Carlow medical student Racheal Diyaolu has crossed the border from war-torn Ukraine.
In a video message she filmed at a border crossing with Romania, Racheal said she was "finally at safety".
She said she was with her friends, and showed a big queue of people at the border.
The 19-year-old from Carlow - who had been studying medicine in Ukraine - thanked people for their support.
"Big thank you to everyone back home who has been following my story and supporting me. I can't explain how grateful I am."
Message from Carlow student Racheal Diayolu, who has safely made it to the Romanian border with Ukraine after a 3 day journey. The 19 year old had been stranded in Sumy since the Russian invasion 2 weeks ago @rtenews pic.twitter.com/SFt1X4SPbU
— Laura Hogan (@LauraHoganTV) March 9, 2022
She also paid tribute to the two men, Joe McCarthy and Gary Taylor, who came to her assistance in Sumy and drove her to the Romanian border.
The men, who work as landscape gardeners, have described their relief at safely dropping Ms Diyaolu to the Ukrainian border.
Mr McCarthy, originally from Birmingham, and Mr Taylor spoke to RTÉ News from their vehicle in Ukraine, that they have used to rescue stranded civilians.
"It's been a long day, a long process really, to get Racheal, six others and a young child safely to the border, was a relief", said Mr McCarthy.
They picked up the group, the third one they have transported, in the eastern city of Sumy, describing getting there as "mission impossible 3".
"It's been going on since Sunday. We had to travel up there, we had to try and get in. We had a lot of problems with the Russians. They stole my phone, they shot the tyres out", Mr McCarthy said.
Mr Taylor also described how Russians soldiers held guns against their heads, and took their food.
The men said they have been afraid during their endeavours.
"I'm not going to lie. Having 3km of Russian army staring their tank barrels at us, was not very nice. It's just one of those things that you get through and you carry on", said Mr McCarthy.
But after getting help from local people, the duo decided to carry on into Sumy where they met Ms Diyaolu and her group.
Mr Taylor said dropping the groups to safety makes him feel happy.
"It makes it all worthwhile, what we're doing. It's a lot of driving but it's worthwhile in the end," he said.
The men are still in Ukraine and are already planning their next rescue "mission".
They have not put a time scale on how long they will stay in the war torn country, but said that they will stay as long as they can.
Earlier, Christiana Diyaolu revealed in a post on Twitter that her sister was crossing to safety.
"They have made it to an EU border, I could shout from the hills," she wrote.
Speaking to RTÉ News, Christiana Diyaolu said she managed to speak to Racheal on the phone.
"They're freezing, but they're delighted. They've had to get out of their cars and walk the rest of the way because of the traffic, so I think they're on foot," she said.
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Christiana said that as far as she knows, her sister will not be back in Ireland until tomorrow.
"I don't know how long it's going to take for them to get through the border. So it probably won't be until tomorrow, but that's fine, as long as we know she's safe and she's on her way," she said.
Christiana said her family are delighted and just cannot wait to see Racheal.
She thanked Joe McCarthy and Gary Taylor, describing them as selfless.
"I have no words to describe how grateful I am. They are just regular civilians like myself. They're so selfless and have shown true bravery.
"They have risked their lives to help civilians and bring people to safety. I'd just give them a hug. I have no words, just to say thank you.
"We are forever indebted to them, there is a seat at our kitchen table for the two of them, always," she said.
Also today, Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris said Irish students who were forced to leave Ukraine will be facilitated to continue their studies in Ireland.
"My Department is making contact with all students involved and we will work tirelessly to support them," he said on Twitter.
