The North inner City came to a standstill on Monday, August 12, as the local community and supporters from all over Ireland came to Portland Row and Killarney Street to welcome Kellie Harrington home.
Double Olympic Champion Kellie was moved to tears as she walked along the streets where she grew up, taking it all in.
Kellie on Kilkenny St. Photo Julien Behal
Addressing the adoring crowd, she said she hoped her success would inspire others.
“This just means the world to me,” she said.
“I just want to say thank you to absolutely every one of you for all the support.
“I just hope that all the kids, teenagers and young adults have seen that hard work and dedication, the highs and the many lows.
“It gives you the heart and the grit to understand that we can do anything we set our minds to.
“But you have to work for it, and you have to work hard.
“I love you all, you’re all legends.”
The local community has been staunch in its support of Kellie throughout her Olympic campaign, coming out in force to cheer her on in Diamond Park through each of her fights.
Following on from these recent screenings of Kellie’s road to victory at the Paris Olympic Games, it was only fitting that Dublin 1 was once again the venue for a hugely emotional night.
Everyone at the homecoming wanted to give Kellie the hero’s welcome that she deserves.
The event started at 7pm as Kellie made her way down Sean McDermott Street from Diamond Park, towards The Five Lamps accompanied by the Dublin Fire Brigade Pipe Band, before she took the stage at Killarney Street.
From there, the two-time Olympic Champion greeted awaiting fans who were also treated to a performance from Sheriff Street vocalist Gemma Dunleavy before hearing from Kellie herself and re-living the magic of Paris 2024.
Picture credit: Julien Behal.
Speaking at the event, family friend and local councillor Nial Ring, told Northside People that the outpouring of love for Kellie had to “be seen to be believed.”
“It was no surprise that the whole area was thronged with wellwishers, all wanting a glimpse of Ireland’s only female double Olympic Champion” he said.
“The plan was for Kellie to walk up Sean McDermott Street and Killarney Street up to the stage but, such was the crowd, it was decided to bring her up Buckingham Street by car and down her beloved Portland Row and onto the stage from the Five Lamps end of the Street.
“The atmosphere was incredible and the outpouring of appreciation, gratitude and pure love for Kellie had to be witnessed to be believed.
“Her amazing and unique achievement in winning back to back Gold medals for her country, while keeping her feet firmly on the ground have ensured Kellie will always be held as one of our greatest, if not the greatest, sportsperson this country has ever produced.
“We are out of superlatives to describe Kellie and her achievements but what we can and will do here in the North Inner City tonight is to continue the party and raise a glass (or two) in thanks to and appreciation of our very own local hero, legend and champion Kellie Harrington” he concluded.
“Bob’s your uncle, Fanny’s your aunt- goodnight Irene” Kellie’s parting words – how apt!”
Kellie, right, with from left, Olympic Federation of Ireland Commercial Director Catherine Tiernan, Lord Mayor of Dublin James Geoghegan and Team Ireland’s Boxing Head Coach Zaur Antia pictured on O’Connell Street celebrating Team Ireland’s remarkable achievements at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Picture credit: Conor McCabe
Kellie’s homecoming followed an earlier celebration on Monday for the whole Olympic team on O’Connell Street where more than 20,000 cheering fans welcomed the athletes home after the country’s most successful medal haul ever.
64 women and 69 men represented Team Ireland across 14 sports at the Paris Games, winning four gold medals and three bronze.