Dublin church bells spark off New Year celebrations

It is the first day of 2003.

The weather forced a low key Irish ushering in of the New Year. Midnight was marked by church bells and ship horns around the country.

The New Year was also celebrated in style worldwide, with spectacular shows in Sydney, Berlin and Edinburgh.

In Dublin Christchurch cathedral's 19 bells rang out to the city. The Cathedral's Ringing Master, Leslie Taylor, says they are the quintessential sound of the Irish capital at this time of year.

"Its a splendid Dublin tradition. I would think that you could almost call this the voice of Dublin. The bells at Christchurch cathedral are part and parcel of Dublin and the background of the whole city."