Kellie Harrington to get special homecoming in Dublin – just metres from her home

It has been confirmed that the local event is being organised by Dublin City Council and the North East Inner City Initiative next Monday between 7-9pm on Killarney Street, Dublin 1.

The location is just a stone’s throw from Kellie’s home on Portland Row.

The boxing champion previously said she wanted to walk down the street of her hometown instead of an open-top bus as per the victory ceremony she enjoyed after winning her first gold medal in Tokyo in 2020.

And now it seems she will get her wish as it’s understood a stage will be erected for the event and Kellie will walk from the corner of Gardiner St up Sean MacDermott Street onto Killarney street.

Dance and singing groups from the area are also expected to be involved in Monday’s homecoming.

Local Cllr Niall Ring said: "The whole community is still buzzing following Kellie's brilliant achievement and we will give her the homecoming she deserves on Monday evening."

Dublin City Council said in a statement: “Dublin City Council and The North East Inner City Initiative are delighted to invite Kellie Harrington fans from near and far, to join them for the official homecoming of local hero and back-to-back Olympic Gold Medal Champion, Kellie Harrington, as she makes her triumphant, official return home to her beloved Portland Row and wider Dublin 1 area. The local community has been fierce in its support of Kellie throughout her Olympic campaign, coming out in force to cheer her on in Diamond Park, through each of her inspirational bouts.

“Following on from these recent screenings of Kellie’s road to victory at the Paris Olympic Games, it’s only fitting that Dublin 1 is once again the venue for what’s set to be a hugely exciting night, giving the superstar the hero’s welcome that she deserves, as the pride of both her own area of Dublin and the whole of the nation after her history making win.

The event will commence at 7pm as Kellie makes her way down Sean McDermott Street from Diamond Park, towards The Five Lamps accompanied by the Dublin Fire Brigade Pipe Band, before taking the stage at Killarney Street. From there, the two-time Olympic Champion will greet awaiting fans who will also be treated to a performance from Sheriff Street vocalist Gemma Dunleavy before hearing from Kellie herself and re-living the magic of Paris 2024.

“It’s set to be an amazing event and one that’s extremely well attended so guests are advised to get there early to avoid disappointment.”

In order to accommodate the event, Killarney Street in Dublin 1 will be closed to traffic and there will be no parking on Sean McDermott Street from 10am - 10pm on Monday.

The nation came to a standstill on Tuesday night as she took to the ring and put on a clinical performance to win her second gold medal and Ireland's fourth of the week.

Taoiseach Simon Harris led the tributes to the Dublin boxer, saying the country “could not be prouder of you”.

"We are not only proud of you for becoming a double Olympic champion, but for how you carry yourself as a person and represent our country with distinction,” he said.

Diamond Park in the north inner city was bursting with excitement as a huge crowd watched Harrington take on China’s Wenlu Yang in the women’s 60kg final.

It comes following last night’s announcement that Ireland’s Olympic heroes will be welcomed back with a homecoming ceremony in Dublin city following their record-breaking success in Paris.

Members of the public are being invited to a special ceremony for the Irish athletes in front of the GPO on O’Connell Street.

The ceremony will take place next Monday, August 12 at 12.30pm hours before Kellie’s own homecoming takes place in the north inner city.

Monday’s event will be free, with no tickets required.

Huge crowds are expected to gather on O’Connell Street to cheer on the athletes.

This is the first time an Irish Olympic team will received a civic reception on their return home and the event has been planned in conjunction with the Olympic Federation of Ireland and Dublin City Council.