The past two weeks saw Ireland leave the French capital with seven medals, including four gold, in what proved to be the nation’s most successful ever outing at the legendary sporting event.
After etching their names into the history books, Dublin City Council and the Olympic Federation of Ireland are throwing Team Ireland’s first-ever civic reception following the Olympics in front of the GPO.
Prior to being met by thousands of their fans, the athletes traveled from Paris back to Ireland via an Aer Lingus flight, which landed at around 11 am on Monday, August 12.
Despite being ruled out of being a flag bearer at the Games’ closing ceremony on Sunday night due to illness, swimmer Daniel Wiffen led the gang in posing for snaps in the airplane’s cockpit.
We’re more used to seeing Daniel Wiffen’s head popping out the swimming pool. Not today… (and he’s got a little company??) pic.twitter.com/jAPhfiwggv
— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) August 12, 2024
Daniel claimed two medals for Team Ireland during the Paris Games, with a memorable gold in the 800-metre freestyle race followed by bronze in the 1500 meters.
The 23-year-old finished off his Olympics by participating in the 10k swim race – which took place in the much-maligned waters of the river Seine on Saturday, but confirmed on social media that he was rushed to hospital after feeling "very unwell with a bug."
Joining Daniel in taking celebratory photos in the plane was gold-medal gymnast Rhys McClenaghan, who picked up the country’s first gymnastics gold on a pommel horse.
Team Ireland: Mona McSharry with her medal and Rhys McClenaghan and Skibbereen rower Fintan McCarthy with their gold medal.
Also spotted at Dublin airport was bronze-medal winning swimmer Mona McSharry, who won Ireland’s first medal of the games, and mixed relay runner Thomas Barr.
Mona joined Rhys, Daniel, bronze medalist Daire Lynch, gold medalist Fintan McCarthy, and bronze medalist Philip Doyle for a photo in front of the aircraft with their medals.
Once off the tarmac and in the airport, Team Ireland’s various athletes from various sports were greeted by a host of fans who greeted them with a chorus of cheers and applause.
Behind the scenes: ?
How it feels to be an Olympic champion walking out to meet your adoring Irish fans… ?? pic.twitter.com/bghKpy2Mxe
— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) August 12, 2024
Team Ireland are expected to land in the heart of the Irish capital at around 1:30 pm for their homecoming ceremony on O’Connell Street, with tens of thousands of people set to attend.
O’Connell Street and Killarney Street in Dublin 1 will be closed to traffic from 10 am until 10 pm on Monday. There will be no parking on Sean McDermott Street. Delays are expected throughout the city.
Skibbereen rower Fintan McCarthy talking to RTE media.
Green Line Luas services will be suspended between Dominic and St. Stephen’s Green Luas Stops from 9:30 am until 10 pm to facilitate the event. Luas Green Line services will run between Broombridge and Dominic Luas Stops, and from St. Stephen’s Green to Brides Glen Luas Stops only during this time.
The Luas Red Line services will be suspended between Smithfield and The Point stops from 9:30 am until 10 pm. Valid Luas tickets will be accepted on Dublin Bus.
In respect of buses, they will be diverted from O’Connell Street from 10 am and will re-commence on the north side of the street at 5:00 pm and on the south side of the street at 10 pm.
Later in the evening, Kellie Harrington will walk from Gardiner Street to Killarney Street, for an event near her home on Portland Road to enjoy further celebrations with her loved ones.
*This article was originally published on Extra.ie.
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