“It is a unique milestone in the history of the Olympic movement in Ireland being the first time that it has acquired its own dedicated premises,” the minister said.

“It is fitting that the OCI now has this splendid and well located headquarters, of which we all can be proud, to serve as its permanent home and to assist it in meeting the many challenges which face it both within the country and as a key member of the Olympic movement.”

Opening the new centre today in Howth, north Dublin, the minister said he hoped it would keep up Ireland’s proud tradition in the games.

Irish athletes have brought Olympic medals back from 19 of the modern games with a number of memorable victories including John Delany’s glorious burst of speed to take 1,500m gold in Melbourne 1956.

Politics was also thrown onto the sporting stage in 1906 when two Irish athletes rebelled against claims they were British at the Intercalated Games, held in Athens in-between the official games.

Peter O’Connor and Con Leahy won gold but protested against representing Britain by raising the Irish flag to the top of the 200 foot mast dominating the stadium.

In more recent years boxers Michael Carruth and Wayne McCullough brought home medals, while Sonia O’Sullivan got her hands on a well-earned silver medal at the Sydney games in 2000.

Mr O’Donoghue said he hoped the new home of Olympic sport would ensure a close working relationship between the Government, the Olympic Council, the Irish Sports Council and the National Governing Bodies of Sport.

Around €650,000 of Government money was put forward to help the OCI pay for the new building.