TEAM IRELAND RECEIVED a hero’s welcome when they arrived at Dublin Airport this afternoon following a successful stint at the 2024 Paralympics.

The team bring back six medals – one gold, three silver and two bronze – after Katie-George Dunlevy (twice with Linda Kelly and once with Eve McCrystal), Róisín Ní Riain and Orla Comerford climbed the podium in Paris.

There were six other fourth-placed finishes.

The team were greeted by friends, family and fans as they arrived at Dublin Airport this afternoon. 

In a statement this evening, Taoiseach Simon Harris said the country was “incredibly proud” of the Paralympians.

Roisin Ni Riain, Linda Kelly, Katie-George Dunlevy, Orla Comerford and Eve McCrystal arriving at Terminal 2 Dublin Airport. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

“The joyous scenes in Dublin Airport at the return of Ireland’s Paralympic team is not only the least our athletes deserve, but it’s the least anyone who has spent time with Team Ireland would expect,” Harris said. 

He said the team’s energy, enthusiasm and level of support from their “army of travelling fans” has been “infectious to watch and be around”. 

“I said in Paris at the opening of the games that the time I had spent with Team Ireland was among the most inspiring in my time as Taoiseach. That was before a single event was contested.

What the team went on to do in the games will not only inspire this generation of Paralympic athletes, but those looking towards the next games as well as all of us watching on.

“Congratulations to every one of you and make sure you enjoy the rest of the homecomings in your communities with your families.”

Minister for Sport Catherine Martin congratulated all who were involved with Team Ireland and acknowledged their years of dedication and hard work.

Ireland's Orla Comerford with her grand-uncle Eamon holding her medal at Dublin Airport. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

“These athletes have inspired the next generation of Paralympians and they are a credit to their families, coaches and communities,” she said adding that the government will continue to invest heavily in sport,” Martin said.

“It is helping to ensure that our athletes can prepare for these prestigious international sporting competitions in the best possible way.

“We will continue to do so in the coming years, not just in the high performance system but also at grassroots community level.”

Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education Thomas Byrne was at the Games last week.

“It was fantastic to see the hugely vocal support they received in their competitions and everybody is enormously proud of our 35-strong team,” he said.

Ireland flagbearers Ellen Keane and Michael Murphy at the closing ceremony of the Paralympic Games Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

“They have all represented their country with distinction and have created some truly historic moments this past fortnight that will be remembered for a very long time.

“The Government, for its part, is proud to have supported Team Ireland with record funding to support high performance sport.”

Team Ireland consisted of 35 athletes who were selected to compete in nine different sports – a larger team than the one that competed at the last Paralympic Games in Tokyo in 2021.

Over 40% of Team Ireland athletes became first-time Paralympians in Paris. As well as the 6 medals won in Paris, including one gold, three silver, and two bronze, Team Ireland also had over 20 top 8 performances.

With reporting by Jane Moore