Gallery - The homecoming in images

Katie Taylor emerged first from the Team Ireland plane

Followed by Ireland's other medal winners. Pictured left to right: John Joe Nevin (silver), Paddy Barnes (bronze), Michael Conlan (bronze), Cian O'Connor (bronze) and Katie Taylor (gold)

The press swarmed around Ireland's medal winners at Dublin Airport

The golden girl was a picture of happiness throughout the day and the real star of the occasion

However, bronze medallists Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlan were also serious stars in their own right, as Belfast welcomed them home

Katie's fans were out in force along Bray seafront to welcome her home

St Patrick even turned up for the occasion

An estimated 20,000 people turned up to welcome home Ireland's gold-medal winner

And saw an open-top bus pull in to Bray with Ireland's hero aboard

The tickertape flew and the crowd roared as Katie lapped up her moment of glory

The image of the day was most certainly this one though. As Spandau Ballet once put it: "Always believe in your soul. You've got the power to know. You're indestructible. Always believe in, because you are, gold