Success of Irish Olympians has 'inspired the nation', says Taoiseach

Taoiseach Simon Harris told the homecoming for Team Ireland following the Olympic Games that Ireland's athletes have inspired children around the country, saying they now believe they can grow up to represent Ireland and win medals.

Large crowds gathered at Dublin Airport and in the city centre to welcome the team home following what was the State’s most successful Olympics, yielding seven medals.

Dublin City Council organised the celebratory event at the GPO on O'Connell Street which began at midday and runs through the afternoon.

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, won gold in the men's 800m final and also took a bronze in the men's 1,500 metres final.

Rhys McClenaghan, 25, 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.

Speaking at the event, the Taoiseach said the team had done the country proud, with the public glued to their screens for the last two weeks.

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"They have done us so proud. I was just saying backstage that there has