Northern Ireland Olympic Torch

awaits the arrival of the Olympic Hallow, good evening and welcome to

downtown Belfast on this momentous occasion. This brilliant crowd here

at the City Hall in Belfast making plenty of noise and we are all here

to celebrate the arrival of the Olympic torch and the lighting of

the cauldron on this, the last night of the Olympic Torch Relay

here in Northern Ireland. Begin news is that the torch is on the

outskirts of the city and we should be able to see it live now. It is

making its way towards us here at the City Hall. It is being carried

by Daniel Hill, only 12 years of age from Glengormley and a very

special moment. All the torch bearers are been sheered along the

road. In a short distance, and this torch will night that next torch,

it is a process called kissing. Very romantic. Grit memory making

moments for every one of the people carrying the torch. The torch

bearers have all been nominated because they had made a real

difference to their families, friends and communities. Throughout

the programme we will bring you some of the stories of those torch-

bearer lose, inspirational and aspirational. My sister was born

with cystic fibrosis and she was waiting on a double man transplant

and gibber sick and had to drop out of school. She felt she was not

going to waste of time sitting about, she wanted to build a school

in Uganda have four children who did not have an opportunity for an

education. She never got to see this goal which was built and it

was heartbreaking to lose her. Every day we miss her, but we know

what she wanted and she put all of her last year and time and effort

into building this go and we as a family want to continue that vision

and we have already built one school and in the summer, my dad is

looking to build a second skill. I am doing some hockey coaching at

the school and at other schools in the area and I believe that me

carrying the torch symbolises my sister passing on her dream

ambition to me and we are trying to I think that is a real sense of how

this Torch Relay is having an impact, not just on the people

carrying it, but their families and supporters and of course all the

people in the villages, towns and cities it is passing through.

Tonight, it is all about Belfast and our new Lord Mayor is with us.

It is lovely to have you here. It has been at is the start, you're

only elected on Friday! HIT has been monumental. I am delighted to

be here. The torch has been travelling all over Northern

Ireland, has special is that for the city and for you? Hugely

special. People have got totally enthralled with the story of the

torch and the relay and the Olympic Games themselves. The message of

hope and inspiration that the tort symbolises has really captivated

people and I think the combination is tonight. What legacy would you

like it to leave here as it heads off to Scotland? The games could

have focused on London and I'm glad they did not. I am glad we have

benefited and had team's training here. The legacy has to be that

young people are encouraged to get involved in sport, whether

participating or for fun, to increase their well-being so that

they benefit ultimately. Belfast loves a party. Absolutely, they are

partying tonight. Time now for another taut story and for this one

we head up to the north-west to see a young man who has been packing a

punch. I am 14 and I am the current Irish boxing champion for my weight

and age and I am carrying the Olympic torch in the relay. I am a

member of the travelling community. I want to prove that I can carry

the Olympic torch and inspire everyone else. My coach said to me

you have been nominated to carry the Olympic torch and I was

overwhelmed and could not believe it. It was a brilliant feeling and

my family found out and they were so proud of me and I was so proud

of myself. When the son the carry the torch, I hope people my age

will feel that they can do it too and go for gold as well. I want to

be in the 2016 Olympics to box because everything is possible.

What an inspirational young man there, just 14 years of age.

Already, he has the next Olympic Games in his sights. We will be

there. Fingers crossed! This is a man from the Sports Institute for

Northern Ireland. Shaping the future of all these young athletes

is what it is about and it is going in the right direction. We have

spent the last six years or so putting in place systems to enable

athletes to come through and give the talent that exists here to

excel at the highest level in their sport. This is a wonderful catalyst

for this. What have the athletes been saying about the torch been

here? What inspiration has a given them? It is bringing it home that

they are a part of this. BC it on the television and it is wonderful.

For every single lottery player in Northern Ireland, they are

supporting our athletes. They are supporting where I work and without

those lottery players, none of this would happen, so it is a wonderful

coming together and to see the torch and see the reality.

Sports Institute has been going for ten years and there are athletes

who had been two games and are going to the London Games, that is

special. The representation of athletes has increased. 13 athletes

confirmed, perhaps another couple on the way, particularly on the

female side, we have a lot more women going along this time, which

is something we targeted. We have a long way to go on this journey, but

it is a sound start. We wish you all the best. Enjoy it tonight and

all the best for the future. The Olympic flame is steadily making

its way along the streets of Belfast, getting ever closer to us

and not long to go now until the big moment when it is carried out

onto the stage here at City Hall to like the cauldron. Let us see where

it is right at this moment. The atmosphere is starting to build now.

