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Government hosts reception for Irish Paralympic Team

The Irish Paralympic Team at Farmleigh House today with Taoiseach Enda Kenny and members of the Government

Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore and Transport, Tourism & Sport Minister Leo Varadkar today hosted a reception to welcome home the Irish Paralympic Team at Farmleigh House, Dublin.

Speaking at the reception, the Taoiseach said:

Above all this whole magnificent adventure has been about your ability to shine among the world’s best sportsmen and sportswomen.

16 medals.

Eight Gold

Three Silver

Five Bronze

Every one of them a testament to the discipline the courage the faith the confidence not just of those who brought those medals home but a testament to the entire paralympic team their families their trainers their supporters.

But in the end the medals, the world records and the personal bests are just one part of what it is to put on the Green and go and represent our country our nation with all our hopes our dreams our aspirations.

The Tánaiste said:

It is fitting that Michael McKillop, an athlete who dedicates time to helping and encouraging thousands of school children, and who believes that all paralympians shoud serve as role models for the next generation, should win an award for embodying the best spirit of the paralympic games. (Michael was one of 2 winners of the Whanf Youn Dai award). Well done Michael!

I would also like to express my thanks, and to congratulate Paralympics Ireland. Without your tireless efforts, we may not have been celebrating today...

I was impressed when I heard that we came 19th on the medal table, out of 164 countries. This proves once again that as a small nation we continue to punch above our weight!

Read the Taoiseach's full speech here.

Read the Tánaiste's full speech here.