THIS was the moment a large crowd of fans turned out to Dublin Airport to welcome their Olympic heroes home.
Team Ireland flew back into Ireland on Monday afternoon, where they were greeted by a large gathering of fans at the arrivals gate.
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Thirty-five athletes competed in nine different sports at the games and finished with six medals – one gold, three silver, and two bronze.
Family members, friends and supporters waved flags, held banners, cheered and sang “olé olé” as Team Ireland came into the arrivals hall just after 3pm.
Are Lingus staff formed a guard of honour outside the arrival gates.
Runner Orla Comerford, who won bronze in the 100m T13 100m final, told RTE: “I feel like I’m on Cloud Nine. It’s the stuff of dreams.
“You spend your whole life dreaming of this moment when it finally happens words you can’t find words.”
The closing ceremony of the 2024 Paralympics Games took place in Paris last night, where French organisers formally handed over to Los Angeles for the 2028 games.
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin congratulated everyone who has been involved with Team Ireland.
She said: “The Paralympic Games are the culmination of years of hard work and dedication.
“These athletes have inspired the next generation of Paralympians and they are a credit to their families, coaches and communities.
“From the athletes to the coaches, the sporting bodies, Paralympics Ireland and Sport Ireland.
“And of course the families, friends and supporters of the athletes who make such a vital and telling contribution.
“The Government is investing heavily in sport. 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, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne said he had the privilege of being in Paris over the last week “to see at first hand our incredible athletes in action”.
He said: “It was fantastic to see the hugely vocal support they received in their competitions and everybody is enormously proud of our 35-strong team.
“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.”