We can see the transfer between Garry Magee and this man, who is 57

and has been competing in athletics for 30 years. He is enjoying it and

why would and tea. He has been coaching and training and his

message is about getting everyone involved, no matter what their at -

- their abilities are. Terry Magee is a keen in netball player and a

shining example. She was kissing her torch with Matt Shiels. Very

emotional. The excitement is building on Day 19 of the torch's

historic trip. The crowd are enjoying the concert and a waiting

for the moment that the cauldron will be let with the Olympic flame

in the run-up to the start of the Games next month. All around the

country, young people who love their sport are inspired to go for

gold and is time to hear from another Olympic torch bearer.

nominated to carry the Olympic torch for my granny and for my ice-

skating. I have been ice-skating since I was six years old and I

have competed in competitions all over the UK and recently I have

earned the chance to go and represent Northern Ireland and

Great Britain. I want to inspire other young capes to skate it just

like I was inspired by my coaches. - -- kids. You get a completely

different feeling, it is just you and nothing else matters. I think

whenever I will carry the torch I will be scared to be honest! I

think if I can do it, anyone can do it. If he wants something so badly,

anyone can do it, they just need that inspiration. From one

inspirational woman to another, a Northern Ireland's golden girl is

glad to be still running, Northern Ireland and unpicks a=Dame Mary

Peters. Would you like to join last? Lovely to see you.

Congratulations. We are delighted to abuse. You were saying in

Northern Ireland, and Olympics=day Mary Peters. A delighted are you to

take part? And amazing. My coach came from East Belfast and it was

amazing it to run it there. You got to hand over to one of our

colleagues, Colin Murray. Not just the flames were kissing! Gave us a

look at the medal. I brought it for the children to see it because it

may inspire them. Does it get emotional for you on a day like

this? The real medal is in the Ulster Museum, but I had this copy

that I can show to children. have been inspiring people ever

since the 1972 Olympics in Munich. His it is amazing and I am pleased

that people are lifting the spirit of the Games, because a lot of our

young people are going to the Olympics in 2012 and they will be

watching because they have experienced the flame.

atmosphere is building, how much are you looking forward to seeing

the cauldron let? That will be emotional. For me, the most

emotional thing is the raising of the flight and the lighting of the

cauldron. They said this would be a London games, do we feel party that

now? I think so. I think people will be able to watch the gymnasts,

the boxers and the hockey players training here and enjoy the spirit.

Enjoy the rest of the celebrations. Of course, every where the Olympic

flame goes it is cheered on as the runners carry the torch along the

relay and in many places it is welcomed with a bit of a party.

Never one to miss out on a party is Sarah Travers who has travelled

across Northern Ireland over the last four days, she's been up in

the North Coast, a Newry, hopefully she should be with us now. She

should be with us shortly. She has been having the time of her life.

It is really starting to build here, it is an unbelievable atmosphere. I

think everywhere you go, I was with the torch in Newtownabbey as it

passed through on Sunday, and it was amazing to see the crowds that,

because we did not know exactly how many people were going to come out

and you read on. I have not managed to get my daughter out, but I am

insisting on taking her out tomorrow morning to Temple Bath

tick -- Templepatrick. My grandmothers on the torch today.

That is the good thing, there is one more day left if you want to

see the torch. I recommend it. One of the torch carriers we were that

to your front, it is celebrating. work in a cookie company in Derry.

I am looking forward to carrying the Olympic torch for the London

2012 Olympics. And Lady nominated me. She things I am a lovely girl

and I am special. I am mad about sports. I was in the Special

Olympics recently and I won a gold medal. I played tenpin bowling. I

am carrying the Olympic torch and it will be an achievement. I will

make history. All my family and friends will be there to see me. I

just cannot wait now. Another inspirational story there. We

promise to Sarah Travers and she has found her way to City Hall. You

have been all over Northern Ireland that is plain and how has it been.

It has been fantastic. It was quite a journey to get over from where we

were broadcasting earlier to here, but it feels like I had been on the

road for about 10 weeks instead of his four days! The crowds and the

bounce has been unbelievable and for any cynics out there who

thought that this would not put in the crowds, just look at this

tonight! You have probably got so many highlights, but can you pick

out one moment or a couple of moments for us to share? That first

night in Portrush at the big concert, that was my first time

seen the cauldron let and that was spectacular. The Coleraine in

rowing at the next day that, the sun shone, but really in Derry on

that Monday night, 12,000 people packed into the park there... It

was incredible, the noise, the buzz, everyone was in great form and it

was lovely to be from Northern Ireland and sharing this with an

hour we country. To due feel a sense that it has been building

here across the week? The crowds have certainly turned out.

