2. Ireland first competed at the Olympic Games in 1924 as the Irish Free State. Prior to this, Irish athletes competed as part of Great Britain.

3. Pat O'Callaghan Bob Tisdall Ronald Delaney Michael Carruth Michelle Smith Sonia O'Sullivan John Treacy

4. Born in Co. Cork on the 15 th September 1905 Died on the 1st December 1991 Olympic Gold Medalist in 1928 – The Shot Putt He was the first person from an independent Ireland to win an Olympic medal and is regarded as one of Ireland's greatest-ever athletes This was the first time the Irish Tricolour was raised and Amhrán na bhFiann was played.

5. Born in Sri Lanka on the 16 th May 1907 Died in Australia on the 27 th July 2004 Raised in Tipperary Olympic Gold Medalist in 1932 – 400m Hurdles World record time of 51.7 seconds, which was not recognised because he had a hit a hurdle Later rules were changed and his record was recognised

6. Born in Co. Wicklow on the 6 th March 1935 Olympic Gold Medalist in 1956 – The mile (1500m) Delaney became the first Irishman to win an Olympic title in athletics since Bob Tisdall in 1932.

7. Born in Dublin on the 9th July 1967 Olympic Gold Medalist in 1992 - Boxing

8. Born in County Dublin on the 16th December 1969 3 time Olympic Gold Medalist in 1996 – Swimming Significant controversy followed these victories Smith later received a four- year suspension in 1998 after being found guilty of tampering with a urine sample. This ban effectively ended her career.

9. Born in Cork on the 28 th November 1969 She was one of the world's leading female 5000m runners for most of the 1990s and early 2000s Gold Medalist in the 5000m at the 1995 Athletics Championships Olympic Silver Medalist in 2000 – 1500m

10. Born in Waterford on the 4 th June 1957 Olympic Silver Medalist in 1984 – Marathon Waterford’s most successful athlete