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Kellie Harrington shows off her medals RollingNews.ie

'We're going to party for a few days': A proud 'mighty nation' welcomes Team Ireland home

Thousands descended on Dublin O’Connell Street to see the country’s athletes.

THERE WAS MUCH made of the opening ceremony at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

On the day almost three weeks ago now, as athletes cruised down the River Seine waving their countries’ flags with pride, the torrential rain was said to have put a bit of a dampener on the occasion. 

But there was no wet weather in Dublin this afternoon. Rather, a sea of green, white and orange as thousands descended on O’Connell Street to welcome home Team Ireland’s 137 sportsmen and women. 

The glorious sunshine went hand-in-hand with the electric atmosphere, the buzz of excitement in the air, the fact that this was Ireland’s most successful performance at an Olympic Games in history not lost on anyone. 

Seven medals – four gold and three bronze. Nineteenth in the overall medal table. A record-breaking finish. 

Ray Larkin got the 7am train from Tullamore, Co Offaly to the country’s capital to see the homecoming. Clad in an Ireland jersey and cowboy hat and waving a tricolour, he could barely contain his excitement as he spoke to The Journal.

“These are legends. These are heroes,” he said.

“The effort that they have put in, they have all given us a massive lift. We had something to look forward to for a change. We went through Covid, and we never thought that we’d see these days. These are legends.

IMG_9231 Ray Larkin from Co Offaly. Jane Moore / The Journal Jane Moore / The Journal / The Journal

“You look at some of the athletes, they trained for four years for maybe two minutes to perform, and they kept going. Unbelievable.

We’re going to party for a few days now.

The atmosphere only built as a DJ hyped up the crowd with hits like Mr Brightside, Freed from Desire – a tune that is never far from a sports celebration – and David Bowie’s Heroes.

Dancers also took to the stage to entertain those who had made the journey before the athletes’ arrival. 

‘Unbelievable’

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.

Alice and Grace are both runners themselves. Unsurprisingly, they said that their favourite event at the games was the athletics – specifically the track and field events. Their favourite athlete? Rhasidat Adeleke.

IMG_9236 Nicky, Alice and Grace. Jane Moore / The Journal Jane Moore / The Journal / The Journal

Children held signs celebrating Harrington’s second gold medal and one girl was seen holding an “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.

There were young and old at the front of the barriers, but mostly young. Children of all ages, some on their parent’s shoulders, cheered and held up homemade signs, eager to see their sporting heroes.

This mood was captured by Taoiseach Simon Harris, who spoke briefly before the athletes were introduced.

“We’ve talked a lot about lighting flames, and really what these men and women have done is lit a flame in all of the young people right across Ireland,” he said.

There are so many little tiny kids, including my own, who now believe they too can be the very best in the world, that they can represent Ireland, that they can win medals.

“That’s what they’ve done, and what we will do now is invest in sport because we believe in these athletes and that’s going to be the legacy of these Paris games.”

If these Games have shown anything, it is that they can. 

sisters-12-year-old-neasa-moloney-left-and-11-year-old-doireann-moloney-right-from-tipperary-display-homemade-posters-among-the-crowd-on-oconnell-street-in-dublin-ahead-of-a-homecoming-event-fo Sisters 12-year-old Neasa Moloney and 11-year-old Doireann Moloney from Tipperary, display homemade posters among the crowd on O'Connell Street. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Not long after Harris spoke, they arrived – and the atmosphere went up another notch.

Those athletes that the country had cheered on from their television screens for the last two weeks made their way onto the stage, and O’Connell Street erupted.

‘A small nation, but a mighty nation’

It caught some of them by surprise. “When I heard there was a homecoming, I thought it would be a bit like a birthday party when you’re scared no one is gonna show up,” Sophie Becker confessed, before thanking the crowd for their support.

The biggest cheers were for swimming Bronze medalist Mona McSharry, and the Gold medalists: rower Fintan McCarthy, gymnast Rhys McClenaghan, boxer Kellie Harrington and swimmer Daniel Wiffen. 

After chants of ‘Kellie, Kellie, Kellie’, the double Olympic champion also hailed the support of the crowd – and the country.

“We’re a small nation, but we’re a mighty nation,” she said.

a-general-view-of-thousands-of-people-gathered-along-dublins-main-thoroughfare-to-celebrate-the-homecoming-by-irish-olympians-after-the-most-successful-medal-haul-ever-at-the-paris-2024-olympic-game Thousands of people gathered along Dublin's main thoroughfare to celebrate Team Ireland's homecoming. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

“To have the support now of this nation for all of us, from the bottom of every one of our hearts, it really does mean the world. Whether we win, lose or 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.”

Daniel Wiffen made a prediction when asked whether his twin brother Nathan – who is also a swimmer – might challenge him at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. 

