PRESIDENT MARY McAleese and Taoiseach Brian Cowen have led the congratulatory messages to golfer Pádraig Harrington on his winning of the USPGA Championship.
President McAleese described Harrington's victory as a fantastic achievement, saying "the whole country is immensely proud of him".
Mr Cowen congratulated the golfer on his "incredible" win of back-to-back majors. "To become the first Irishman to win a major in the US ensures his place in sporting history and legend," he said. He added that Harrington was undoubtedly one of the greatest talents this country has produced.
Minister for Sport Martin Cullen said in Beijing that Harrington's accomplishment was an inspiration and an outstanding personal achievement. "Harrington is a sportsman who has honed his talent to achieve true greatness and he is clearly Ireland's greatest-ever sportsman," he said.
Fine Gael Leader Enda Kenny also congratulated Harrington on his "magnificent victory", saying he was now a global sporting hero and an outstanding role model.
"Pádraig deserves to be considered worthy of the freedom of his native city," Mr Kenny said.
Labour Party spokeswoman on sport Dr Mary Upton said: "To win two majors in succession and three within the space of 13 months is a truly remarkable performance that must rank among the outstanding achievements of any Irish sports star".
She said the tourist authorities should examine ways in which Harrington's achievements could be used to attract greater numbers of golf tourists here.
The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) also extended its congratulations to the golfer, calling him an inspiration to sportsmen and women throughout Ireland.
A GPA spokesman said: "Pádraig is always willing to lend his support and time to grassroots sport and charities in Ireland," despite having achieved unrivalled success for an Irishman on the world stage.
Harrington followed his British Open success with a two-shot win over Sergio Garcia and Ben Curtis in Oakland Hills, Michigan, on Sunday night, making him the first European to record consecutive major wins. Harrington is also the first European to win the USPGA Championship since Scotland's Tommy Armour in 1930.