'You have made history': Olympic rowers inspiring next generation, ceremony hears

Taoiseach Micheál Martin led the tributes, stating that the team had succeeded in "bringing honour and glory to our country".

Gold medallists Paul O'Donovan, and Fintan McCarthy were congratulated tonight along with Eimear Lambe, Aifric Keogh, Fiona Murtagh, and Emily Hegarty at a ceremony in Cork for Ireland's Olympic rowers.  Picture: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Ireland's Olympic rowers have been hailed for their achievements in Tokyo and for inspiring the next generation, with an event held in their honour hearing that their success has pushed dreams of eight to 10 medals by the 2028 Games.

At the National Rowing Centre in Farran, Co Cork, by the banks of the River Lee, gold medallists Paul O'Donovan and Fintan McCarthy, and the bronze medal-winning quartet of Eimear Lambe, Aifric Keogh, Fiona Murtagh and Emily Hegarty, were joined by other members of the Olympic team as the Irish rowing community paid tribute to their efforts in the Games.