BOYZONE'S DAY OF MIXED EMOTIONS
Boyzone's day of mixed emotions
Omagh opens its heart to supergroup
By Jennifer Doherty
IT was - in the words of Irish popstars Boyzone - the most important and poignant concert of their lives.
On Saturday Ronan Keating, Steven Gately, Mickey Graham, Keith Duffy and Shane Lynch played two emotional concerts in Omagh - and lifted the spirits of the young people of the town.
Up to 2,000 young fans converged in the town's leisure centre for a matinee and evening show given by Dublin's fab five.
And between shows Boyzone met with more than 150 young people who had been affected by the August 15 bombing.
These included 19-year-old Pauline Green whose left leg was amputated below the knee after the explosion.
After meeting her idols, she said that she was almost speechless.
"They were very friendly and very nice - its all very exciting", she said.
Elaine White (9), armed with a handful of autographs, said that the concert had been "brilliant", and added that she had met her favourite member - Steven. And 12-year-old Jonathan Preston said that it had been a day to remember.
Lindsay Gault (7) was very impressed with meeting her idol Ronan, and said: "I had a great time, this is my first time to see them."
Boyzone took to the stage just before 3pm, and Ronan announced to the crowd: "Its fantastic to be here.
"I don't have preach about why are here - but we are here now to have a good time."
Each concert lasted more than an hour as the Dublin band played a string of hits, including No Matter What, Picture of You, Words, and I Love The Way You Love Me and A Different Beat.
It was an extraordinary concert - and those present didn't need reminding that its very existence had been borne out of tragic circumstances.
Mothers, fathers, children and teenagers sang along to each song, and for a few hours, the town laughed and smiled again.
The band also announced that they were to donate a platinum disc of sales of their latest album which will be auctioned off to raise funds for the Omagh fund.
Speaking after the matinee show, a clearly emotional Ronan Keating said that it had been Boyzone's most important gig.
"This was something very special which we wanted to give to the people of Omagh.
"It was a very tough gig and very emotional - but the welcome we got once we went on stage was fantastic.
"It was very special - the atmosphere was phenomenal. There was a brilliant buzz and it was great to see a smile on everyone's faces."
Jim Aiken of Aiken Promotions, who organised the event, said that in all his years of promoting concerts, the Omagh concerts had been the most special and important event ever staged.
He added: "There has never been a more moving or emotional date. "This gives me hope for the future - the band didn't have to do this - this is fantastic. They deserve a lot of credit."
John McKinney, of Omagh District Council said: "I think that we should be indebted to Boyzone for their generosity, their spirit and their humaneness.
"This is a very emotional day for the youth of Omagh. It was an opportunity for the young people of Omagh to enjoy themselves.
"People still must have an opportunity to relax and enjoy themselves - it is a step towards a new normality.
"I think that the fact that Boyzone came here is a testament to their generosity.
"This is a very good start for 1999 and I hope we continue on this positive vein", he added.
Omagh opens its heart to supergroup
By Jennifer Doherty
IT was - in the words of Irish popstars Boyzone - the most important and poignant concert of their lives.
On Saturday Ronan Keating, Steven Gately, Mickey Graham, Keith Duffy and Shane Lynch played two emotional concerts in Omagh - and lifted the spirits of the young people of the town.
Up to 2,000 young fans converged in the town's leisure centre for a matinee and evening show given by Dublin's fab five.
And between shows Boyzone met with more than 150 young people who had been affected by the August 15 bombing.
These included 19-year-old Pauline Green whose left leg was amputated below the knee after the explosion.
After meeting her idols, she said that she was almost speechless.
"They were very friendly and very nice - its all very exciting", she said.
Elaine White (9), armed with a handful of autographs, said that the concert had been "brilliant", and added that she had met her favourite member - Steven. And 12-year-old Jonathan Preston said that it had been a day to remember.
Lindsay Gault (7) was very impressed with meeting her idol Ronan, and said: "I had a great time, this is my first time to see them."
Boyzone took to the stage just before 3pm, and Ronan announced to the crowd: "Its fantastic to be here.
"I don't have preach about why are here - but we are here now to have a good time."
Each concert lasted more than an hour as the Dublin band played a string of hits, including No Matter What, Picture of You, Words, and I Love The Way You Love Me and A Different Beat.
It was an extraordinary concert - and those present didn't need reminding that its very existence had been borne out of tragic circumstances.
Mothers, fathers, children and teenagers sang along to each song, and for a few hours, the town laughed and smiled again.
The band also announced that they were to donate a platinum disc of sales of their latest album which will be auctioned off to raise funds for the Omagh fund.
Speaking after the matinee show, a clearly emotional Ronan Keating said that it had been Boyzone's most important gig.
"This was something very special which we wanted to give to the people of Omagh.
"It was a very tough gig and very emotional - but the welcome we got once we went on stage was fantastic.
"It was very special - the atmosphere was phenomenal. There was a brilliant buzz and it was great to see a smile on everyone's faces."
Jim Aiken of Aiken Promotions, who organised the event, said that in all his years of promoting concerts, the Omagh concerts had been the most special and important event ever staged.
He added: "There has never been a more moving or emotional date. "This gives me hope for the future - the band didn't have to do this - this is fantastic. They deserve a lot of credit."
John McKinney, of Omagh District Council said: "I think that we should be indebted to Boyzone for their generosity, their spirit and their humaneness.
"This is a very emotional day for the youth of Omagh. It was an opportunity for the young people of Omagh to enjoy themselves.
"People still must have an opportunity to relax and enjoy themselves - it is a step towards a new normality.
"I think that the fact that Boyzone came here is a testament to their generosity.
"This is a very good start for 1999 and I hope we continue on this positive vein", he added.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0681
Published Date: 04-Jan-99
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