Rain can’t dampen spirits as Lisburn welcomes Olympic flame

Following a weekend of celebration for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the city was once again filled with a festival spirit as Olympic fever took over.

In a once in a lifetime opportunity, nine torchbearers proudly held the torch aloft through the city’s streets, as cheering locals looked on.

Despite a torrential downpour as people lined Bow Street excitedly awaiting the flame’s arrival, those gathered didn’t let the weather detract from the excitement across the city.

“It’s brilliant,” said one thrilled local woman. “Just seeing the flame here in Lisburn is amazing, I never thought that would happen. It really brings you closer to the Olympics and makes you feel part of it.”

The flame arrived in Lisburn shortly after 3pm, having been delayed by half an hour, beginning its journey along the Hillsborough Road.

The procession continued as the full cavalcade then made its way to Bow Street, Market Square, Castle Street, Seymour Street, Queen’s Road and then to Lagan Valley Island, where excited local school children were eagerly waiting.

Around 500 people braved atrocious rain to welcome the flame to the Civic Centre, where Lisburn Mayor William Leathem and Olympic gold medal hockey player Jimmy Kirkwood accepted the torch on behalf of the city, as Lisburn girl Evie Dornan proudly handed over the flame.

The cavalcade stopped briefly for a break before departing again via Gregg Street, as it went along Mercer Street, Sloan Street, Young Street, Hillsborough Old Road and the Ravernet Road before making its way to Belfast.

Lisburn’s torchbearers were Alvin Patterson, 64, from Belfast; 26-year-old Dennis Scott from Bangor; Evie Dornan, 15, from Lisburn; Gerard Lenaghan, 40, Castlewellan; Hannah Rainey, 12, from Belfast; Martin McNeill, 43, from Banbridge; 33-year-old Orla Smyth from Belfast and Hillsborough girl Toraigh Fletcher, 14.

Local girls Toraigh and Evie were chosen as an official London 2012 Olympic Torchbearer via Coca-Cola’s Future Flames campaign, which recognises and rewards the positive contributions young people make every day in their local communities.

Toraigh was chosen to carry the Olympic Torch because of her passion for all sports. Her ambition is to represent Northern Ireland in various age groups at the Netball European championships and world youth championships.

Evie was also chosen because of her passion to lead by example and encourage others to take part in sport. When she is older she wants to get involved in coaching to encourage others to enjoy it.

Evie, who carried the Torch from Seymour Street to the Civic Centre, said: “It was absolutely amazing.

“I stepped off the back and I was shaking, but it was incredible. The crowds and the cheering, it was unbelievable, I can still picture it.

“All the schoolchildren were drenched, but they were so enthusiastic. My family came down and my friends from school.”

It was a busy day for Evie who sat her Maths GCSE exam on Wednesday morning, ahead of carrying the Torch.

“It was very strange, but the exam went well. Definitely the torchbearing was more nerve-wracking.”

Evie added: “It is one of my ambitions to be part of the Olympics one day and I am just thankful for the opportunity. I’d like to thank my netball club, Larkfield, and Coca-Cola for sponsoring me, and my dad especially, for his support. My dad Mark, mum Cathy and sisters Anna and Caitlin were all there to support me, although my sister Jenny was disappointed to not be able to make it as she was in England.”

Another of the ‘Future Flames’ was Orla Smyth, a transplant athlete, who carried the flame from the Hillsborough Old Road to Ryanscourt.

Orla represented transplant recipients, those on the transplant waiting list and donor families.

She said: “Because of the amazing generosity of my donor and her family I am approaching my fifth year as a transplanted patient fit and healthy, and I am so grateful for that.

“I’m delighted to carry the torch on part of its journey around Northern Ireland. This really is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I will proudly represent transplant recipients, those on the transplant waiting list, and in particular donor families – without them so many of us would still be on the waiting list and their kindness and generosity have turned many of our lives around.”

Elsewhere, three members of a family from Lisburn all carried the Flame in Fivemiletown on Tuesday.

Jonny (51), Ella (15) and Christy (18) Davis were all nominated through the Samsung campaign. Jonny is a double Fencing Olympian and he currently coaches young Fencers in Belfast. He also works with a number of charities raising funds for them. Christy and Ella volunteer at numerous events including the World Junior Fencing Championships, Boccia World Cup and British Transplant Games. They have also volunteered at many of the events run their which all have a charity partner.

Meanwhile, Lisburn man Mark Pollock said it was “a huge privilege” to carry the Torch in Dublin.

Blind adventurer Mark, who was paralysed in a fall in 2010, added: “It’s really been very exciting for Dublin to get the opportunity and Ireland to get the opportunity to have a little bit of the Olympics come south of the border. It’s important I think for both North and South to be involved in the Olympics in some small way when it’s in this part of the world. From my point of view it turns elite level sport into community sport and everyone can have a little piece of it and hopefully be inspired to become involved.”