The Olympic Flame will arrive in Belfast on June 3rd and cross the border in the early hours of Wednesday June 6th.  The Olympic Council of Ireland has revealed details of the historic Olympic Torch Relay and has named the first 34 of the 41 torch bearers who will carry the flame through Dublin.
Many have made their name through sporting excellence while more are drawn from the community and voluntary sector.  They include Paul McGrath, Ronnie Delaney, John Treacy and Anne Ebbs.  The one name which does stand out somewhat among the excellent and inspiring group is that of Jedward, former X Factor finalists and Eurovision Song Contestants.
There will be a total of 8,000 torches on the whole tour of Britain in Ireland.  As the flame is passed from runner to runner at intervals of approximately 300 metres the flame, which will be lit on Mount Olympus later today, May 10th, will be transferred from one torch to the next.  Each torch bearer gets to keep their torch as a souvenir.
In total the Olympic Flame will be in the Republic of Ireland for six hours.  There will be a cross border ceremony where one of Ireland’s Olympic medal winning boxers, Wayne McCullough will hand over to Barcelona Gold medallist, Michael Carruth.  Children from schools in Newry and Dundalk will be present for this handover.
A vehicle convoy will then dash to Howth on the northern outskirts of Dublin. Included in the convoy will be a vehicle that contains a miner’s lantern holding the original Olympic Flame.
The President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins will greet the first Dublin torch bearer in a ceremony outside the offices of the Olympic Council of Ireland at 8am before the convoy moves to Croke Park for an iconic walk across the stadium’s new Skyline Walkway.
Kilkenny hurling legend Henry Shefflin will carry the Flame on the roof and then undertake the first proper leg of the relay, leaving Croke Park at 0930 am.
The Torch Relay then runs around the city, taking in the Garden of Remembrance, O’Connell Street, Eden Quay, the Custom House, the IFSC, Sheriff Street, the Samuel Beckett Bridge, Holles Street, Fitzwilliam Square, Leeson Street Bridge, Grand Parade and bridges on the Grand Canal before crossing Harold’s Cross Bridge, into Clanbrassil Street, Patrick Street, Christchurch, Dame Street, Trinity College, Nassau Street, Clare Street, Upper Merrion Street, Ely Place, Hume Street and Saint Stephen’s Green.  The final runner  will light an Olympic cauldron on the Saint Stephen’s Green Bandstand to commemorate the event.  The Torch convoy will then speed back North to re-commence its tour with a celebration in Belfast at 4pm.
“The Olympic Torch Relay will bring the spirit of the London Games to Dublin and starts the countdown for the Irish team’s challenge at the world’s biggest sporting event,” said Pat Hickey, President of the Olympic Council of Ireland.
There are three presenting partners of the Olympic Torch Relay, two of which are active in Ireland.  Each has had the opportunity to nominate torch bearers as part of their commercial arrangement with the London 2012 Organising Committee.
“The Torch bearers we have selected from around Ireland are all outstanding people who spread happiness in their local communities to make Ireland burn brighter,” said James Williams of Coca-Cola.  “They will be honoured with the amazing experience of carrying the Olympic Flame. I hope everyone joins us in cheering them on as they run along the route”
“Samsung’s ambition is to make London 2012 everyone’s Olympic Games, added General Manager – Ireland, Gary Twohig. “The Olympic Torch Relay has enabled us to create this opportunity for so many inspirational torch bearers.”
The full list of 34 Torch bearers is in Issue 21 of Sport for Business Weekly.
Latest Stories
Olympic Torch in Dublin
Boost for British Horse racing
Ladies Football treble top for Bord Gais Energy
Man City make switch to Nike
McKillop sets first world record at Olympic Stadium
Leinster and Ulster pile on social media
McDonalds use sport to launch water switch
Land Rover extends eventing support
Sponsors central to the FAI
The latest issue of Sport for Business Weekly (May 3rd to 9th 2012)

Building business through a healthy workplace; Tracking the progress of the Sigmarathon; Following the Olympic Torch on the Streets of Dublin; Connecting througfh Women’s Sport and the Irish Sports Summit.
Next Networking Event
How to increase commercial support for women’s sport
Sign up for our free daily news digest on the commercial world of Irish Sport
Find out how your organisation can benefit from membership of the Sport for Business Community