The thousands of Irish fans who flocked to France to watch the Boys in Green compete in the Euro 2016 soccer tournament were hailed from the streets of Lyon to National Public Radio airwaves in the US for their exemplary and classily hilarious behavior while Ireland was still in the running.
Team Ireland were out on Sunday, losing 2 – 1 to France in the Round of 16, but the memory of the Irish fans lingers on – so much so that the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, has announced that they will be bestowed with an award.
A representative of the Irish fans will receive The Medal of the City of Paris. Speaking with the French newspaper L'Équipe, Mayor Hidalgo said the Irish had been "exemplary in their sportsmanship" stood out from all the rest for the "atmosphere" they created during Euro 2016.
����Les supporteurs irlandais ont été exceptionnels durant l'Euro. Heureuse de leur décerner la Médaille de la Ville : https://t.co/iLaaJDYgeW
— Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) June 29, 2016
Indeed, instead of rioting or looting, the Irish fans participated in good-natured antics, such as serenading the French police, singing a lullaby to a baby on a commuter train, picking up trash after a long night of partying in the street, and helping an elderly couple change a flat tire.
Here’s a fun, 360° look at what it was like to be in their midst – click the video and drag to move around the crowd.
Mayor Hidalgo has written to the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins, informing him of the honor. Further details to come.
Well done, lads!
Comments