Peter and Richard Chambers and Alan Campbell also visited the Bann Rowing Club where their love of the sport began after landing back in Belfast on Wednesday morning.

They were surrounded in their native home by young athletes who wanted to see the medals their heroes won for Team GB at the London Games - silver for the Chambers brothers and bronze for Campbell.

Huge crowds in Coleraine greeted the sportsmen and UTV's Jane Loughrey, who is reporting from the north coast town, said the place is buzzing.

"Children are wrapped in Union flags, they're waving the Team GB flags as well. Old and young alike, they're all here in anticipation intending to give their heroes a triumphant welcome.

They stopped, they chatted to people they let people hold the medals, they signed autographs.

Jane Loughrey

"The rowers seemed to be shocked by the amount of people who had come out to see them.

"They said that they were overwhelmed by the extent of the welcome that they received in Coleraine," added Jane.

Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilín said the Olympians had made it to the top of their sport, and served "as an inspiration to us all."

"To compete at an Olympic Games is a fantastic achievement: it takes years of effort, dedication and sacrifice, not to mention the support of coaching staff, family and countless others," she said.

"Winning an Olympic medal is a step up again. It indicates that an athlete has joined the elite and ensures not only recognition in their field but also a place in history."

Keith Leighton, who is the captain of Bann Rowing Club, described the trio as "absolute role models".

He told UTV, "They're totally inspirational, these guys.

"The Chambers and Alan come back here any time they get a chance with a break in training and they help coach these young athletes.

They're absolute role models, very down to earth guys.

Keith Leighton, Bann Rowing Club

Northern Ireland picked up its largest ever medal haul at the 2012 Olympics, with the rowers success followed by further medals in boxing.

Belfast light-flyweight Paddy Barnes, who is 25, became the first Irish boxer to medal at two consecutive Olympics after he won bronze in Beijing four years ago.

Michael Conlan, who is 20 and from west Belfast, picked up bronze at his first Games after losing to Cuba's Robeisy Ramirez Carrazana, who went on to take gold in the flyweight.

The fighters were welcomed home at the Titanic Centre on Monday afternoon by a massive crowd, which included six former Olympians from Northern Ireland.

Then on Tuesday they were cheered on by hundreds as they were driven around Belfast on an open top bus, showing off their medals.