OMAGH OFFERS HELPING HAND
Omagh offers helping hand
By Ciaran O'Neill
THE community at the centre of the last terrorist atrocity to shock the world has opened its doors to stranded Americans, it emerged today.
The people of Omagh reacted with generosity when a group of US dancers who had been visiting the area were stranded after the New York and Washington atrocities.
Members of the Bailey Mountain Cloggers, who had travelled to Ulster for a music festival at the Ulster American Folk Park, said they would never be able to repay the kindness shown to them by people in the town in the past week.
The dancers, unable to travel home when planes were grounded following the attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania, but eventually able to fly home today, were forced to return to Omagh after their original flight was cancelled.
And despite still coming to terms with the Real IRA bomb in Omagh in 1998, which killed 29 people and two unborn twins, the people of the town rallied to help the stranded dancers. Local companies also provided free goods and services, including accommodation and toiletries.
Staff at the folk park also held a collection for the American visitors. Spokeswoman Mandy Austin said the group had been touched by the help they had received. "The kindness we have been shown is unbelievable. They have all made us feel as close to our home as possible," she said.
Ms Austin also paid tribute to the Western Education and Library Board and Omagh District Council for their help.
A memorial service for victims of last week's attacks will be held in the folk park tomorrow at 6pm.
By Ciaran O'Neill
THE community at the centre of the last terrorist atrocity to shock the world has opened its doors to stranded Americans, it emerged today.
The people of Omagh reacted with generosity when a group of US dancers who had been visiting the area were stranded after the New York and Washington atrocities.
Members of the Bailey Mountain Cloggers, who had travelled to Ulster for a music festival at the Ulster American Folk Park, said they would never be able to repay the kindness shown to them by people in the town in the past week.
The dancers, unable to travel home when planes were grounded following the attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania, but eventually able to fly home today, were forced to return to Omagh after their original flight was cancelled.
And despite still coming to terms with the Real IRA bomb in Omagh in 1998, which killed 29 people and two unborn twins, the people of the town rallied to help the stranded dancers. Local companies also provided free goods and services, including accommodation and toiletries.
Staff at the folk park also held a collection for the American visitors. Spokeswoman Mandy Austin said the group had been touched by the help they had received. "The kindness we have been shown is unbelievable. They have all made us feel as close to our home as possible," she said.
Ms Austin also paid tribute to the Western Education and Library Board and Omagh District Council for their help.
A memorial service for victims of last week's attacks will be held in the folk park tomorrow at 6pm.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0782
Published Date: 20-Sep-01
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