Olympic Torch makes historic journey to Republic of Ireland

• Special permission granted for torch to leave UK

• Olympic Torch returns to Belfast on Sunday before going to Scotland on Thursday

Irish Olympic boxing medallists Wayne McCullough and Michael Carruth took part in an early morning hand over ceremony witnessed by Games chief Lord Seb Coe at a remote spot between Newry in Northern Ireland and Dundalk in the Republic.

Mr McCullough said: “I am from the Shankill Road in Belfast, I have never had any problems like religion.

“Boxing was always a sport where Protestant and Catholic came together.”

Dubliners have been called on to line the streets of the capital as it tours the only city outside the UK after special permission was granted for the torch to leave the jurisdiction of the host country.

Jedward, jockey Ruby Walsh, former footballer Paul McGrath and Olympic winning runners Sonia O’Sullivan and Ronnie Delany will be among the 40 torchbearers taking part in the relay.

Crowds of local people watched and cheered as McCullough, who won welterweight gold in the 1992 Games, passed the flame to Carruth, who took bantamweight silver in the same tournament.

More than 5,000 people are expected in Howth as Irish president Michael D Higgins greets the first Dublin torchbearer, teenager Cillian Kirwan, during a civic ceremony outside the OCI offices.

The convoy will move on to Croke Park - the home of GAA - where Kilkenny hurler Henry Shefflin will carry the torch 44 metres high above Croke Park stadium along the Skyline walkway.

The torch will then pass several landmarks including the Garden of Remembrance, GPO and IFSC, it will go over Samuel Beckett Bridge, along the Grand Canal, and pass St Patrick Cathedral, Christchurch and Dublin Castle before going to Government Buildings on Merrion Square and arriving at St Stephen’s Green for a celebration.