President Mary McAleese has extended her best wishes to the 54 Irish athletes competing in the Bejing Olympic Games.
"The years of training, sacrifice and competition, all relentlessly focused on this moment, have earned you this ticket to compete in the most prestigious sporting competition in the world," the President said.
"As you step out into the arena, we, your families and supporters back home, will be following your progress intently, spurring you on, sharing your achievements with pride and admiration as you reap the rewards of your dedication to this dream."
"Good luck to all - participants, coaches, and managers. May you perform to your very utmost potential over the coming Games," she added.
The Taoiseach also sent his best wishes. In a message to Ireland's Olympians, Brian Cowen said: “Competing for Ireland at the Olympics is an achievement of great distinction. It takes years of hard work and dedication just to participate in the Games.
“I want to congratulate every member of Team Ireland on their personal achievement in qualifying for the Beijing Games. I know they will do themselves and their country proud.”
He continued: “The challenges for our athletes in the weeks ahead cannot be underestimated but I know they will rise to meet them. I want to wish all the athletes the very best of luck in Beijing. As our sporting ambassadors, they will represent our country with pride and honour."
Mr Cowen said the country has a distinguished history of Olympic participation and notable successes, which stand out in the collective memory of the Irish people.
A member of the Irish sailing team carried the tricolour at the opening ceremony. Malahide woman Ciara Peelo (28) was among the 204 flag bearers representing each country.
More than 100 Chinese students based in Northern Ireland gathered to watch the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics at a special event today. The University of Ulster (UU) hosted a reception for the young people at its Jordanstown campus outside Belfast. The facility has been identified as a potential training camp for international athletes ahead of the 2012 games in London.
Meanwhile, in Dublin, a candlelit vigil will be staged outside the Chinese embassy to coincide with the opening of the Games.
The Young Greens said it is holding the event on Merrion Road, Dublin 4, to highlight the failure of the Chinese government to address human rights issues in the run up to the Games.
The youth section of the Green Party also called on people to join them in remembering members of the Falun Gong community, the Tibetan community, political activists and those imprisoned by the Chinese regime.
Elsewhere, about 100 Karen people who recently arrived in Ireland from refugee camps on the Thai-Burma border and have resettled in Ballina and Castlebar, Co Mayo, will take part in a service in Dublin. The global day of action has been called by Burma campaigners to mark the 20th anniversary of the Burma massacre.
The solidarity group Burma Action Ireland will hold an hour-long commemorative event on O’Connell Street from noon.
PA