Donegal’s Kelly McGrory was one of Ireland’s Olympic heroes that was welcomed to a special homecoming reception at Áras an Uachtaráin this week.
President Michael D Higgins hosted a selection of Ireland’s Olympians, including gold medallists Kellie Harrington, Fintan McCarthy and Rhys McClenaghan, as well as bronze medallists Philip Doyle and Daire Lynch.
The members of the 4×400 mixed relay team which won European gold earlier in the year, and came so close to winning a medal in Paris were also a part of the ceremony, with Kelly McGrory, Sophie Becker, Phil Healy and Sharlene Mawdsley attending.
A number of other athletes and members of Team Ireland were also present.
“Paris 2024 was Ireland’s most successful ever Olympic Games: seven medals, four gold, three bronze, 26 top-10 finishes, all led by the nation’s largest-ever team of 134 qualified athletes across 15 sports,” the President said in his remarks at the ceremony.
“The combined medals of Mona McSharry, Daniel Wiffen, Rhys McClenaghan, Phillip Doyle, Daire Lynch, Paul O’Donovan, Fintan McCarthy and Kellie Harrington constitutes what will likely be regarded as the greatest single week in the history of Irish sport.”
“How fitting that all these achievements occurred 100 years after Ireland’s first appearance as an independent nation at the Olympics Games in 1924, which also took place in Paris, when Jack Butler Yeats won silver in the Painting competition and Oliver St. John Gogarty took home a bronze medal in the Literature event.”
“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 pride and encouragement.”
“The Olympics has been the culmination of four years, indeed a lifetime, of hard work and dedicated training by our athletes, and I extend my admiration and deep appreciation to all those who have competed and given their all across so many sporting disciplines, including personal bests, national records and an Olympic record. In every aspect there has been real achievement.”
“We recognise today too the enormous contribution of the coaches and mentors and the vital contribution of your families and supporters who have supported you to this pinnacle of sporting achievement, many of whom travelled to Paris to cheer you on, and to all those who have helped you on their individual and collective journeys.”