Irish Olympians to return home as country marks biggest medal haul

Ireland will welcome home its 133 athletes from Paris on Monday after the most successful Olympic Games in the State’s history.

The athletes will take part in a celebratory homecoming in Dublin city on Monday afternoon to mark Ireland’s biggest medal haul.

Dublin City Council is organising an event in front of the GPO on O’Connell Street to celebrate their success.

A total of 64 women and 69 men competed for Team Ireland across 14 sports, winning seven medals in total.

Four gold medals were won across various events at the Paris games.

Daniel Wiffen (23) from Co Armagh won gold in the men’s 800 metres final and also took a bronze in the men’s 1500 metres final.

Rhys McClenaghan (25) from Co Down won gold in the pommel horse final, in what he called his “redemption story”.

Three athletes retained 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.

Mona McSharry, from Co Sligo, won a bronze medal in the 100-metre breaststroke, while rowers Philip Doyle and Daire Lynch also won bronze.

Minister for Sport Catherine Martin and Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education Thomas Byrne will later welcome the athletes.

Ms 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