CHILLY, BLUSTERY and with a hint of rain in the air: not ideal conditions for the Olympic flame as it toured the north yesterday, having arrived in Belfast on Saturday evening. But the exuberance of the welcome made up for the unseasonable weather.
Former Olympian Dame Mary Peters, who won gold at the pentathlon in 1972, grinned from ear to ear as she bore the flame through Belfast City Airport arrivals hall in a special golden lantern, to the sound of cheering schoolchildren.
First Minister Peter Robinson, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and blind water skier Janet Gray were among the special guests welcoming the torch. Minister for Sport Carál Ní Chuilín said the all-Ireland Torch Relay was “a celebration of sport, culture and our local heroes”. She said “each torch-bearer has their own unique story, be they an elite sportsperson, someone who has overcome adversity or a person who makes a difference to their community”.
On Sunday the flame travelled 126 miles. It was carried by 132 people through 21 towns and villages, before ending up in the seaside town of Portrush, Co Antrim, where the last runner of the day, 17-year-old Louise Lyons, lit the Olympic torch.
The first runner, setting off with the flame from the striking new Titanic building just after 6am, was Karen Marshall, a 31-year-old from Tynan, Co Armagh. Marshall is a charity worker who has suffered from Crohn’s disease for 14 years.
The relay traced a brief circuit of the north Down coast, before heading towards Belfast and then past the Glens of Antrim. The idea is that the torch will pass within 16km (10 miles) of 95 per cent of the population. And despite the early start the relay runners were greeted with enthusiasm by onlookers, some of whom were still in their dressing gowns.
The crowds swelled as the day progressed and a festive atmosphere gripped many towns, with brass bands playing and impromptu barbecues by the side of the road.
At Stormont, the seat of the Northern Ireland Assembly, about 4,000 people cheered as the torch was carried up the long avenue, first by retired teacher Tom Campbell and then by cancer research fund-raiser Geraldine McCann.
“I think people are exhilarated to be part of an event that’s one of the greatest competitions in the world and to be part of a little bit of history,” said Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister.
Later, the torch was carried into Belfast Zoo, to the bemusement of watching seals. Well-known torch-bearers included television personalities Patrick Kielty and Zoe Salmon, and former Ireland rugby player Trevor Ringland, who carried the torch in Larne.
Some found the progress of the torch emotional and moving, but there was also a light-hearted mood. Signs reading “Keep ’er lit” appeared regularly along the route. And at one point a man cycled alongside the route holding up a lit lighter in ironic tribute. At times, the gusty wind did indeed threaten to extinguish the flame, but while it wavered alarmingly on occasion, it was never extinguished.
Despite the party spirit, the security forces will be on high alert during the visit. PSNI Chief Constable Alistair Finlay warned that “the threat remains severe and police officers remain the principal target”.
The flame continues its tour through Northern Ireland today and tomorrow travels to Dublin – its only visit outside the United Kingdom apart from Greece – on Wednesday, before returning to the North and departing for Scotland on Thursday.