Mona McSharry's mother has said seeing her daughter win a bronze medal for Ireland in the 100m breaststroke at the Paris 2024 Olympics was "a fantastic moment".
Competing in her second Olympic final, the Sligo swimmer touched out third by the very slimmest of margins, beating Italy's Benedetta Pilato and world record holder and 2016 champion Lilly King of the United States both by 0.01 of a second in a time of 1:05.59.
South Africa's Tatjana Smith took gold in 1:05.28, with China's Qiantang Tang second in 1:05.54
"It was just such a fantastic moment for all of us and to be there for it, really it is something else," Viola McSharry said.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland from Paris, the Olympian's mother said they are "so proud" of her achievement.
"If you look back at the scoreboard and see how tight it was...it was just...it could have gone anyway for the girls that were swimming there," she said.
"The Irish people are really, really good at supporting their own...last night we felt that," Viola added.
Speaking in her home village of Grange following the final, Mona's grandfather Patrick McSharry said: "We’re so proud of her and all the hard work she put in over the years, many a hard morning in the frost and snow she went swimming, so all here in Grange is so proud."
Watch: Celebrations in Sligo as Mona McSharry wins Olympic medal
"If I could give her a message right now I would give her a big hug and tell her how proud I am," he added.
The Taoiseach spoke with Mona McSharry this afternoon where he offered her his congratulations.
In a statement, Mr Harris said Mona "had inspired the whole country last night and, of course, a whole generation of young girls and boys".
Her family had gathered at her grandparents' house to watch the race last night.
As the celebrations took place, neighbours, friends and local media descended on the McSharry household.
Her aunt Patricia Doonan said she was a "really proud auntie".
"I am just elated, I feel like I did the swim myself. I'm just so delighted for her, it's amazing, such an achievement.
"She's dreamed of this since she was a little girl. But, you know, we hear these things being said, and just the reality of it is just so much more amazing. We're so proud, she's just our hero," she said.
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Mona’s cousins said she is an inspiration to people their age and anyone across Ireland and the world.
This is one of the many accolades the swimmer has but it is probably the one that is "really special" to her because the Olympics was always her dream, according to her uncle John McSharry.
"What’s really special about Mona has achieved is that she started swimming in a 25m pool and in that time maybe over ten or 12 years she managed to become the European Junior Champion and the World Junior Champion out of a 25m pool, so it’s just astonishing what she’s achieved.
"I think she has gut determination and resilience and I’m very, very proud of everything she’s achieved, so well done Mona," he said.
Meanwhile around 30km away in Ballyshannon, where Mona used to train with Marlins Swimming Club, members watched the race at the Aodh Ruadh GAA club.
There was a party atmosphere with live music and children cheering her name with pompoms long after the race was over.
Marlins treasurer Karen Summerville conveyed how thrilled everyone was for Mona.
"As somebody said earlier it’s like winning the Lotto and to think that we have an Olympic medalist from our little pond here in Ballyshannon.
"It’s just incredible and it has taken years of sacrifice. We’re so privileged here in Marlin's to have been on that journey with her," Ms Summerville said.
Mona McSharry's fellow Grange native Chris O'Donnell is also taking part in the Games in Paris.
The sprinter already tasted success this year when he was part of the Irish mixed 4x400m relay team that won gold at the European Championships in May, where he ran the opening leg.
The small village of Grange has a population of around 700 to 800 people.
