A New Flame Has Come To Derry

The Olympic Torch has arrived in Derry, and a carnival of colours and music is descending upon the city. Si's Sights And Sounds headed into the city centre to find out more

Mick Corey (Department of Culture and Leisure, far left) and Oonagh McGillion (Director of Development, Derry City Council, far right) with Olympic torchbearers Lisa Bradley, Karlann McDermott, Siún Heaney and Siobhan Heaney

On Monday June 4, the Olympic Flame will arrive in Derry for the final leg of Day 17 of the Olympic Torch Relay. The torch will arrive at Dungiven Road/Woodburn Park Crossroads at 5 pm, and then travel a route encompassing Limavady Road, the Foyle Bridge, Culmore Road, Strand Road, Foyle Embankment, Water Street, Foyle Street, John Street, Carlisle Road, Ferryquay Street, Shipquay Street and the Guildhall Square, before it finds its way to the Peace Bridge. There, it will be picked up by Isobel Coote from Ballygawley, who will carry the flame to the middle of the bridge before passing it over to 13-year-old Meabh Fisher.

Towards the end of an evening celebration at St. Columb's Park Stadium, 12-year-old Darrel Harpur, from Strabane, will have the honour of lighting the Olympic cauldron at the end of a two-hour show featuring music from General Fiasco. This will conclude a four-day festival of events, the Big Flame Festival, which also features the Carnivale Of Colours at St. Columb's Park, the 2D Comics Fair at the Verbal Arts Centre, the Waterside Greenway opening and the Olympic Carnival Parade.

One torchbearer, St. Cecilia's pupil Karlann McDermott, told Si's Sights And Sounds how she and schoolmate Siún Heaney became torchbearers, and what the experience meant to them.

"Derry City Council announced that we were to represent them after we won a competition to design the Olympic mascot for Northern Ireland. We've played a part in organising everything at the Big Flame Festival, from the Carnivale Of Colours to the forthcoming parade. It's been a novel and exciting experience for both of us."

Ken Kelling, from the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games, said: "I'm hugely excited about being in Northern Ireland. The support for the event has been phenomenal. It's great to have the opportunity to christen St. Columb's Park in its new refurbished splendour."

Mick Corey, from the Department Of Culture and Leisure, said: "Welcoming the torch to Derry is a great privilege. It's a journey where the torchbearers get to be the real stars, where the region gets the opportunity to showcase what it can do, and where the people get their moment to shine. So bring it on!"

For more information about the Big Flame Festival, check out the official site.