Menu
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)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
24 March 2011
Jordanstown To Host Paralympic Event
An event for the 2012 Paralympic Games is to be held in Northern Ireland. The Boccia World Cup will take place at the University of Ulster's campus in Jordanstown in August. Boccia is a target ball sport and is a Paralympic sport for athletes with severe disabilities affecting motor skills.
Jordanstown To Host Paralympic Event
An event for the 2012 Paralympic Games is to be held in Northern Ireland. The Boccia World Cup will take place at the University of Ulster's campus in Jordanstown in August. Boccia is a target ball sport and is a Paralympic sport for athletes with severe disabilities affecting motor skills.
08 September 2021
NI Athletes Win Six Medals At Tokyo Paralympic Games
Northern Irish athletes have brought home a total six medals from the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games, which has ended after 12 days of competition.
NI Athletes Win Six Medals At Tokyo Paralympic Games
Northern Irish athletes have brought home a total six medals from the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games, which has ended after 12 days of competition.
25 August 2021
NI Athletes Compete At 2020 Paralympic Games In Tokyo
Minister's have wished all NI athletes competing at the 2020 Paralympic Games all the very best in Tokyo. First Minister Paul Givan said: "As the Paralympic Games get under way, it is great to see our hugely talented Paralympians competing on the biggest stage. To be selected for the Paralympic Games is an incredible achievement.
NI Athletes Compete At 2020 Paralympic Games In Tokyo
Minister's have wished all NI athletes competing at the 2020 Paralympic Games all the very best in Tokyo. First Minister Paul Givan said: "As the Paralympic Games get under way, it is great to see our hugely talented Paralympians competing on the biggest stage. To be selected for the Paralympic Games is an incredible achievement.
22 September 2008
NI Open Weekend To Launch 2012 Olympics
A series of arts and cultural venues will offer a range of special events - some of them 'behind the scenes' - over the coming weekend, 26-28 September.
NI Open Weekend To Launch 2012 Olympics
A series of arts and cultural venues will offer a range of special events - some of them 'behind the scenes' - over the coming weekend, 26-28 September.
19 January 2017
Ministers Congratulate Olympic And Paralympic Athletes
A number of athletes from Northern Ireland who competed at the 2016 Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games have been congratulated by Ministers at Stormont.
Ministers Congratulate Olympic And Paralympic Athletes
A number of athletes from Northern Ireland who competed at the 2016 Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games have been congratulated by Ministers at Stormont.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A largely dry evening and night. It will be mostly cloudy, but a few clear spells are possible in the east during the evening. Some patchy rain across the west shortly before dawn. Minimum temperature 5 °C.
