Menu
18/05/2011
Olympic Torch To Race Round NI
NI will feature among the 74 locations on the 2012 Olympics torch relay route.
It will start at Land's End and take a route that covers every nation and region in the UK and includes island visits, will see the Olympic torch travel 8,000 miles.
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Locog) said the Olympic flame would come within a one-hour journey of 95% of people in the UK.
The torch will leave Land's End, Cornwall, on the morning of Saturday 19 May 2012 - the day after it arrives in the UK from Greece.
During the 70-day torch relay, it will pass through towns and cities including Bristol, Cardiff, Liverpool, Belfast, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Manchester, Sheffield, Nottingham, Oxford, Southampton and Dover, arriving at the Olympic Stadium on 27 July for the lighting of the cauldron at the opening ceremony.
In NI, the new Minster for Culture, Arts and Leisure has welcomed plans for the visit of the Olympic torch to the North of Ireland next year.
Speaking at Belfast City Hall, which will be one of the venues where local people will be able to see the Olympic Torch on its journey to London to open the 2012 Olympic Games, Carál Ni Chuilín said: "The Olympic torch will be here for four days next June and Belfast, Portrush, Derry and Newry will have the tremendous honour of hosting the Olympic torch overnight. Each location will organise festivals to celebrate this historic, once in a life-time event."
Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Pat Convery, hailed the 2012 Olympic Torch Relay as a once in a lifetime occasion. He said: "We are honoured that we are to be a part of this momentous celebration.
"The Olympic flame is renowned for being a symbol of peace, unity and friendship; traits that are now also associated with Belfast and Northern Ireland.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for all of our citizens and neighbourhoods to demonstrate the spirit of unity and cooperation.
"Belfast is a young and evolving city, and I have no doubt that we will embrace the torch and its ethos with enthusiasm and energy," he said.
(BMcC/GK)
It will start at Land's End and take a route that covers every nation and region in the UK and includes island visits, will see the Olympic torch travel 8,000 miles.
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Locog) said the Olympic flame would come within a one-hour journey of 95% of people in the UK.
The torch will leave Land's End, Cornwall, on the morning of Saturday 19 May 2012 - the day after it arrives in the UK from Greece.
During the 70-day torch relay, it will pass through towns and cities including Bristol, Cardiff, Liverpool, Belfast, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Manchester, Sheffield, Nottingham, Oxford, Southampton and Dover, arriving at the Olympic Stadium on 27 July for the lighting of the cauldron at the opening ceremony.
In NI, the new Minster for Culture, Arts and Leisure has welcomed plans for the visit of the Olympic torch to the North of Ireland next year.
Speaking at Belfast City Hall, which will be one of the venues where local people will be able to see the Olympic Torch on its journey to London to open the 2012 Olympic Games, Carál Ni Chuilín said: "The Olympic torch will be here for four days next June and Belfast, Portrush, Derry and Newry will have the tremendous honour of hosting the Olympic torch overnight. Each location will organise festivals to celebrate this historic, once in a life-time event."
Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Pat Convery, hailed the 2012 Olympic Torch Relay as a once in a lifetime occasion. He said: "We are honoured that we are to be a part of this momentous celebration.
"The Olympic flame is renowned for being a symbol of peace, unity and friendship; traits that are now also associated with Belfast and Northern Ireland.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for all of our citizens and neighbourhoods to demonstrate the spirit of unity and cooperation.
"Belfast is a young and evolving city, and I have no doubt that we will embrace the torch and its ethos with enthusiasm and energy," he said.
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
05 June 2012
Olympic Torch Disrupted in Londonderry
A protest in Londonderry disrupted the Olympic torch relay yesterday, causing the route to be slightly changed. One man was arrested charged with assault on police and disorderly behaviour after minor scuffles. About 100 people had gathered for a dissident republican protest against police searches. Nobody was injured.
Olympic Torch Disrupted in Londonderry
A protest in Londonderry disrupted the Olympic torch relay yesterday, causing the route to be slightly changed. One man was arrested charged with assault on police and disorderly behaviour after minor scuffles. About 100 people had gathered for a dissident republican protest against police searches. Nobody was injured.
19 October 2009
Olympics Get 'Stamp Of Approval'
The Olympics are coming – with Royal Mail putting aside its industrial relations problems by commissioning some of Britain's top artists and illustrators to create three sets of stamps, to be issued over the next three years, in the run up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Olympics Get 'Stamp Of Approval'
The Olympics are coming – with Royal Mail putting aside its industrial relations problems by commissioning some of Britain's top artists and illustrators to create three sets of stamps, to be issued over the next three years, in the run up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
11 May 2011
University Sports Project Takes 'Olympic Gold'
A local university's sports' project has become the first in the UK to be recognised under London 2012" Olympic Truce programme.
University Sports Project Takes 'Olympic Gold'
A local university's sports' project has become the first in the UK to be recognised under London 2012" Olympic Truce programme.
04 March 2008
Belfast To Play Host To Potential Olympic Champions
Belfast is celebrating after four of its main sports sites were named as potential Pre-Olympic Games Training Camps.
Belfast To Play Host To Potential Olympic Champions
Belfast is celebrating after four of its main sports sites were named as potential Pre-Olympic Games Training Camps.
22 August 2012
Paralympic Flame Lit In Northern Ireland
The Paralympic Torch has been lit at the top of Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland’s highest peak. Scouts and mountaineers climbed the County Newcastle hill today to create the National Flame as part of the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay.
Paralympic Flame Lit In Northern Ireland
The Paralympic Torch has been lit at the top of Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland’s highest peak. Scouts and mountaineers climbed the County Newcastle hill today to create the National Flame as part of the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
