President Michael D Higgins has congratulated back-to-back Olympic champion Kellie Harrington after she won gold in the women's 60kg final at Paris 2024, defeating China's Wenlu Yang.
President Higgins said her win is a "truly remarkable achievement by a phenomenal sportsperson".
It marks a record fourth gold medal at a single Olympics for Team Ireland, following on from Daniel Wiffen, Rhys McClenaghan and rowers Paul O'Donovan and Fintan McCarthy claiming gold medals in Paris.
Harrington's win also officially confirmed a record-breaking seven medals from a single Games for Ireland.
Taoiseach Simon Harris said Harrington's success has "lifted the mood of the nation".
"People are absolutely ecstatic. She's lifted the mood of the nation. She has proven herself to be an unrivaled champion. She's a legend, she's an icon.
"She's an inspiration to many, many, many young people in her own community, but right across right across Ireland," he said.
The Taoiseach also took time to praise the wider achievements of the 133 athletes in Ireland's Olympic team, saying they "have just done us so proud".
Tánaiste Micheál Martin called Harrington's performance a "boxing masterclass".
Posting on X, Mr Martin added that the two-time Olympic champion had "filled Irish hearts with pride again this week".
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Simply magnificent Kellie Harrington, back-to-back Olympic champion!
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) August 6, 2024
That was a boxing masterclass against a formidable rival.
You filled Irish hearts with pride again this week. An inspiration.
Minister for Sport Catherine Martin also congratulated her and called Harrington a "magnificent fighter".
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald meanwhile celebrated the Olympic champion, referring to Harrington as "the pride of Dublin's north inner city."
Following the match, Harrington insisted she retired from boxing.
"That's the last hurrah, I'm done," she told RTÉ Sport.
"I've always said I want to retire a champion. That's it. Let me just say it once again, Bob's your uncle, Fanny's your aunt, good night Irene'."
A jubilant Harrington said her pre-fight plan was to "just be happy - happy, smile and enjoy it."
Reflecting further on what her medal meant to her community and the country as a whole, the 34-year-old added: "It just gives hope. All these young kids all these teenagers, it give hope to them, it gives hope to the people of Ireland, that's what it means. But this one was for me."
