The athletes of the Irish team will receive a hero’s welcome when they return from the Olympic Games in Paris on Monday.

It will be the first time that the Irish Olympic team will receive a public reception on their return home.

Athletes won seven medals at Paris 2024 – four gold and three bronze – with three of those medals going to athletes from Northern Ireland.

It is Ireland’s most successful Olympic team – 100 years after its first participation in the Olympic Games.

After arriving at Dublin Airport, the team will travel to Dublin city centre for a free public event on O’Connell Street.

Swimmer Daniel Wiffen made history by becoming the first Northern Irish athlete to win an individual gold medal since 1972.

The 23-year-old from Magheralin in County Down won gold in the 800m freestyle and bronze in the 1500m freestyle.

After completing his gold medal race, he said: “I wrote, ‘I’m going down in history,’ and that’s exactly what I did.

“It was definitely the way I wanted to run it. It wasn’t the time I wanted, but Olympic finals aren’t about getting times, they’re about being the first to get your hand on the wall.”

Wiffen had tears in his eyes as he accepted his gold medal at the end of the arena, where his family and coaches watched proudly.

After leaving the podium, he ran over and jumped into the arms of his family – including his twin brother Nathan.

Rhys McClenaghan completed the “Grand Slam” in gymnastics after winning gold on the pommel horse.

The victory meant the 25-year-old gymnast from Newtownards in County Down took home the top prize at the World, European, Commonwealth and Olympic tournaments.

“It sounds incredible. It sounds like a dream come true,” he said.

“It still feels like a dream. But it’s a lifetime’s work culminating in one small moment, and that small moment is what you’re seeing right now.

He was visibly moved as he accepted his medal on the podium and said it was remarkable to be able to take it home to Northern Ireland.

“It is the first gold medal for Newtownards at the Olympic Games and I hope I have made everyone at home proud,” he said.

Philip Doyle said the feeling of winning an Olympic bronze medal in the men’s pairs event with Daire Lynch was phenomenal.

The 31-year-old from Lisburn dedicated his medal to his late father Eamonn, who died of cancer in 2015.

He acknowledged the tremendous success of Northern Ireland athletes at the 2024 Olympic Games.

“It’s been incredible to see so many Northern Irish athletes perform so well over the last few days. It’s really spurred me on,” he said.

Boxer Kellie Harrington defended her Olympic title, while Fintan McCarthy and Paul O’Donovan took the other gold medal for Ireland with their victory in the men’s lightweight double sculls.

Mona McSharry rounded out the medal table with a bronze medal in the women’s 100m breaststroke.

Three other athletes from Northern Ireland won medals as part of Team GB.

What’s happening today?

The public reception for Team Ireland will take place from 12:30pm in front of the General Post Office (GPO) on O’Connell Street in central Dublin.

The event, planned in collaboration with Dublin City Council, is free to the public.

Before the team takes the stage, entertainment is provided.

Dublin Lord Mayor James Geoghegan said: “Now we have the chance to tell them personally how proud we are of them.

“I have no doubt that her efforts will have inspired many girls and boys across the city and across the country to one day try to be like her.”

Gavin Noble, Team Ireland’s Chef de Mission, added: “Over the last few weeks our athletes have performed outstandingly and inspired the nation with their achievements at the Olympic Games in Paris.”