Torch to make its way through Dublin from Croke Park to St Stephen's Green

THE OLYMPIC torch will be greeted in Howth by President Michael D Higgins at 7.45am tomorrow before it makes its way around Dublin city.

Forty torch bearers will pass through the city’s streets from about 9.30am and the public are welcome to line the streets along the route. The event at Harbour Road in Howth is also open to the public and hundreds of local schoolchildren are expected to attend.

The torch relay will start at Croke Park – the Jones Road entrance – and finish in St Stephen’s Green at 11.30am where the public can also gather.

Kilkenny hurler Henry Shefflin will parade the torch around the new Skyline attraction at Croke Park before taking it on the first leg of the relay.

Eurovision stalwarts Jedward will carry the torch from the corner of Cathal Brugha Street to the GPO on O’Connell Street. The brothers are former cross-country runners so the sprint should not present a challenge.

The torch will continue down Eden Quay, by the Custom House, the IFSC and Sherriff Street before Dublin footballer Bernard Brogan hands it to former soccer player Paul McGrath at Beckett Bridge. It also passes Fitzwilliam Square, Leeson Street bridge, Grand Parade, Harold’s Cross bridge, Clanbrassil Street, Patrick Street, Christchurch, Dame Street, Trinity College, Nassau Street and Clare Street.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny will be out to greet the torch when it arrives at Government Buildings on Upper Merrion Street. It will continue to Ely Place and Hume Street before finishing at the Olympic stage on St Stephen’s Green at about 11.30am.

Dublin Lord Mayor Andrew Montague will greet torch bearer Sonia O’Sullivan, who will light an Olympic cauldron on the stage in St Stephen’s Green.

Other torch bearers include Anthony Sutherland, father of the late boxer Darren Sutherland; boxer Kenneth Egan; former athletes Ronnie Delany and John Treacy; retired rugby players Denis Hickie and Shane Horgan; Bridget Taylor, mother of boxer Katie Taylor, and jockey Ruby Walsh.

RTÉ television is carrying the relay on RTÉ1 from 9am.

OLYMPIC GAMES: TOURISM IRELAND WOOS LONDON VISITORS

TOURISM IRELAND will target more than eight million Londoners this month to promote Ireland as a “hassle-free holiday” away from the Olympic Games bustle.

The first phase of the €500,000 “Escape the Madness” advert campaign will present Ireland as an ideal escape destination as the Games attract millions of spectators to the city.

More than 200 large adverts will appear at different Tube stations across the British capital, targeting commuters during the morning and evening rush hours.

Adverts will appear in the Evening Standard, London’s free daily newspaper which is read by millions of commuters. Aer Lingus adverts will also be run to promote attractive fares from London.

“While the Olympics will be a very exciting time in London, the event will inevitably draw huge crowds. Commuting and day-to-day life will become that bit more hectic for Londoners,” said Minister of State for Tourism Michael Ring.

“The Government and Tourism Ireland are using this opportunity to present the island of Ireland as the ideal escape destination during this busy time,” he added.

About 18 million additional journeys will be taken on the London Underground between the opening ceremony on July 27th and the closing ceremony on September 9th, according to Mr Ring.

Tourism Ireland is working with hostelbookers.comto promote BB and hostel stays in Ireland this summer. - AISHLING PHELAN