A global audience, plus half a million people in-person witnessed Ireland’s Olympians as they celebrated Team Ireland’s Centenary on St Patrick’s Day.
A showpiece of famous Olympians, Team Ireland mascots, colourful performers representing Olympic sports; and a full class of school children who have completed the Dare to Believe programme marched through the streets of Dublin to the cheers of onlookers in the latest in a series of events marking 100 years since Ireland first participated at the Olympic Games of Paris 1924.
Olympic silver medalists Kenneth Egan and David Wilkins, bronze medalist Aidan Walsh and his sister – Paris 2024 qualified Michaela, plus two time Olympian Catherina McKiernan led the Team Ireland showpiece alongside swimming Olympians Shane Ryan and Ellen Walshe; and men’s hockey Olympians Eugene McGee and Shane O’Donohoe.
They were followed by a giant Olympic torch bearing Team Ireland’s special Centenary logo plus the images of famous Irish Olympians including double Olympic gold medalist Pat O’Callaghan, silver medalist Sonia O’Sullivan, athletics gold medalist Ronnie Delaney and boxing gold medalist Michael Carruth. Also featured on the 3m high torch were more recent Olympic champions Kellie Harrington, Katie Taylor; and Fintan McCarthy and Paul O’Donovan.
The Olympic torch, with its towering flames resonating with the theme of “spreach (meaning spark)” at St. Patrick’s Festival. Each step surrounding the cauldron was labelled with a different Olympic year, city and medals won by Team Ireland.
