Thousands Greet Olympic Heroes Despite Deluge

Around 5,000 people turned out in the center of Dublin on one of the wettest days of the summer to welcome home Ireland's most successful Olympics team since 1956.

Individual celebrations were held in Bray for Katie Taylor, in Mullingar for John Joe Nevin, and in Belfast for Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlan earlier in the week.

But after a few days of minor controversy over the lack of an official national homecoming, an event was organized for Dublin's Dawson Street on Wednesday last.

Unfortunately it coincided with a deluge, and Met Office warnings of possible hurricane-style conditions.

But nonetheless, several thousand people turned out to see the entire Irish team.

The biggest cheer was reserved for gold medallist Katie Taylor, who told the crowd she hoped her success would inspire young girls to take up sport and dream of Olympic success.

Showjumping bronze medallist Cian O'Connor - who was competing at the Dublin Horse Show earlier that morning - took time out from the equestrian event to attend the celebrations.

Belfast boys Michael Conlan and Paddy Barnes joked about going on holidays to Ibiza with Katie Taylor.

She told them she'd return a raging alcoholic if she did (Katie is a teetotaler).

But in fact the two Belfast boys were planning a week in Bundoran in Co. Donegal with their friends.

And John Joe Nevin showed off his silver medal to the cheering crowds.

The civic reception, hosted by Dublin's Lord Mayor Naoise O'Muiri, was an opportunity for the public to thank those members of the team, like Sailing's Annalise Murphy, walker Rob Heffernan and Modern Pentathlon's Natalye Coyle who performed brilliantly but finished outside the medals.

"I am still overwhelmed by the response to the win," Katie Taylor said.

"I know now I did something really special for my country. I didn't realize what was going on at home until I got back. I can't wait to relax a bit but I am not complaining about the attention. I haven't stopped crying for the last few days, to be honest."

After the public event, the members of the team were taken, with their families, by coach to Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park for an official State reception hosted by Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

Mr Kenny told them they had provided precious moments for the nation to cherish, and the country wanted to thank them for what they'd done.

He said success in sort was "not all about funding" but about putting in place systems to spot potential in schools.

He said the London games also highlighted the changed relationship between Ireland and Britain - pointing to the atmosphere in the Excel Boxing Arena on the day Katie Taylor won her gold medal.

British fans cheered Taylor and Irish fans cheered Nicola Adams of Britain who won the first gold medal in women's boxing in the fight that preceded Taylor's.

Mr Kenny said that would not have happened a decade ago.