Thousands turn out to see Torch tour of Dublin

Thousands of people have converged on St Stephen's Green in Dublin for the final event of the Olympic Torch Relay.

The symbolic Flame's three-hour tour of the city comes after it was was symbolically passed between 1992 boxing medallists Wayne McCullough from Belfast and Dublin's Michael Carruth at the border at 6.30am this morning.

It was officially welcomed to Dublin by President Michael D Higgins at the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) headquarters in Howth.

The Flame was then taken on a whistle-stop tour of the capital - by 40 handpicked torchbearers - before arriving for the farewell event in St Stephen's Green.

President Higgins said today's event was an historic one.

"I think it's a great opportunity for celebrating the international nature of sport," he said.

"It's great encouragement to all these young people who are interested in sport".

The Torch was carried from Howth by the first Dublin torchbearer, teenager Cillian Kirwan, before moving on to Croke Park where Kilkenny hurler Henry Shefflin carried it 44 metres high above Croke the stadium along the Skyline walkway.

“It’s fantastic for all of Ireland to be a part of the Olympic experience," said Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar, who was among those present at GAA headquarters this morning.

"This is a great opportunity to showcase Ireland on the global stage, ahead of the world’s most significant sporting event. I would like to wish all Irish athletes, right across Ireland, the best of luck. I am sure they will all do us proud."

The flame then passed well-known Dublin landmarks including the Garden of Remembrance, the GPO and IFSC, St Patrick's Cathedral, Christchurch and Dublin Castle.

Among those who also carried it were Eurovision competitors Jedward.

John said: “It’s such a great experience being here.

“It was such an honour to carry the Olympic Torch in the relay.

“Thank you, guys, so much for all coming out and being so Jepic and so Jedicated to the Olympics.

“Last year we had Barack Obama and this year we have the Olympic Torch.”

Edward added: “We’re so excited to be here. The Olympic Torch is so symbolic, you better be watching the Olympics.

“Go, Team Ireland!”

Taoiseach Enda Kenny next received the Torch at Government Buildings on Merrion Square, where it was carried into the grounds by former Irish Olympian Ronnie Delaney.

It was then handed over to Brigid Taylor - the mother of Irish boxing hopeful Katie Taylor.

“The symbolism is so powerful,” said Mr Kenny.

“It epitomises in so many ways what the Olympics actually stand for – higher, faster and stronger – for all of those young people who can be inspired by sport, that they take up to become world champions.

“It’s an enormous commitment for split-second timing to be the best in the world and to achieve Olympic glory and therefore, like Ronnie Delaney, everybody knows him because of his achievements in 1956.

“On behalf of the people of this country, it’s great to have the Olympic flame come through.”

[comment] Footage courtesy of Newstalk FM[/comment]

Jockey Ruby Walsh, former footballer Paul McGrath and runner Sonia O’Sullivan were also among the torchbearers taking part in the relay and the ceremony on St Stephen's Green.

Rachel O’Neill, nine, from Churchtown in Dublin, said: “I came here to see Jedward carry the Olympic torch. It was awesome because, like, they’re Jedward.

“I didn’t know it would be a big thing with a fire on top, I thought it was a torch you would shine stuff on.”

Lord Coe, chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games, said the event was everything organisers wanted.

“The welcome has been extraordinary,” he said.

“They’ve been 10, 15, 20 deep, they’re hanging out of office windows, and I saw somebody halfway up a lamppost. That’s commitment.

“I’m really pleased we came here. I felt it was a right thing to do.

“This is a country that’s excellent at sport. You’ve got an extraordinary history in sport and having Michael Carruth run with it this morning symbolises what it’s all about.”

The Torch was taken to Dublin as a symbol of the peace process.

OCI President Pat Hickey said the crossing of the border is a way of celebrating peace in the North for the last 15 years.

“The OCI is the Olympic committee for the island of Ireland so how could you have the torch in part of the island and not coming down to the capital of the Republic?” he added.

The Olympic Torch’s tour of Ireland began in Belfast on Sunday, with 400 torchbearers taking part in a five-day relay around the North..

It returns to Belfast later today, where there will be evening celebrations, before going to Scotland on Thursday night.