Thousands gather on O'Connell Street to welcome Irish Olympians home

Over 20,000 people have turned out to welcome Team Ireland home from the Olympics.

They took to the stage on O'Connell Street in Dublin for the first homecoming ceremony of its kind.

Irish athletes brought home a record number of medals this year - four gold and three bronze.

Gold medallist Daniel Wiffen said it feels incredible to be an inspiration to others.

"Yeah, it means so much. Everybody does this sport [swimming] to try to inspire someone, and to hear so many people have started to swim and go to swimming clubs seems like a real big impact we've had on the whole of Ireland."

A series of traffic restrictions are in place to facilitate the homecoming outside the GPO.

O'Connell Street is closed fully until 5.30pm, when one lane will open, with the rest to follow after 10pm.

Northbound traffic is being re-directed through Eden Quay and southbound traffic is being moved towards Gardiner Street.

Luas stops on both the Red and Green lines are closed between Smithfield and the Point, and Dominick and Stephen's Green.

Finally, Dublin Bus has published a long list of route diversions on its website.