Paralympians welcomed to Áras

A dog named Quartz and a former student of President Michael D Higgins were among the convivial crowd of paralympic athletes and their supporters welcomed to Áras An Uachtaráin today.

Mr Higgins described the team's 16 medal as an "extraordinary achievement" but said participation was more than medals, it was an acknowledgement of the "special qualities that mark out those who are not only very gifted but people of courage, of determination, of perseverance in the case of challenges, difficulties and sometimes setbacks".

Each of the 37 athletes present and their family members were greeted individually by Mr Higgins and his wife Sabina.

To Mr Higgins's surprise, table-tennis player Rena McCarron Rooney, noted that she had been a student of the president some 30 years ago when he lectured at in NUI Galway as part of the Soc and Pol course.

Elsewhere, much attention was garnered by the shiny black coat of Quartz, athlete Nadine Lattimore's guide dog, as they were greeted by the President.

The paralympians were "citizens we can be very proud of" President Higgins said in a speech. These citizens had "important qualities that our country so badly needs at this current time as we seek to rebuild our confidence and our international image," he said.

None looked so proud as seven-year-old Calum Wayland who was held by his mother, discus silver medalist Catherine O'Neill, as she was praised by Mr Higgins for working "tirelessly to promote disability sport in her local community" .

Speaking after the event, Ms O'Neill said she was adjusting to her life as a busy medallist, among the many events were taking the medal to her son's school and opening a park in New Ross.

"It's great to get the recognition" Ms O'Neill said of today's event.

In his speech Mr Higgins said it was hard to believe that it was the first Paralympic Games for triple equestrian medal winner Helen Kearney. "Look at that", he remarked as he lifted the three medals.

Paralympics Ireland chief executive Liam Harbison noted the achievements of Irish presidents in building bridges with the United Kingdom had been felt at the games.

"The support not only from the Irish people, but especially the British people, is a testament to the work of your predecessors and you are carrying on today," he told Mr Higgins in a speech today.