Elizabeth Bradshaw and her daughter Breda were concerned that they might have been doing the wrong thing, given that the occasion had to do with events of last weekend. But the charming little replica of the World Cup trophy became the centrepiece of a Government reception yesterday for the heroes of Kiawah Island.

Indeed, Paul McGinley and Padraig Harrington were so taken with it that arrangements are being made to have it, in turn, replicated, as a rather special memento of their greatest achievement in golf.

Down to the last detail, it was a perfect facsimile of the trophy they had held aloft beside the 18th green of the Ocean Course.

Jim McDaid, the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, played host to the reception in Government buildings. And the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, also arrived on the scene to pay personal tribute to the Dublin duo, who had bridged a 39-year gap since Harry Bradshaw and Christy O'Connor Snr won the then Canada Cup in Mexico City.

That was where the little trophy came in. Harry's widow and daughter brought it along as a tangible link with those dramatic events of 1958. In the absence of the actual large, weighty award, which the winners are not permitted to take away, it made for a charming substitute.

Meanwhile, the other half of the triumphant partnership was represented at the reception by his golfing sons, Christy and Peter. "Himself" is currently in Morocco where he continues to defy the advancing years by shooting ridiculous scores like 68, which would be the stuff of wild imaginings for many a player half his age.

Minister McDaid set off the proceedings by highlighting the immense value of this latest golfing success to the nation. "The Government congratulates Paul and Padraig on bringing the image of this country to the forefront of international golfing circles," he said.

Nor was their happy sense of timing lost on their host, coming as it did only two months after confirmation from the Minister that Ireland would stage the Ryder Cup in 2005. Here was further evidence that apart from facilitating the playing of the game, Ireland could also lead the golfing world by splendid example.

McGinley and Harrington were hugely impressed by the occasion. "It's a wonderful thrill to receive a state reception and it adds a helluva lot to our achievement to know that it was so much appreciated here at home," said the Stackstown player, whose parents Paddy and Breda were there, along with his fiancee, Caroline Gregan.

As it happens, he and Caroline are to be married a week on Saturday and one of his concerns was that his friend, doughty partner and one-time neighbour, McGinley might not be able to attend. But the reigning Irish professional champion has changed his tournament plans for next week.

"I have decided not to play in the Hong Kong Open," he said last night. "In view of everything that has happened, I just couldn't think of heading off to the Far East and missing Padraig's wedding."

It might have appeared to be a simple choice, but in professional golf, invitations of that nature are not thrown about: turn them down and there is no guarantee the offer will be repeated.

It was also highly appropriate that the players should have officially recognised their debt of gratitude to the Golfing Union of Ireland, which did so much to shape their careers.

"I want to publicly thank the GUI for the time and money they invested is us," said McGinley. "Without their help and support, we wouldn't be here as world champions."

He went on: "I didn't realise the reaction would be anything like this. Padraig and I were concentrating so hard on the job in hand last weekend that we could only hope that people back home were enjoying our efforts. If we ever needed proof of that, here it is."

Sharing in the occasion were his mother Julia and wife Allison, who were both present at Kiawah Island, and his father Michael, who, appropriately, has been extremely active in GUI affairs in an administrative capacity. Paul's brother Michael, who captured the North of Ireland Championship last year, was also present.

Nor were the supporting players overlooked in a general appreciation of what had been a wonderful sporting drama. John O'Reilly saw to that. While thanks were being handed around, O'Reilly asked: "What about the rats?" which is how caddies are described on tour.

The answer came from his "master", Harrington, who said: "I didn't recognise you John, wearing a collar and tie."

The last occasion on which triumphant professional golfers were honoured at this level was when Des Smyth, Eamonn Darcy and Ronan Rafferty secured Ireland's first Dunhill Cup victory in 1988. Predictably, it was hailed at the time as the finest team triumph since the Canada Cup success of 1958.

"In a way, I think these lads did better than myself and Christy," was the modest reaction from The Brad, at that time. He would probably have said the same thing yesterday, were he alive. Instead, his achievement will become a part of their lives in the shape of a rather special little trophy.