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22/08/2012
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.
It will be taken to Belfast on Saturday for a day of celebrations, before it is joined with other flames in Stoke Mandeville, the home of the Paralympic movement.
A ferrocerium rod was struck against a rough steel surface to create the sparks for the flame at 09:30 BST.
It was placed in a miner's lantern to be brought back down on foot.
The flame will visit Ballymena, Cookstown, Carrickfergus, Londonderry, Lisburn, Newry and Strabane, over the next few days.
Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG, said the combination of teamwork and human endeavour being used to create the Northern Irish Flame was "a very fitting start to the Paralympic Torch Relay celebrations".
"This group of inspirational individuals will be lighting the way to a fantastic 10 days of sport," he added.
Northern Ireland Sports Minister Carál Ni Chuilín said the flame-lighting ceremony at the top of Slieve Donard marked "the start of the Paralympic flame events in Ireland".
She added: "There are a number of exciting events taking place on Saturday 25 August. I would like to encourage everyone to get involved in the events and to get behind all the athletes from Ireland who will be competing in the games."
(NE)
Scouts and mountaineers climbed the County Newcastle hill today to create the National Flame as part of the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay.
It will be taken to Belfast on Saturday for a day of celebrations, before it is joined with other flames in Stoke Mandeville, the home of the Paralympic movement.
A ferrocerium rod was struck against a rough steel surface to create the sparks for the flame at 09:30 BST.
It was placed in a miner's lantern to be brought back down on foot.
The flame will visit Ballymena, Cookstown, Carrickfergus, Londonderry, Lisburn, Newry and Strabane, over the next few days.
Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG, said the combination of teamwork and human endeavour being used to create the Northern Irish Flame was "a very fitting start to the Paralympic Torch Relay celebrations".
"This group of inspirational individuals will be lighting the way to a fantastic 10 days of sport," he added.
Northern Ireland Sports Minister Carál Ni Chuilín said the flame-lighting ceremony at the top of Slieve Donard marked "the start of the Paralympic flame events in Ireland".
She added: "There are a number of exciting events taking place on Saturday 25 August. I would like to encourage everyone to get involved in the events and to get behind all the athletes from Ireland who will be competing in the games."
(NE)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and 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.
