Kelly McGrory among the guests as Olympic heroes welcomed to Áras an Uachtaráin

Laghey's Kelly McGrory was among the guests as Uachtarán na hÉireann, President Michael D Higgins hosted a reception at Áras an Uachtaráin for the athletes who represented Ireland with such distinction at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Those in attendance included gold medallists Kellie Harrington, Fintan McCarthy and Rhys McClenaghan, as well as bronze medallists Philip Doyle and Daire Lynch. 

Also in attendance were Rio 2021 medallists Fiona Murtagh, Eimear Lambe and Aifric Keogh, each of whom also competed at Paris 2024; fourth place finishers Sophie Becker, Phil Healy, Sharlene Mawdsley, McGrory, and Seán Waddilove; and athletes and performance directors from across Team Ireland.

McGrory’s Irish team fell inches short of a medal in the Women's 4x400m Relay after an incredible performance at the Stade de France last month. Mawdsley ran the last leg for Ireland with the Netherlands, with 3:19.50, and Great Britain on 3:19.72 pipping her at the line for second and third, as the United States team stormed to the gold medal in a time of 3:15.27.

The quartet of Becker, Rhasidat Adeleke, Healy and Mawdsley clocked an astonishing national record of 3:19.90, obliterating the previous national record of 3:22.71. Adeleke had come in following her fourth place in the Women's 400m final to replace Tír Chonaill AC’s McGrory who had run in the semi-final the day beforehand. McGrory would've become the first Donegal person to win an Olympic medal.

Speaking at the event, President Higgins said: “Paris 2024 was Ireland’s most successful ever Olympic Games: seven medals, four gold, three bronze, 26 top-10 finishes, all led by the nation’s largest-ever team of 134 qualified athletes across 15 sports.

"The combined medals of Mona McSharry, Daniel Wiffen, Rhys McClenaghan, Phillip Doyle, Daire Lynch, Paul O’Donovan, Fintan McCarthy and Kellie Harrington constitutes what will likely be regarded as the greatest single week in the history of Irish sport.

"How fitting that all these achievements occurred 100 years after Ireland's first appearance as an independent nation at the Olympics Games in 1924, which also took place in Paris, when Jack Butler Yeats won silver in the Painting competition and Oliver St. John Gogarty took home a bronze medal in the Literature event. Each of our record-setting medallists has brought enormous joy to all those watching across our island and beyond and has been a source of pride and encouragement.

"The Olympics has been the culmination of four years, indeed a lifetime, of hard work and dedicated training by our athletes, and I extend my admiration and deep appreciation to all those who have competed and given their all across so many sporting disciplines, including personal bests, national records and an Olympic record. In every aspect there has been real achievement.

"We recognise today too the enormous contribution of the coaches and mentors and the vital contribution of your families and supporters who have supported you to this pinnacle of sporting achievement, many of whom travelled to Paris to cheer you on, and to all those who have helped you on their individual and collective journeys.”