The 105-strong delegation from India went to Ballinahown, Co Westmeath, yesterday to see where the Olympic torch was made. The group arrived in its host town of nearby Athlone on Sunday. Alison Healy reports.
Yesterday's visit to the village of Ballinahown included a stop at the studio of Ms Helen Conneely, who fashioned 17 torches from bog oak for Olympic ceremonies. She presented the group with a replica torch and explained the history of bog oak. The bog oak used in the Olympic torches was from near Tullamore, Co Offaly.
The visitors from India also enjoyed a picnic and a street party in the village square. "They put me to shame with their dancing," said Ms Patricia Cleary, chairwoman of the Athlone host town committee. "It was a mixture of Irish dancing, Indian dancing, rock and pop."
Ms Cleary said the visitors had settled quickly into Athlone and told people they really felt at home. "They are an extremely warm group of people. They say they have been overwhelmed by the hospitality of the Irish people but we have been overwhelmed by their warmth," she said.
The group has been enjoying civic receptions, boat displays and nightly entertainment in the midlands town. They will visit the Army barracks in Athlone later today. A visit to the Institute of Technology in Athlone has also been organised.