Paris 2024: The Small Country that Attracts Big Support - what's happening at the Team Ireland House?
As Irish athletes are making history at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, their fans have gathered to celebrate them in true Irish fashion. The Team Irish House – the only Club House that doubles as a pub – has been a green, white and orange haven for fans across the world to cheer on their home country from 600 miles away. On Saturday night, gold medalist gymnast Rhys McClenaghan was among the athletes that joined to share in their good news with fans at O'Sullivans by the Mill.
The Club House has been buzzing since the beginning of the Games, but Saturday's gold medal win for Ireland in the men's pommel horse along with Kellie Harrington's advance to the gold-medal match, lit a fire of fun to the crowds that will probably linger for a long time to come.
Cheering on the athletes is made easy with TV screens at every corner of the room. You can watch the games and relish in the irish stereotype with a selection of Irish and international beers on tap, as well as bar food available to order.
If you want to take it one step further, the above can all be done whilst wearing the official Irish Olympic kit, available for purchase on site.
"This place is fantastic. The atmosphere, the people, the Guinness! – it's almost like we're in Ireland."
Alberto, who travelled from Brazil to watch the Games, has landed himself a semi-permanent stool at the Club House as a true fan of all things Irish. "My wife is Irish, my kids are Irish, so Ireland is in my heart. Coming to an Irish pub for me is the tops and this place is fantastic," he said.
The atmosphere here on a weekday is nothing short of a Saturday night in Temple Bar. Alex Van Hooredeke – a bartender at O'Sullivans – has been working throughout the duration of the Games and says the atmosphere is buzzing at night time.
"It's been really busy here and the atmosphere is good. It's mostly Irish supporters who come during the day time but at night, it's full of people from everywhere, he said.
"There's an Irish band live at 10:30PM most nights, and DJ sets in the nightclub area too so people love that." he added.
The list of acts to appear at the Team Ireland house is under wraps for now, but you can expect to see some household names such as the Coronas, and irish bands fill the place with melodies of the green frelds.
Along with special guest appearances from musicians, you'll also get the chance to meet with Irish Olympian athletes past and present. Swimmers Conor Ferguson and Max McCusker (pictured above) met with family and friends at the Team Ireland House after they competed in the 4x100m medley relay on Saturday morning.
"It's nice for the athletes to get out of the village and meet their families. Everyone's relaxed here it's great to see." said Christina, a supporter of the two men.
Things have started to amp up here and the electricity of Irish crowds rose to a new high when the country took their third gold medal in the Games. The place began to swarm with people shortly after 7PM (entries from this time onwards are ticketed only and priced at €25).
As spirits raised in the glory of the Games, they were elevated once again upon the arrival of Olympic champion gymnast Rhys McClenaghan.
He took to the stage at the pubs designated *even more fun* zone 'Backstage' area with past Olympian Greg O'Shea shortly after 11PM. Kitted with VIP areas for athletes and families – you'll be sure to catch a glimpse of some of your favourite sportspeople here.
However, you don't have to be a VIP to rub shoulders with these athletes as many are just roaming around with family and friends throughout the entire bar.
Open to all until the end of the Games, and throughout the Paralympic Games too, the Team Ireland house is the place to be for some fun, food and Irishness.