“I’m sure in LA we’ll be both on the podium,” he said, adding that he hoped the country would be able to cheer the two of them on.

“We’ll make Ireland proud with hopefully a gold and a silver – he can have the silver.”

‘Roll on LA’ 

Donegal native Breege Condy came home from Australia last week to visit family, including sisters Mary Bennett and Kathleen Campbell. There was no way she was missing the Team Ireland homecoming.

IMG_9292 Kathleen Campbell, Mary Bennett and Breege Condy. Jane Moore / The Journal Jane Moore / The Journal / The Journal

Wrapped in her county flag, she told The Journal that she watched most of the Games in Australia, including the swimming. Team Oz won 18 medals in the water, including seven Golds. 

“Australia is really good at swimming and you very rarely see other countries, but when I saw Wiffen, I went ‘oh my god!’.

“It was just the most incredible thing to be an Irish person living in Australia and seeing an Irish person tip the wall. It was 5am in the morning my time. Then I was awake!”

Mary barely missed a minute of the Games. “I’ve watched for the last two weeks – up from seven o’clock every morning, television on all day. It was absolutely brilliant,” she told The Journal

“When you think of the effort that these guys have put in to get to here so we can watch them winning a medal and be experts on the couch. It’s just incredible.”

So, what about Los Angeles 2028? “We’ll all be going to LA for the next one. We’re going to book our tickets today,” Condy said.

“Roll on LA.”

We’ll all be watching. 

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    Mute thephantomshit
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    Sep 19th 2019, 9:28 AM

    Is this the most pointless poll yet?

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    Mute Eoin O'C
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    Sep 19th 2019, 9:35 AM

    @thephantomshit: Yes
    No
    Not Sure

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    Mute Jerry Donovan
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    Sep 19th 2019, 9:52 AM

    @thephantomshit: run a poll to see ?

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    Mute Jim O Brien - TechBuzz Ireland
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    Sep 19th 2019, 10:47 AM

    @thephantomshit: The polls are silly full stop.

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    Mute Orpuk Jones
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    Sep 19th 2019, 11:34 AM

    @thephantomshit: its primary purpose appears to be to give people the opportunity to use the word ‘inconceivable’ in the comments section.

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    Mute Jerry Donovan
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    Sep 19th 2019, 12:30 PM

    @Orpuk Jones: seems implausible

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    Mute Squiddley Diddley
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    Sep 19th 2019, 9:30 AM

    Inconceivable!

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    Mute Reuben Gray
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    Sep 19th 2019, 11:44 AM

    @Squiddley Diddley: The perfect response….

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    Mute The Quare Fella
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    Sep 19th 2019, 1:02 PM

    @Squiddley Diddley:
    You can imagine what a remake would like.
    (Inclusion rider)
    It was successful for good reason. Leave well alone

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    Mute Jodi
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    Sep 19th 2019, 9:29 AM

    Yes, I’ve watched it 20 times. No, I wouldn’t watch any remake. As Cary Elwes said – “There’s a shortage of perfect movies in this world. It would be a pity to damage this one.”

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    Mute Peter Cavey
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    Sep 19th 2019, 10:04 AM

    @Jodi: to be honest, just as long as no one touches the Goonies, then I don’t mind what they remake

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    Mute Dave Thomas
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    Sep 19th 2019, 10:09 AM

    @Peter Cavey: don’t give them ideas.

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    Mute Nollaig Elliot
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    Sep 19th 2019, 10:42 AM

    @Peter Cavey:

    Surely you wouldn’t watch a remake of Stand By Me?

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    Mute Diogenes
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    Sep 19th 2019, 9:37 AM

    Plundering greed, nothing original left in Hollywood.

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    Mute D Writer
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    Sep 19th 2019, 9:52 AM

    @Diogenes: the studios find its easier to rehash previous successful stories than to risk doing something original.

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    Mute Grumpyoldtroll
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    Sep 19th 2019, 9:34 AM

    Hello my name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my movie prepare to die.

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    Mute Dave Harris
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    Sep 19th 2019, 12:21 PM

    @Grumpyoldtroll: fun fact. The same actor played Saul berenson in homeland

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    Mute Tony Murphy
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    Sep 19th 2019, 3:13 PM

    @Dave Harris:

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    Mute Tony Murphy
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    Sep 19th 2019, 3:14 PM

    @Dave Harris:

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    Mute Tony Murphy
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    Sep 19th 2019, 3:14 PM

    @Dave Harris:

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    Sep 19th 2019, 3:14 PM

    @Dave Harris:

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    Mute Nathan Carr
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    Sep 19th 2019, 10:10 AM

    As you wish

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    Mute Cosmological
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    Sep 19th 2019, 9:51 AM

    Who gives a toss? That should have been an option.

