Members of Team Ireland have received a heroes' welcome at Dublin Airport on their return home from the World Transplant Games in Australia.
The Irish participants who competed in the events in Perth secured 17 medals in total.
The event is used to highlight the importance of organ donation and how it can provide the gift of life.
Ranging in age from 36 up to 75, the Transplant Team Ireland panel have all received organ donations including two liver, two bone marrow, and ten kidney.
Overall 14 people competed for Ireland, with nine claiming medals, seven gold, six silver and four bronze, out of over 1,500 competitors from 46 countries.
Family, friends and supporters turned out at Dublin Airport to greet five of the team members who travelled home.
The other competitors have extended their stay in Australia.
Mairead O'Mahony from Berrings, Cork received bone marrow from her brother when she was aged 18.
The now 44-year-old, who competed in her first Transplant Games this year, topped the medals tally for Team Ireland claiming five medals in track and field events, including two gold.
She said: "There is just a sense of happiness that everyone had" at the games in Perth and she said she was "blown away by it."
Ms O’Mahony said: "Everyone is so grateful to be there and to be alive.
"I'm lucky enough that my oldest brother was my donor. 26 years ago he was able to give me
the gift of life and it's just mind-blowing that I'm here now 26 years later representing my country. Like it's just mind-blowing but amazing."
Her fellow Corkonian, Pat O'Sullivan from Mallow, was the recipient of a kidney in 2015.
He also struck gold in Perth on the golf course.
Mr O’Sullivan said he ran the 100m final on Thursday as well.
"Pre-transplant I wouldn’t have been able to walk, I couldn't off the stairs, never mind run."
"That's what you can do with the gift of life, it's absolutely brilliant," he added.
While Tony Gartland, who was the first person to undergo a liver transplant in Ireland 30 years ago at St Vincent's Hospital in Dublin, took home bronze in the 5000m race walk event.
He said: "I wouldn't be here but for the generosity of my donor and my donor’s family."
Mr Gartland also said he "can never be grateful enough to the skill of the medical team at St Vincent’s Hospital for what they did."
"I'm just glad to be alive never mind anything else, all this is just a bonus."
The Chief Executive of the Irish Kidney Association has urged people to discuss organ donation.
Carol Moore said: "If you've been inspired by watching these wonderful athletes today, talk to your family about it and tell them what your wishes are."
She said even with the Human Tissue Bill, which will introduce a new opt-out system, "family consent is still required for an organ donation to proceed."
Ms Moore said: "It's just so, so important that your family know your decision in advance so they are not being put under pressure to make what is a difficult decision."
Colin White, the Team Ireland Manager and the IKA National Advocacy and Projects Manager said the athletes "just epitomise what can be achieved with organ donation".
"To the general public, the message is organ donation works, have the conversation, to those who are newly diagnosed with organ failure, I think the message is there is hope and there's a life post-transplant."
Mr White said the games are a big undertaking for those taking part because each of the athletes has funded their participation through fundraising.
He added: "Many do it as a way of saying thank you to their donor, I'm really grabbing life of both hands and look what I'm achieving."
