Ireland had a great showing in the inaugural Dublin Ironman event with 1,500 Irish athletes taking their places amongst the 2,500 participants of the event.

Irish professional Kevin Thornton was the first of the Irish participants to cross the finish line in third place with a time of 4:08:34 and his compatriot and fellow professional Robbie Wade was not far behind in fourth place with a time of 4:12:21.

Stephen Thompson was the next Irishman across the finish line in tenth place with a time of 4:24:28 and he was followed in twelfth place by Dessie Duffy and in fourteenth place by Kevin Keane. 

Thornton grew up in Galway and competed in his first Ironman in 2010. Wade, on the other hand, born in Waterford has been racing for 18 years.

All Dublin city bridges across the River Liffey have reopened following the inaugural Ironman in the city.