Ireland's hockey World Cup final clash with the Netherlands was watched by a peak of 439,100 people, RTÉ's highest viewing figures for a sporting event outside GAA, rugby or soccer since Katie Taylor's 2012 Olympic triumph.
An average of 381,500 tuned in throughout the coverage on RTÉ2, for a 41% audience share.
Meanwhile, Ireland have risen eight places in the world rankings on the back of their exploits. The Green Army entered the tournament ranked 16th globally and ahead of only Italy (17th) of the teams that made it to England.
Ireland had narrowly missed out on Olympic qualification for Rio and were not favoured to progress from Pool B but they beat the United States (7th) and India (10th) to advance as winners ahead of the hosts.
Victories over India, again, and Spain followed in the knockout stages as goalkeeper of the tournament Ayeisha McFerran excelled in successive shootouts.
In the end, Ireland were only denied the World Cup trophy by the top-ranked Netherlands, who retain the No 1 spot they have held since 2011.
The world silver-medallists, who returned home to a hero's welcome on Monday, are now up to eighth, six places higher than their previous best mark.
England remain second, with Australia third. Bronze medallists Spain are up to seventh.
