ARMAGH TO STAGE GIANT PEACE RALLY FOR CLINTON
Armagh to stage giant peace rally or Clinton
PRESIDENT Clinton is tonight expected to round off his Northern Ireland visit at a gigantic peace rally in a city which symbolises the links between Catholics and Protestants on the island.
The US president is expected to take to a massive stage in the centre of Armagh city - Ireland's ecclesiastical capital - to make a heartfelt plea for an end to violence.
In front of an audience of at least 20,000 at the 'Gathering for Peace' rally in the historic Mall area, President Clinton is due to arrive around 7.30pm and is expected to stay in the city until around 9pm.
Irish singing legend Mary Black will attend the event which will also feature a number of groups and artists representing all sections of the community.
Co Tyrone man Paul Donaghy, brother of former Tyrone GAA star Plunkett Donaghy and son of singer Eileen Donaghy, will sing - unexpectedly.
His surprise break came about after he was involved in erecting backdrops for the presidential stage and entertained some of the large American advance team in his home village of Moy.
After hearing him perform they demanded that he appear on stage at the presidential bash.
Sharon Haughey (17) from Keady, who touched the president's heart during his last visit here with a moving peace message, will be the first person to meet Mr Clinton in Armagh - at his request.
Armagh mayor. Robert Turner said the presidential peace rally would help to manifest "a sense of optimism within the community at large"
Peter McKittrick of the Armagh Marketing Initiative said the venue would open at 5pm and people were advised to come along as early as possible.
He said: "Its a great honour to be hosting the president and certainly the city has not seen anything like this in its long history."
He added that the mood would be generally positive but there would also be a time of reflection for those killed in the Omagh bomb.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Stormont First Minister David Trimble, and his deputy, Seamus Mallon, will also be in Armagh to hear Clinton's historic peace address.
Other entertainers include the Armagh Girls Singers, Armagh Old Silver Boys Band,McGleenan's traditional group and the Combined Cadet Force Pipe Band. There will also be two readers from schools.
PRESIDENT Clinton is tonight expected to round off his Northern Ireland visit at a gigantic peace rally in a city which symbolises the links between Catholics and Protestants on the island.
The US president is expected to take to a massive stage in the centre of Armagh city - Ireland's ecclesiastical capital - to make a heartfelt plea for an end to violence.
In front of an audience of at least 20,000 at the 'Gathering for Peace' rally in the historic Mall area, President Clinton is due to arrive around 7.30pm and is expected to stay in the city until around 9pm.
Irish singing legend Mary Black will attend the event which will also feature a number of groups and artists representing all sections of the community.
Co Tyrone man Paul Donaghy, brother of former Tyrone GAA star Plunkett Donaghy and son of singer Eileen Donaghy, will sing - unexpectedly.
His surprise break came about after he was involved in erecting backdrops for the presidential stage and entertained some of the large American advance team in his home village of Moy.
After hearing him perform they demanded that he appear on stage at the presidential bash.
Sharon Haughey (17) from Keady, who touched the president's heart during his last visit here with a moving peace message, will be the first person to meet Mr Clinton in Armagh - at his request.
Armagh mayor. Robert Turner said the presidential peace rally would help to manifest "a sense of optimism within the community at large"
Peter McKittrick of the Armagh Marketing Initiative said the venue would open at 5pm and people were advised to come along as early as possible.
He said: "Its a great honour to be hosting the president and certainly the city has not seen anything like this in its long history."
He added that the mood would be generally positive but there would also be a time of reflection for those killed in the Omagh bomb.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Stormont First Minister David Trimble, and his deputy, Seamus Mallon, will also be in Armagh to hear Clinton's historic peace address.
Other entertainers include the Armagh Girls Singers, Armagh Old Silver Boys Band,McGleenan's traditional group and the Combined Cadet Force Pipe Band. There will also be two readers from schools.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0216
Published Date: 03-Sep-98
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