There were celebrations in Skibbereen last night as Olympic gold medallists Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy, and bronze medallist Emily Hegarty, arrived back home yesterday.
Celebrations had to remain low-key due to Covid restrictions,
But Violet Hayes, Chairperson of Skibbereen Rowing Club, says the people of West Cork turned out to show their pride in the athletes:
"All the athletes are safely home. They haven't seen their families for over seven weeks. Now there were the traditional West Cork bonfires at various crossroads or junctions. Nothing like one sees on the television. Just a welcome home. I think it's something like a beacon of light just to say look, you did great, we're all gathered around you, you're bringing the light to us and we're bringing the light back to you. And their gold and bronze medals are certainly twinkling in West Cork today."
