-
Bucolic Britain
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2012/07/b1a.jpgFarm animals graze the field during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium. Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
-
Bucolic Britain
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2012/07/b2a.jpgArtists perform with geese in the British meadow scene. Photograph: Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images
-
Bucolic Britain
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2012/07/b3a.jpgPerformers in period costume walk with their umbrellas. Photograph: Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images
-
The Bell
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2012/07/b13a.jpgTour de France champion Bradley Wiggins waves to the crowd after ringing a giant bell. Photograph: Paul Gilham/Getty Images
-
Industrial Revolution
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2012/07/b4a.jpgThe age of industry section saw towers emerge from the ground and the forging of the Olympic rings. Photograph: Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images
-
Industrial Revolution
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2012/07/b5a.jpgBranagh doing Brunel doing the Bard: Actor Kenneth Branagh, as Isambard Kingdom Brunel, read an excerpt from Shakespeare's Tempest. Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
-
Industrial Revolution
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2012/07/b6a.jpgRings representing both the Olympics and the Industrial Revolution are lit and lifted. Photograph: Morry Gash/Getty Images
-
Royal performance
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2012/07/b7a.jpgOn her majesty's Olympic service: A performer in the role of Queen Elizabeth II parachutes out of a helicopter above the stadium. Photograph: Lars Baron/Getty Images
-
Tribute to the NHS
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2012/07/b8a.jpgPerformers dance in a scene paying tribute to Great Ormond Street Hospital and the National Health Service. Photograph: Lars Baron/Getty Images
-
Tribute to the NHS
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2012/07/b9a.jpgNurses representing the Great Ormond Street Hospital and the NHS. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
-
Tribute to children's literature
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2012/07/b14a.jpgNannies in full flight: Performers playing Mary Poppins inside the stadium. Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
-
Mr Bean
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2012/07/b11a.jpgActor Rowan Atkinson, in his role as Mr Bean, taking part in a performance of Chariots of Fire. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
-
The Irish team
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2012/07/b12a.jpgBoxer Katie Taylor holds the Tricolour as she leads the Irish team. Photograph: Inpho/Morgan Treacy
-
The Irish team
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2012/07/b10a.jpgIrish athletes enter the stadium. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
-
The Olympic flag
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2012/07/b17a.jpgBoxing legend Muhammad Ali (third left) walks with the Olympic flag. Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters
-
The cauldron
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2012/07/b16a.jpgSeven young athletes, the final torch bearers, carry the Olympic flame prior to the lighting of the cauldron. Photograph: Mike Blake/Reuters
-
The cauldron
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2012/07/b15a.jpgThe Olympic flame burns within the cauldron. Photograph: by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
-
Paul McCartney
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2012/07/b18a.jpgSir Paul McCartney led the crowd during the chorus of Hey Jude. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