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    Mute Vocal Outrage
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    Sep 19th 2019, 10:15 AM

    @Cosmological: I was, but rephrase to be less insulting as ‘I’m not sure’ but at least you got your name into the comments section of the Journal. Well done you

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    Mute Reuben Gray
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    Sep 19th 2019, 11:51 AM

    I’d prefer a sequel to be honest. Most of the actors are still alive and it could be the next Pirated of the Caribbean if they continue the story of the Dread Pirate Roberts.

    Feck it, Arya of house Stark could join the crew….

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    Mute Will
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    Sep 19th 2019, 12:52 PM

    @Reuben Gray: That would involve coming up with some original ideas. Hollywood won’t go there.
    Good idea though!

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    Mute Buster Cat
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    Sep 19th 2019, 12:50 PM

    I went to a quote along screening of this movie in the Prince Charles cinema in London years ago it was fantastic! people were dressed as the characters everyone was quoting along to the script and cheering at the fight scenes it was a great night out. this film is a classic and has a cult following leave it alone!
    https://princecharlescinema.com/PrinceCharlesCinema.dll/Home

    what’s next a remake of ET

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    Mute Eddie Mc Keown
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    Sep 19th 2019, 11:12 AM

    Noooooooooooooooooooooo

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    Mute Ed
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    Sep 19th 2019, 11:02 AM

    I haven’t watched the original.

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    Mute Richard Connell
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    Sep 19th 2019, 11:58 AM

    Who would write the music?

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    Mute MurtyMac
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    Sep 19th 2019, 12:04 PM

    No and I never heard of it, whatever it is.

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    Mute Michael Friel
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    Sep 19th 2019, 12:23 PM

    I’d watch but only if it was a straight adaptation of the original Morgenstern.

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    Mute Edmund Murphy
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    Sep 19th 2019, 1:14 PM

    It’s one of my favourate movies and the first reason I got into fencing. I am happy to see it remade, it’s not like the old one will disappear or be any lesser for it.

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    Mute Whatever
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    Sep 19th 2019, 11:10 AM

    Would still watch the remake just to potentially hate it

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    Mute Keith ☘️
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    Sep 19th 2019, 12:16 PM

    No but I ‘haven’t’ seen the original. Poor grammar lads!!

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    Mute Mike Conway
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    Sep 19th 2019, 12:19 PM

    I don’t watch any of these nonsense films- I prefer a dry documentary.

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    Mute Jas
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    Sep 19th 2019, 12:17 PM

    I’m not sure

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    Mute Tony Murphy
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    Sep 19th 2019, 3:18 PM

    @ Dave Harris: Sorry my mind exploded

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    Mute Bunny Johnson
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    Sep 19th 2019, 11:16 AM

    Great idea, just look at how well the remake of the Ten Commandments did. Not heard of it you say!

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    Mute John Hayes
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    Sep 19th 2019, 10:11 AM

    I wouldn’t watch nottin…..

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    Mute vfagan
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    Sep 19th 2019, 11:36 AM

    @John Hayes: that’ll take a while.

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    Mute Garreth Byrne
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    Sep 19th 2019, 3:26 PM

    Who cares about all this distracting chewing gum for the eyes?

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    Mute Buster Cat
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    Sep 19th 2019, 12:50 PM

    I went to a quote along screening of this movie in the Prince Charles cinema in London years ago it was fantastic! people were dressed as the characters everyone was quoting along to the script and cheering at the fight scenes it was a great night out. this film is a classic and has a cult following leave it alone!
    https://princecharlescinema.com/PrinceCharlesCinema.dll/Home

    what’s next a remake of ET

    1
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    Mute Buster Cat
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    Sep 19th 2019, 12:50 PM

    I went to a quote along screening of this movie in the Prince Charles cinema in London years ago it was fantastic! people were dressed as the characters everyone was quoting along to the script and cheering at the fight scenes it was a great night out. this film is a classic and has a cult following leave it alone!
    https://princecharlescinema.com/PrinceCharlesCinema.dll/Home

    what’s next a remake of ET

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    Mute lelookcoco
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    Sep 19th 2019, 1:17 PM

    @Buster Cat: Buster. Did you once go to a quote along screening of this film?

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    Mute Fergus Murphy
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    Sep 19th 2019, 1:48 PM

    @lelookcoco: He went 3 times at least

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    Mute Buster Cat
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    Sep 19th 2019, 2:01 PM

    @lelookcoco: yes once it was years ago but they had it on once a month a long time now

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    Mute Buster Cat
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    Sep 19th 2019, 2:02 PM

    @lelookcoco: there is something wrong with submit page it tells me it didn’t submit but then it does sorry

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