Northern Ireland

Growing pot of gold for athletes from the island of Ireland

The success of Daniel Wiffen, Jack McMillan and Hannah Scott adds to the gold medal tally

Having helped bring female boxing to the Olympic Games, Katie Taylor landed gold at London 2012. Picture by PA
Katie Taylor landed gold at London 2012. PICTURE: PA
By Suzanne McGonagle

In just 24 hours, three athletes from the island of Ireland secured gold at the Olympic Games in Paris.

The success of Daniel Wiffen, Jack McMillan and Hannah Scott adds to the pot of gold for athletes who compete for Team Ireland and Team GB.

PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 31: Lauren Henry, Hannah Scott, Lola Anderson and Georgina Brayshaw of Team Great Britain celebrate winning the gold medals after competing in the Rowing Women's Quadruple Sculls Final A on day five of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Vaires-Sur-Marne Nautical Stadium on July 31, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
Hannah Scott, left, from Coleraine won gold with team mates Lauren Henry, Lola Anderson and Georgina Brayshaw of Team Great Britain after competing in the Rowing Women's Quadruple Sculls final. PICTURE: FRANCOIS NEL/GETTY IMAGES

From boxing, athletics and rowing, here are athletes from across the island of Ireland who have previously struck gold.

  • Pat O’Callaghan - hammer throw - 1928 and 1932
  • Bob Tisdall - 400m hurdles - 1932
  • Ron Delany - 1,500m - 1956
  • Mary Peters - pentathlon - 1972
Dame Mary Peters won gold at the 1972 Olympics in Munich 
Lady Mary Peters won gold at the 1972 Olympics in Munich
  • Jimmy Kirkwood - hockey - 1988
  • Stephen Martin - hockey - 1988
Michael Carruth remains Ireland's only male boxing gold medallist, having reached the top of the podium at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992
Michael Carruth reached the top of the podium at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992
  • Michael Carruth - welterweight boxing - 1992
  • Michelle Smith - 200m & 400 swimming individual medley, 400m freestyle - 1996
Michelle Smith, pictured winning the Irish butterfly championships at Grove Centre of Excellence, Belfast, was named in the Irish team for the 1997 Euro Senior Championships.
Former swimmer Michelle Smith
  • Katie Taylor - lightweight boxing - 2012
Katie Taylor celebrates Saturday night's momentous victory over English rival Chantelle Cameron. Picture by PA
Bray-born boxer Katie Taylor. PICTURE: PA
  • Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy - lightweight double sculls - 2020
TOKYO, JAPAN
Gold medalists Fintan Mccarthy and Paul O'Donovan of Team Ireland pose with their medals in their boat after the Lightweight Men's Double Sculls Final A on day six of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. PICTURE: MAJA HITIJ/GETTY IMAGES
  • Kellie Harrington - lightweight boxing - 2020
Ireland’s Kellie Anne Harrington celebrates with her gold medal
Ireland’s Kellie Anne Harrington celebrating with her gold medal. PICTURE: ADAM DAVY/PA
  • Daniel Wiffin - 800m freestyle - 2024
Italy's Gregorio Paltrinieri, Ireland's Daniel Wiffin and USA's Bobby Finke pose with their medals after the Men's 800m Freestyle final at the Paris La Defense Arena on the fourth day of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in France. Picture date: Tuesday July 30, 2024. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: John Walton/PA Wire.
Ireland's Daniel Wiffin, centre, took home gold in the Men's 800m Freestyle final at the Paris La Defense Arena. PICTURE: JOHN WALTON/PA
  • Jack McMillan - 4x200m freestyle relay - 2024
  • Hannah Scott - women’s quadruple sculls - 2024