OMAGH LIGHTS THE CHRISTMAS WAY
Omagh lights the Christmas way
By IAN GRAHAM
THE people of the bomb-ravaged town of Omagh came together yesterday to lead the country in a celebration of Christmas.
Hundreds packed into St Columbas Church of Ireland parish chapel in the Co Tyrone town for a cross-community service of prayer and carols.
Catholic and Protestants, among them relatives of those who died in the horrific August bombing and some of those still recovering from their injuries attended the service.
The 29 people who were killed and the more than 200 injured were remembered during the service which took as its theme "Light out of Darkness".
It formed the start of ITVs televised Christmas services and was broadcast across the UK.
Catholic and Protestant clergymen expressed the town's heartfelt thanks for the many messages of sympathy, books of condolence and aid through the Omagh Fund, which had been sent from across the nation.
Later thousands of people took part in a candlelight procession through Omagh in memory of the bomb victims.
The "Walk of Light'" ended with a cross-community carol service outside the town centre court house after passing the site of the blast, where damaged buildings have been demolished.
By IAN GRAHAM
THE people of the bomb-ravaged town of Omagh came together yesterday to lead the country in a celebration of Christmas.
Hundreds packed into St Columbas Church of Ireland parish chapel in the Co Tyrone town for a cross-community service of prayer and carols.
Catholic and Protestants, among them relatives of those who died in the horrific August bombing and some of those still recovering from their injuries attended the service.
The 29 people who were killed and the more than 200 injured were remembered during the service which took as its theme "Light out of Darkness".
It formed the start of ITVs televised Christmas services and was broadcast across the UK.
Catholic and Protestant clergymen expressed the town's heartfelt thanks for the many messages of sympathy, books of condolence and aid through the Omagh Fund, which had been sent from across the nation.
Later thousands of people took part in a candlelight procession through Omagh in memory of the bomb victims.
The "Walk of Light'" ended with a cross-community carol service outside the town centre court house after passing the site of the blast, where damaged buildings have been demolished.
Further Information
Publisher: IRISH INDEPENDENT
Ref: II/242
Published Date: 21-Dec-98
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