Absolutely. I would say the week before people were not sure how

they were going to react. When you see people actually carrying the

torch, you get so excited, it is very emotional and the first night

in Portrush, the cauldron was led by a girl and her mum and dad were

moved to tears and there was lumps in the throats and the whole of

Northern Ireland has got behind it and I think people will miss it

It is just such an emotional time. And to think that that flames

started in Greece, way back then, and it has kissed so many thousands

already, and it still has thousands to go before it reaches the Olympic

Stadium. And no doubt she will be watching every step of the way.

Thank you very much. While the mood in Belfast is buoyant, we should

not forget that some of our torch bearers have been nominated for

overcoming personal tragedy and My name is Gerard Mccartan, and my

wife nominated me to carry the Olympic torch. I was a bit

embarrassed, to tell you the truth. We lost our son to suicide seven

years ago and we have been involved with other families and campaigning

for a suicide prevention strategy. When I was campaigning for the

suicide prevention strategy, there was doing that for him. Was doing

it for everybody else but he was with me. Anybody who is feeling in

a dark area, feeling down and depressed, whatever problems are

going on, I would like them to look at the Olympic torch and see that

there is light at the end of the tunnel. All you have to do is ask

for help. Muhammad Ali was or was an idol of mine. He says that

carrying the Olympic torch was his biggest achievement. -- always.

Another fabulous story. We have news for you. We can see the flame

arriving with Laura Mr Kan, holding on tightly. What a special moment

for her. -- lauren the can. Making her final run-up to the City Hall,

waving to the crowd. She is absolutely enjoying a moment. She

is a 28-year-old teacher. She teaches in St Dominic to grammar

school in Belfast and this must be an absolutely special moment. -- St

Dominick's. She is making her way up to the steps now. Thoroughly

enjoying this. The crowd is delighted and the sun has come out

in honour of the flame arriving here. A proud moment for Belfast

and for Laura McCann. This is the Belfast, the flame is here in your

city. Lauren McCann, sent you so much. I know that the BBC are dying

to speak to you. Gavin Andrews, time for a little interview with

you. Good evening Belfast, we are live

on BBC One. You will want to hear from this goal. Laura, described

the emotions. -- girl. Absolutely amazing. It was so great. I cannot

believe how many people are out to cheer on the torch bearers. Thank

you very much. Agitprop the sun with you. I thought I was going to

have a big perm! Describe the build up to the day. It has been

excellent. At the end of the day, I was just trying to remember what

the Olympics represent. I remember watching them since forever, so to

be a part of even one day, that was just outstanding. As you are a PE

teacher, so three hours could not have been tough. What of the goals

been saying in the build up? They were waving and say hello, but they

are just over the moon. -- what have the girls. A Belfast girl

lighting the torch, this will be a moment she will treasure. I presume

you will be keeping that. It will be put on the mantelpiece. I think

you should get out there and salute the crowd. Thank you very much.

Belfast, you have kept it going. Congratulations. One more big cheer.

For the last few days across Northern Ireland, people have been

just as excited to catch a glimpse of the torch. Imagine how honoured

the torch bearers feel, some who have overcome personal difficulties

and have faced fresh challenges. For one inspirational woman, it is

the chance to lead by example. name has Donella need and I was

nominated to be a torch-bearer by the Cancer Fund for children. I do

fund-raising and voluntary work with the charity if after they

supported us when my daughter was diagnosed with cancer three years

ago. It was an absolute emotional roller-coaster. It was horrendous.

Now me is in remission, which is the most important thing. -- Niall

me. After something so negative, something positive has come out of

it. I'm giving back my time and I absolutely love it. To be given

this opportunity to carry the torch is just fantastic. Physically, I

will be carrying the torch but will be -- with me will be my family and

the charity. They will all be there in hearts. They will be right

That is the scene in Belfast. The torch is lit, the flame has arrived.

The supporters and the people of Belfast have been standing here

waiting for this. It has been raining most of the day. The sun

came out in the end. We are happy to report, it is an amazing moment.

As we heard, Gerrard was a great boxer and here he mentioned a great

boxer, who is beside me now. A fantastic boxer, Mr Wayne

McCullough, delighted to have you here. You had an early start.

started at 6:30am. Her my jaw of an emotional moment was that? It was

fantastic. -- how much of an emotional moment. I had not seen

him for 20 years. To see him again, it was an emotional thing. Lots of

kids turned up, and it is all about tickets. What a fitting way to win

the programme, with one of the boxing greats. Thank you very much.

That is it from the City Hall. It has been an eventful, momentous

night. But not the end of the journey. There are still lots of

time to see the flame tomorrow as it makes its way to Scotland. It

will go through Antrim and Murphy, all over the place. Moorfields is