Ireland’s New World Champions Receive a Heroes’ Welcome Home

Friends and family rowed into Cork Airport to welcome Ireland’s newest world champions, Zoe Hyde and Margaret Cremen, home from the World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam. The pair won gold in the women’s double sculls, while Fiona Murtagh returned with silver in the women’s single sculls.

“

very, very proud

The reception celebrated a remarkable week for Irish rowing. Cremen also won silver with Konan Pazzaia in the mixed double sculls, and Murtagh added her own silver medal. Hyde and Cremen row for Tralee Rowing Club in County Kerry and Lee Rowing Club in County Cork.

Declan Cremen, Margaret’s father, said he was “very, very proud” and praised the athletes for their hard work and persistence. Hyde’s mother, Fiona, described her daughter’s career as a “tumultuous journey” with many more setbacks than successes, but said the achievements outweighed them.

“

It's amazing. It's such a fantastic achievement and so delighted to have her here with her medal and a dream come true

The welcome marked a striking change from the athletes’ usual return home. “Usually, we come back and we’re just trying to get a taxi, so this is unbelievable to have such a warm welcome, and we’re grateful,” Hyde said. She added that the victory had brought “pinch me” moments and that achieving their lifetime dream still felt surreal.

“

Usually, we come back and we're just trying to get a taxi, so this is unbelievable to have such a warm welcome, and we're grateful

The rowers now have next year’s World Championships in Lucerne, Switzerland, in their sights, with Olympic qualification at stake. Murtagh said the achievement reflected a long journey and the support of many people, while Cremen said seeing family and friends in club gear made the celebration especially meaningful.

“

It was such a wonderful race and they did so well and I'm really proud of them. I cried at the end