Ireland has been represented at the Summer Olympics since 1924. The Olympic Council of Ireland was set up in 1922 to coordinate and run Irish involvement.
In events prior to 1924, Ireland was part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and Irish athletes competed as part of the British team. This meant that Irish athletes at those earlier Games were counted as British.
Irish athletes have also won events representing the USA, Canada and South Africa, the Irish Whales being prime examples. This group of Irish–Americans dominated the weight-throwing categories during the first two decades of the 20th century.
Before the 1906 Games, National Olympic committees weren’t in operation and individuals entered independently.
During this period, Ireland had some notable success. John Pius Boland came first in two tennis events in 1896. Tom Kiely won the all-around competition at the 1904 Olympics in St Louis.
At the 1908 Games in London, Ireland finished second in the hockey tournament behind England. At the same Games, the Irish polo team finished second, out of three teams.
In total, Ireland have won 27 medals at the Summer Olympic Games. Twenty-four medals have been collected for sport, three for art contests.
Ireland’s three medals for art contests came at the 1924 and 1948 Games. Jack Butler Yeats won silver in paintings in 1924, Oliver St John Gogarty won bronze at the same Games in literature. Letitia Hamilton won bronze at the 1948 Games in paintings.
Ireland’s 24 medals in sport have come in four different disciplines: athletics, swimming, boxing and sailing.
Boxing is where Ireland have won the most medals with 12, one gold, four silver, and seven bronze.
However, athletics is where Ireland have won most gold medals, with four top honours being secured in the discipline, as well as two silver.
Michelle Smith won all of Ireland’s swimming medals at the Atlanta Games: three golds and a bronze.
The final medals were two silver sailing medals won by David Wilkins and James Wilkinson in the Flying Dutchman class at the 1980 Moscow Games.
Ireland’s most successful Olympics in terms of medal haul was the 1956 Melbourne Games, where the team took home five medals.
Written by: Tadhg Peavoy
Edited by: Tom Hunt
