The sports stars and their 49 coaches entered the arrivals hall to cheers and applause from friends and family members who greeted them with tears of joy and plenty of hugs.

Team Ireland bagged 31 gold, 44 silver and 32 bronze medals having competed in 12 sports at the Games: aquatics, athletics, badminton, basketball, bocce, bowling, equestrian, football, golf, gymnastics, kayaking and table-tennis.

The 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, which kicked off on June 25, was the biggest sporting event to take place in the world this summer with 7,500 athletes from 185 nations competing.

The Games were supported by 25,000 volunteers.

Junior Minister Michael Ring was among those gathered to welcome the team in to Dublin Airport, and he paid tribute to the athletes and their families, coaches and supporters.

"You have all been the most wonderful ambassadors for your country, in every possible way, and we are very proud of you all," Minister Ring said.

His congratulations were echoed by Irish Sports Council CEO John Treacy, who said: "The athletes performed magnificently throughout the Games and not only did themselves, their family and friends proud but also their country."

“So much work goes into preparing a team for competition on the world sporting stage," added Matt English, CEO Special Olympics Ireland.

"The overall results of the Team are testament to the hard work and dedication of both the athletes and their coaches. I applaud each and every member of Team Ireland and congratulate them on their outstanding sporting achievements”.