Temple Bar to host closing ceremony of 1400km Round-Ireland Run

On 3 April 2009, an international team  from the World Harmony Run, the world's largest torch relay event, will complete a 1400km, 2 week relay run around Ireland  by running into Meeting House Square in Temple Bar for a gala closing ceremony which will include a free open-air lunchtime concert of music from countries and cultures from all over the globe. 

The runners have carried a flaming torch around the entire coast of Ireland, the universal symbol of the friendship between cultures and nations that the Harmony Run seeks to promote. Covering between 90 to 120 km each day, the Run visited over 30 schools, met with community groups, running and sports clubs, and local councils and government representatives in each of the towns they passed through. In total, the torch was held  and passed on by over 10,000 people on its journey around Ireland, each adding their own good will for a more harmonious world.

The run was launched in Dublin on March 21, by former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern T.D., who was also presented with the World Harmony Run's Torch Bearer Award, in recognition of his personal contribution to the peace process in Northern Ireland.

Since its founding by humanitarian Sri Chinmoy in 1987, the World Harmony Run has passed through over 120 countries. Every year, over one million people participate in the Run, passing along our Olympic-style peace torch from hand to hand and adding their hopes for a better world.

The Run has visited Ireland many times over the last 20 years, always receiving a tremendous céad mile fáilte from the Irish public - receptions were held in Arás an Uachtarain for the runners by Presidents Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese, and also by Ministers of Sport and Education and Mayors of various cities and towns.

Endorsements have come from many world figures, including President Nelson Mandela, President Mikhail Gorbachev, Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa and Carl Lewis. Carl Lewis, spokesman for the Run, said, "By carrying the Torch, millions of citizens are taking a step for Harmony and bridging the cultural and social boundaries that separate nation from nation."

Media contacts:

TV:   Mangala Keenan 086-2340113

Radio: Paula Flood 087-2071530

Print + Radio: Nirbhasa Magee 086-0861874

ireland [ at ] worldharmonyrun [dot] org