The event saw the attendance of most of the Irish athletes who won medals, along with many other competitors from the team. Families and supporters, waving flags and holding homemade signs, eagerly awaited a glimpse of their sporting heroes.

Young girls wore white bows in their hair in tribute to sprinter Rhasidat Adeleke, while parents lifted their children onto their shoulders for a better view of the stage.

Team Ireland was represented by 64 women and 69 men across 14 sports at the Paris Games, bringing home four gold medals and three bronze. Among the standout performers, Daniel Wiffen, 23, claimed gold in the men’s 800m final and bronze in the men’s 1500m final, while Rhys McClenaghan, 25, from Co Down, won gold in the pommel horse final.

Three athletes successfully defended their Olympic titles from the Tokyo Games: Skibbereen rowers Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy in the men’s lightweight double sculls, and Dubliner Kellie Harrington in the women’s 60kg boxing event. Additionally, Mona McSharry from Co Sligo earned a bronze in the 100m breaststroke, and rowers Philip Doyle and Daire Lynch secured bronze medals as well.

Addressing the massive crowd, Harrington expressed deep gratitude, calling the support from her home country “just fantastic.” She emphasized how much the unwavering support from the nation means to the athletes, regardless of the outcome of their competitions.

Fans dressed in Ireland jerseys and other green attire cheered as the athletes took the stage. When asked about the impact on the nation, Harrington highlighted the unifying power of sport, noting, “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.”

Though the reality of her achievements hadn’t fully sunk in yet, Harrington described her journey as “the stuff of dreams.” In response to a call of “one more year” from the crowd, speculating on her potential return for another Olympic gold, she confirmed: “I’m done.”

Among the crowd, Harrington’s parents proudly stood draped in tricolour flags, while children held signs celebrating her second gold medal. One young fan held a banner that read “I heart Mona” in honour of swimmer McSharry’s bronze medal.

Fintan McCarthy described his Olympic experience as “surreal,” adding that hard work paid off as he and his partner Paul O’Donovan secured two gold medals. He hinted at th” possibility of joining Lynch and Doyle for a four-man rowing event at the 2028 Olympics.

Wiffen, the 800m freestyle swimming champion, expressed feeling the nation’s support during his competitions. He confidently predicted that he and his twin brother Nathan would achieve gold and silver in the same event at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, and then led the crowd in a spirited rendition of “Ole, ole, ole, ole.”

Reflecting on her success, McSharry called it a “dream come true,”

noting that all the hard work had led to an extraordinary experience.

The Olympians expressed their gratitude to the fans, with McClenaghan thanking everyone for their support. He also reflected on his journey from the disappointment of the Tokyo Games to his triumph in Paris, highlighting the unpredictable nature of his sport.

Taoiseach Simon Harris praised the Irish Olympians for inspiring the nation, particularly the young people across Ireland, and vowed to continue investing in sport. He noted that the entire country had been cheering on the athletes, with many losing their voices from the excitement.

He also acknowledged the lack of productivity during the Paris Games but emphasized the importance of supporting the athletes as they realized just how much their efforts meant to the 5.6 million people cheering them on from home.

Minister for Sport Catherine Martin echoed these sentiments, celebrating Team Ireland’s achievement as the most successful in the country’s Olympic history. She highlighted the importance of continued investment in the nation’s sporting system to sustain this level of success.