However a technical hitch meant only three of the torchbearers were able to light the flame after one of the ice columns failed to appear.

BBC: Winter Olympics start despite luge tragedy

But what will happen after the Olympic Flame leaves town?

BBC: Touring the cities of Olympics past

The team in Northern Ireland had the best weather conditions and the shortest journey and after putting their flame in a miner's lantern, they were expected to be back at base at around 11:30 BST.

BBC: London 2012: Four Paralympic flames kindled around the UK