'They gave us so much': Fans celebrate Ireland's Olympic heroes

Ireland’s successes at Olympic games had been so few and far between for so long that the names of those who did secure those elusive medals were etched into our collective memory — the likes of Ronnie Delaney, Michael Carruth, John Treacy, Sonia O’Sullivan.

But what once was rare has now become routine. Ireland is a big player on the world’s sporting stage now. We’ve just come 19th in the world in the Paris medal table after our best-ever Olympics.

Top 20 in the world. Four gold medals across four sports. Another three bronze to go with them. Agonisingly close to medalling in a few other events.

After a truly unprecedented few weeks for Irish sport, it was no wonder that so many would come out to welcome the incredible athletes home.

Ray Larkin, from Tullamore in Offaly, said he travelled up to Dublin on Monday morning.

“I came up today to shout on our heroes,” he said. “That’s it. I’m absolutely thrilled. They gave us so much enjoyment, so they did, over the last few weeks. Brilliant is not the word. They deserve all the credit. They gave us all a lift.” 

Mr Larkin was in no doubt about who his favourite was, adding: “I’d have to give it to Kellie Harrington. I have to, she’s a legend. She’s one of the best I’ve ever seen in my life. I think we in Ireland needed this lift. There’s nothing to replace this today.” 

It was very much a family affair in Dublin with large swathes of the crowd made up of children and families eager to get a glimpse of the athletes they’ve watched representing Ireland these last few weeks.

Stuart Moloney had travelled from Tipperary with his children for the homecoming today.

“We’re here just for the excitement of it,” he said. “All the athletes after a fantastic two weeks, they’re fantastic ambassadors for their country.” 

Neasa Moloney (12) said she couldn’t choose her favourite between Rhasidat Adeleke, Sharlene Mawdsley and Mona McSharry while her sister Doireann (11) opted for Rhys McClenaghan and Kellie Harrington. They both agreed they would love to be runners in the future.

Michaela Piare and Isabel Piare, from Sallins, Co Kildare, had attended many events in Paris to cheer on Team Ireland and were delighted to be in Dublin to welcome them home.

“We were there for eight events,” Michaela said. “We can’t wait to see the four girls [from the 4x400m relay team]. They didn’t get a medal but everybody was for them. And they work. All the athletes work. A tremendous sacrifice.

“We had a brilliant time over there. And we just want to finish it off. It was a great opportunity. I don’t think we’ll get to LA next time. There was so much support over there. We want to show we really appreciate what they’ve done for us. They don’t run for themselves. They run for us. They swim for us. They do it for such a small nation. Let’s hope the Government give us more money.” 

Joey Connor, from Bray, Co Wicklow, attended the event with his children Isabel (10) and Finn (6), both of whose favourite was Rhasidat Adeleke.

“They’ve been watching loads of the Olympics because they’d been on their holidays the last week,” Mr Connor said. “We wanted to come show our support for the guys. They did us proud. We’re very proud of them of them all aren’t we guys?”

The same names were echoed again from children in attendance for who they couldn’t wait to see, with Rhasidat, Sharlene, Rhys, Daniel, Kellie and more on everyone’s lips. Many bore signs dedicated to their heroes too. 

It wasn’t the best of conditions to be standing in close quarters with thousands of others on O’Connell Street while waiting for the show to begin. Temperatures were in the low 20s as the sun beat down, with some requiring medical attention at various stages of the proceedings.

It was later announced that there were 20,000 people stretching back from the GPO to the Abbey Street junction. 

Some lucky attendees managed to get a great vantage point atop buildings and in windows to watch proceedings.

A DJ began playing tunes now synonymous with the Olympics like Freed from Desire, and then gave way to a dance performance from four Irish youngsters that was streets ahead of the now infamous Raygun in the women’s breakdancing event in Paris.

When RTÉ’s Joanne Cantwell and Marty Morrissey came on stage, it looked like we would finally get the Olympians at last. But not yet. With the greatest of respect to Taoiseach Simon Harris, Ministers Thomas Byrne and Roderic O’Gorman, and Dublin Lord Mayor James Geoghegan, the crowds weren’t there to see them.

Mercifully, after a few brief platitudes about their heroics, the politicians exited stage left to make way for the main event.

First were the athletics team led by women’s 4x400m relay team members. The biggest cheer of the day so far went up as the crowd glimpsed Phil Healy, Sophie Becker and Sharlene Mawdsley come on stage with the rest of the team.

“When I heard there was a homecoming, I thought it was like when you were having a birthday party and you’re scared no one’s going to turn up, that’s what I thought,” Sophie Becker said. “So thank you all so much. Nothing compares to actually seeing everyone here supporting us.” 

This was echoed by Thomas Barr who said the team could feel the support coming from back home through social media and Sarah Lavin who said it’s been “totally surreal and so emotional”.

The ever-confident Daniel Wiffen was in flying form too, and not too weighed down carrying both his gold and bronze medals.

“I definitely felt a whole country backing me going into it,” he said. “Walking out into the stadium was crazy, you always feel those nerves. But you got to level your head and get in and know everyone back home is supporting you and they want the gold medal as much as you do.” 

He was even in the business of predicting not that just he, himself, will be on the podium again for Ireland in four years time, but his twin brother Nathan will too.

Bronze medallist Mona McSharry, meanwhile, described winning a medal at the Olympics was a "dream come true". "I got to experienced something magical," the swimmer said. 

Perhaps the greatest ovation was reserved for two-time Olympic gold medalist Kellie Harrington, who praised the support Team Ireland had received and welcomed her coaches on stage. 

“We’re a small nation, but we’re a mighty nation,” she said. 

There's no doubt that the 20,000 in attendance and millions who watched the Olympics at home would agree.

And there was the sense too among those watching these incredible athletes that this could be just a beginning for Irish sport. There’s plenty more to come. After the success of Paris, roll on LA in 2028.