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The Olympic Torch has well and truly came and gone from Newry taking several weeks of hype with it.
A fantastic concert in Pairc Esler last night proved the highlight with Olympic medal winner Lord Sebastian Coe speaking to a large crowd who turned out to watch the acts and speakers despite the weather.
Of course wash away the hype (and all the rain of this past two days certainly tried) and you are still left with the incredibly positive story of Newry's Ryan Cinnamond.
I have always been reluctant to refer to people who find themselves in life and death situations as heroes, or brave when they emerge on the other side as I think you really don't have that much choice in the matter, i.e you either sink or swim, but inspirational Ryan definitely is.
Two months after Ryan's life changing illness struck I found myself along with Claire a Journalist from the Democrat at the family home. It was impossible not to come away with a feeling of utter despair, why such a talented likable young lad with everything ahead of him should be struck down with a serious condition leading to him nearly losing his life and then just to add to the nightmare for complications to strike a month later just as things were looking up.
In hindsight though the inspirational spark was there that night all along, Ryan was going to finish his studies and he was determined to walk again and even at that stage was preparing for that.
The result of that was seen by all last night with him confidently carrying the Olympic Torch into Pairc Esler smiling from ear to ear thanks to his nomination by Mayor Charlie Casey.
Ryan probably has his own inspirations from all the people who have travelled with him on his difficult journey to recovery none more so than his parents Peggy and John.
I have no doubt that Ryan will be running not walking before long and will continue to be a much needed inspiration to many people going through their own difficulties.
