with our greatest ever medal haul.
“That is an outstanding achievement and I want to congratulate each member of Team Ireland on their performance.”
Luas Green Line services will be suspended between Dominic and St Stephen’s Green Luas Stops from 9.30am until 10pm today to facilitate the homecoming event.
Luas Green Line services will run between Broombridge and Dominic Luas Stops, and from St Stephen’s Green to Brides Glen Luas Stops only during this time.
The Luas Red Line services will be suspended between Smithfield and The Point stops from 9.30am until 10pm.
Valid Luas tickets will be accepted on Dublin Bus.
Buses will be diverted from O’Connell Street from 10am and will re-commence on the north side of the street at 5pm and on the south side of the street at 10pm.
Members of the public are asked to enter O’Connell Street from the O’Connell Bridge end.
With reporting from Órla Ryan, Jane Moore and Press Association
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Yes my tutors insisted
Nice grounds to walk around on a good day. However, the Book of Kells, as important as it is, is a huge anticlimax for visitors who pay about 14 euro for a very limited view of it. I doubt it gets much repeat business.
@Kárl: lots of museums and tourists attractions have that problem, the Mona Lisa was disappointing AF but even if it was mind blowing I still wouldn’t have been bothered going back
@Kárl: I think the old library itself is actually much more impressive (though not worth €14)
@Karen Wellington: Got to see the Lady with an Ermine in Krakow a few years ago. It was in the Czartoryski museum, admission was for free or a just a few euros and the collection included the amazing Ottoman Turkish tents captured after the 1683 Battle of Vienna, everything looking like it was left behind by an army that retreated yesterday. None of this was behind glass, only a little rope barrier, an usher followed us around to make sure we didn’t don any of the Turkish armour.
We then went into the early renaissance paintings section, it all looked 2D and painted like an amateur, with weird fat baby Jesus. Then we turned a corner and there was the Lady with an Ermine. Looking real, 3D, glowing. It was especially startling after seeing it’s contemporaries.
https://static01.nyt.com/images/2011/12/05/arts/05LEONARDO/05LEONARDO-jumbo.jpg
@Kárl: Repeat business? Who’d want to see it more than once?
@Michael Lynch: they turn the pages every few weeks so you could visit a few times and see different portions of the book.
@David Jordan: thanks David, I’ll keep it in mind if I’m ever in the area
@Kárl: Power tip get a son in there as a student and pay fees, accomodation and as a student he gets you in for free. See I fooled them…
“planning to open up its campus with a series of new pedestrian entrances.”
They would want to be careful about creating new rights of way – the old area is nice as is, been that way for hundreds of years – be shame to have it turned into a shortcut for cyclists etc.
Should be in the National Museum and viewing should be for free
@Gerard O’Donovan: the whole university? Wouldn’t fit my man.
Grand little spot. Great down by the pav on a nice day. Ah the good old days when I wasn’t half as much of a di-ck as I am now!
Walked out of the accommodation many a Saturday morning IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN
@Terrence Edwards: Fake News
Truly wonderful place to visit .
Should be in the National Museum and viewing should be for free.
It’s a university not a bloody park. Surely the staff and students should come first. Who cares if people who have no reason to go in there don’t go in there. They’re solving a non-existent problem.
Yes, went to college and got engaged there
Trinity College has the smallest cemetery, in Ireland, I’m still trying to find it. Then there’s the Zoological Museum (only €2 entrance fee), in the summer, an’ the Geology Dept.
@Claire Cahill: The cemetery is on the right side of the outside of the chapel in Front Square, towards the back. Walk down the ramp to the left of the Buttery and then up the few steps at the end of the ramp on the left. Look down and to your left and you’ll see the little cemetery. There’s not a lot to see, to be honest
@Greg Kane: I think two or three of the provosts from the 17th and 18th century are buried there
@Claire Cahill: I would love to find out if the rumour is true that there are/were tunnels under the college that anatomy students used to bring in bodies from the dame street area?
@Claire Cahill:
What about the Costello “church” in Carrick-0n-Shannon where only a husband & wife are buried?
Great buildings
Next week the journal will ask:
Have you ever been on a bus?
Have you ever eaten a banana?
Do you sweep the floor in your house?
Did you ever look at a seagull?
@Seamus ó Corcoráin: haha have you ever been on a bus ? Yes no or I’m not sure
The only reason non-students go into the Trinity grounds is to rob bicycles.
Yes. Went to college, got married, first child conceived there and graduated from there.
Only went there for a job interview, didn’t get the job…
Yes, went to college and got engaged there
Yes, went to college and got engaged there
Yes, went to college and got engaged there
Yes, some of my kids were fortunate enough to have gone to college there. I’ve been very lucky to have visited the college a number of times and seen the Book of Kells, something I have a great deal of interest in. I also couldn’t help myself taking the mickey out of some American tourists once, they were convinced I had some inside knowledge. Every time we turned a corner they seemed to be there, so in the end I… err… translated for them. I’m very sorry. I know, if there’s a hell I’m going.
Trinity has had a chequered 19c past when it excluded Catholics and perhaps should not have been supported post 1921.
@Moorooka Mick: hmmm I fail to see exactly what benefit there would have been “not supporting” the college post 1921 ….one that has a history with the likes of Oscar Wilde attending , that has been there hundreds of years and has a world class old library …,,over bigotry ??? And how we wouldn’t be just as guilty if we chose to be selective over what colleges to help grow the new independent country we chose to support ?? Your comment is quite baffling !
What’s the official Church stance on walking through college grounds? Maybe he likes to have a cup of tea in the evenings instead, Ted.
just for cans in the pav and a laugh at the toffes playing cricket!
Stayed in accomodation there a number of times over the summer months when up in the mock capitol while supporting Cork GAA. Cheap and cheerful, good breakfast and great location. I’m sure there is other good stuff in a university too but never got the chance to go to one:)
@AppleToes: Could you repeat that? I didn’t quite catch you the first time.
I went to Trinity and all I got was a lousy BSc.
The coffee is authentic in a couple of the canteens, but they never serve boxty with kippers. I think this may affect intellectual life there.
Stayed in accommodation there a number of times over the summer months in the 90s,00s when up in the mock capitol while supporting Cork hurlers/footballers. Cheap and cheerful, good breakfast and great location. I’m sure there is other good stuff in a university too but never got the chance to go to one:)
have your say