Thousands of athletes have taken part in the Opening Ceremony to the 2003 Special Olympics at Croke Park.
It began at 7.00pm and was watched by a capacity audience of over eighty thousand people as well as being relayed live on RTÉ Radio and Television.
President Mary McAleese and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern led the list of dignitaries at the event.
Both spoke as part of the formal opening of the Games, which were officially declared open by former South African President Nelson Mandela.
The Games are the largest sporting event in the world this year.
More than 7,000 athletes from 160 countries are taking part in the competitions, which are being held in Ireland to coincide with the European Year of People with Disabilities.
The entertainment included performances by U2, the Corrs and Riverdance.
