A civic reception has been held this evening in recognition of the achievements of Louth sport stars Kate O'Connor and Eve McCrystal.
The pair of Dundalk athletes each received their civic honour scroll and signed the roll of honour during the reception held at county hall this evening.
Previous people to have received the honour include President Michael D Higgins, current Irish Ambassador to the United States Geraldine Byrne Nason, and the former Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, the late Seamus Mallon, who was remembered tonight on the anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.
Louth County Council said this evening’s event was organised to recognise the extraordinary accomplishments of two of the county’s most celebrated athletes, who have proudly represented Louth and Ireland on the global stage.
Both O'Connor and McCrystal said they were deeply honoured by the council’s decision and overwhelmed by the support they have received from the local community.
Following the civic reception in Dundalk this evening, McCrystal announced her official retirement from international cycling.
Speaking to RTÉ News, the 46-year-old from Dundalk said: "I’m getting married next month and that’s really what is happening in my head right now but I still enjoy sport and I would love to try something different.
"I’m doing a bit of running and I’m back to work. I’m absolutely loving work. So right now, I don’t know what I’m doing but I’m happy not knowing what I’m doing."
McCrystal, who works as a community garda, has won several gold medals at Paralympic Games and World Championships competing in the Women’s Tandem events as pilot on both the road and track.
A glittering partnership between the McCrystal and para cyclist Katie-George Dunlevy came to an end last September by the pair winning the silver medal in the women’s B 3000m individual pursuit at the Paralympic Games in Paris.
Before the celebrations this evening, O’Connor spent the day visiting her alma mater, CBS Primary School in Dundalk, where her father and coach is a teacher.
The 24-year-old heptathlete and pentathlete met the more than 500 pupils who attend the school and was also on hand to open the school's new autism classroom.
O’Connor last month took home the first Irish medal from the World Indoor Championships in 19 years, posting three personal bests in the five-discipline event to claim second spot on the podium in Nanjing, China.
She also made history last year when she became Ireland’s first Olympic heptathlete and Louth’s first female track and field Olympian at the games in Paris.
Having risen up through the ranks at St Gerard’s Athletic Club in Dundalk, she has also gone on to claim medals at the European U20 Championships and Commonwealth Games.
Speaking during the reception this evening, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Councillor Kevin Callan reflected on the significance of both O’Connor and McCrystal receiving such a civic honour.
"It is actually something that I want to emphasise here this evening, that civic honours like these are actually set down in Irish law. So that is how serious this evening is and it takes an awful lot of consideration for us to make this decision.
"Tonight, as an elected council, we are bestowing an honour upon both of you, but you are doing us an honour in accepting it."
Meanwhile, the Cathaoirleach of Dundalk Municipal District, Councillor Seán Kelly said both O’Connor and McCrystal’s achievements were "nothing short of inspiration."
He went on to say that what the pair had done to promote their sport, not only within Louth but also nationally, has shown future generations that nothing is impossible.
Mr Kelly also told those gathered at county hall for the civic reception that the long-awaited new athletics track in Dundalk should be open before the end of the year.
"The good news about the track, hot of the press, is that the letter of intent has been issued to the preferred tender. The contractors will be on site by the end of the month and 400-metre eight-lane track with shotput, long jump and javelin areas will open in quarter three of this year."
