Paralympics Rio 2016

Ireland’s Paralympians have been welcomed home following their successes at the Rio Games.

Crowds gathered at Dublin Airport on Wednesday afternoon cheer on the athletes as they arrived.

Among them were Glengormley man Michael McKillop and Eglinton sprinter Jason Smyth, both of whom won gold in Rio.

The Irish team exceeded all expectations at the Games, bringing back a total of four gold, four silver and three bronze medals.

• WATCH: UTV's Bernard O'Toole reports on the homecoming in Dublin

Bethany Firth has said that she has been overwhelmed by the welcome home she received to NI on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old arrived home to George Best City Airport from the Rio Paralympics with four very important items to declare – her haul of three gold and one silver medals.

And there was one visitor particularly delighted to see her, her little dog Russell.

“I never thought I would get this response when I got home, it’s overwhelming – and I’m really just so thankful for everyone’s support," she said.

“They really brought a little bit of Northern Ireland to Rio for me, and that’s exactly what I needed when I was over there.

“All my races went really well, better than planned, and that made all the hard work and the early mornings worth it.

“I couldn’t have done it without all the support, from my family, and everyone else who was with me over the past few years. Their help got me where I am today.

“Now it will be great to be able to spend some time with my family.”

TV and film star Kim Cattrall has congratulated Bethany Firth on her Paralympics medal haul.

The situation came about as the Sex and the City star arrived into George Best City Airport at the same time as the Seaforde swimmer on Tuesday.

Cattrall seemed more than happy that the limelight fell to Firth and said that it was an “honour” to meet her.

The Hollywood A-lister is appearing as a panellist at the Aspects Festival in Bangor alongside Van Morrison on Wednesday night.

Triple gold-winning paralympian Bethany Firth has arrived back in Belfast after returning from a record-breaking Rio games for Team GB.

The Co Down swimmer won gold medals in 100m backstroke, 200m freestyle and 200m individual medley alongside a silver medal in the 100m breaststroke.

Her four medal haul makes her Team GB's most decorated medallist at the games.

The Queen has sent a message congratulating the GB Paralympics team following their success at the Games in Rio.

The team are returning home on Tuesday with a haul of 147 medals, including 64 golds, the most by a British team since 1988.

"As the 2016 Paralympic Games draw to a close, I offer my warmest congratulations to the athletes of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and indeed to the athletes of all Commonwealth countries, for their many successes in Rio de Janeiro,” said The Queen.

"The magnificent performance of ParalympicsGB this year reflects the talent and commitment of the athletes and their support teams.

Bethany Firth racked up her third medal at the Rio Paralympics on Wednesday night.

The Seaforde swimmer came in just behind Spanish swimmer Michelle Alonso Morales in the 100m breaststroke.

It adds to the two gold medals she has already won at the Games.

The 20-year-old has one more event on Sunday, the 200m Individual Medley.

Bethany Firth added a second gold medal to her collection in Rio as she won the S14 200m Freestyle at the Paralympics.

The swimmer, from Seaforde, Co Down, powered home in 2.03.30 on Sunday night, which set a new Paralympics record.

She finished ahead of the previous champion and Team GB team-mate Jessica-Jane Applegate, and Dutch athlete Marlou Van Der Kulk.

The 20-year-old had already won gold in the 100m event on Friday.

She will seek to further add to her medal haul in the 100m breaststroke and 200m medley events.

Glengormley athlete Michael McKillop has clinched his fourth Paralympic gold after he stormed to victory in the T37 1500m metres in Rio on Sunday.

The runner’s success came after setbacks in his training due to problems with his iron levels.

He didn’t have the best of starts but he was comfortable in second place after the first lap.

In the second half of the race, McKillop began to show his class, getting his nose in front despite being closely monitored by Canadian athlete Liam Stanley.

Stanley stayed on Mckillop's heels for as long as he could, but the defending champion simply had too much over the closing straight as he surged to victory in a time of 4:12.11.

It’s a fourth Paralympic gold for McKillop and the third gold medal for Northern Ireland’s competitors.