The opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games has taken place in London, officially marking the beginning of the 16 day event.
The ceremony, featuring some 7,500 amateur performers, was devised by film director Danny Boyle and cost £27m (€34.5m) to produce.
The ceremony came at the end of a day that has seen the Olympic torch complete its 70-day odyssey around the Britain and Ireland.
Bells also rang out across the UK as the final countdown to the start of the 2012 Olympics began.
Big Ben was joined by hundreds of churches across the nation as it chimed non-stop for three minutes to ring in the Games.
British Prime Minister David Cameron said the country would show the world "the best of Britain" over the next two weeks.
Mr Cameron pledged Britain was ready to welcome the "greatest show on earth" after US presidential hopeful Mitt Romney cast doubt upon the country's readiness.
Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) added: "London is ready."
Oscar-winning director Mr Boyle said the curtain-raiser at the Olympic Stadium was fitting both for London and everyone who will compete at the Games.
Special effects, big names and bags of enthusiasm were used to help celebrate the best of British in Stratford, east London.
Millions more globally tuned in on television but many competitors will be missing from the long and late-starting athletes' parade.
Earlier, Taoiseach Enda Kenny met Irish athletes at their training camp near Twickenham this morning.
The Taoiseach said he wishes Ireland's Olympic athletes the very best on behalf of the people of the country and said that they will do the country proud.
Mr Kenny was speaking after meeting some of the athletes at St Mary's University College in Twickenham, west London, where the squad is based.
He also paid tribute to Ireland's chef de mission, Sonia O'Sullivan, saying that her expertise and understanding of what big-pressure sporting events are like would be of enormous value to the young athletes.
The Taoiseach said the planning that had gone into the London Olympics had been quite extraordinary and that the Games would be outstanding.
Mr Kenny attended a reception at Buckingham Palace this evening with world leaders and VIPs before going to the Olympic Stadium for the opening ceremony.
President of the Olympic Council of Ireland Pat Hickey said the Irish team is the best prepared team ever to be sent by the country, adding that he is very confident it can bring home some medals.
Mr Hickey said boxing, as always, represents Ireland's best chance, but on RTÉ's News at One he identified triathlon, judo, equestrian and sailing as other sports that could come good for Ireland in London 2012.
"Everybody needs a good bit of luck on the day. But we’re competing like a home Olympics and conditions are great for the Irish athletes," he said. "So let's hope we do well."
Coverage begins on RTÉ Two television from 8.30pm.
