THE PLANS to transform the quay-front in New Ross took a major step forward within the last few days when the ‘Emigrant Flame’ was lit up for the first time as part of a testing procedure.

The flame, which will be housed in a specially commissioned globe sculpture, will be formally lit by Caroline Kennedy, Jean Kennedy Smith and the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, T.D., on June 22.

However, last week representatives from the Birmingham based Bullfinch (Gas Equipment) Ltd. arrived in town to carry out tests on the firing mechanism.

The delegation included engineers who developed the burner system for the London 2012 Olympic Torch, the gas beacons on ‘Hadrian’s Wall’, and the 600 beacons used for Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

For New Ross the same team of experts developed a piece of equipment called ‘The Gathering Torch’ burner. It will carry a flame from the ‘Eternal Flame’ lighting beside the grave of JFK in Arlington Cemetery, in America.

From there the flame will travel back to New Ross via Boston and Liverpool. It will arrive in New Ross on board the Irish naval vessel, LE Orla, which itself will play a major role in the actual lighting ceremony.

The ship will remain in the town until June 23.

(For the full story see this week’s print edition of The Echo)