A FAMILY DAY TO REMEMBER
A family day to remember
79-year-old Bella steals show from laureate nephew
From JULIE O'CONNOR in Oslo
THE celebrations began in earnest in Oslo's City Hall yesterday after the solemn Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony.
David Trimble's and John Hume's friends and family thronged lobby of the Grand Hotel in Oslo city centre after the ceremony, excitedly discussing the day's events.
Centre stage was John Hume's 79-year-old aunt, Bella Kerrigan. She said: "The ceremony was a magnificent occasion. I just cried the whole way through it. I am very proud of John."
The SDLP leader later joked that his aunt had stolen the show.
She said: "I am getting more publicity today than the Queen of Norway and John put together."
The excitement in the aftermath of the ceremony was in stark contrast to the nerves both camps had felt beforehand.
The First Minister's wife, Daphne Trimble, said she had had a restless night's sleep before the ceremony and had been chewing her fingernails all morning.
She added: "I have never been so nervous, I was more nervous than David was.
"But it was a wonderful occasion. Everything went extremely well -but I must admit I did feel very overwhelmed.
"The children were so proud of him as indeed we all were."
The UUP leader's children, Richard, 16, Victoria, 14, Nicholas, 11, and Sarah, six, mixed happily with the crowds with Nicholas confidently giving interviews to the world's media.
He said: "I just met John Hume on the way over to Oslo in the plane - he's a very nice man.
"I really was very proud sitting in the audience. I just kept thinking - that's my dad up there."
Clutching his small camera he said: "I have to be really careful not to lose this because all my memories are in there."
Four of John Hume's five children were also in Oslo to see their father receive the peace prize.
Aidan, who works as a banker in Boston, said: "It's my brother John jnr's 30th birthday today, so it's going to be a double celebration for all the family.
Mr Hume's proud wife, Pat, added: "It has been an exhausting day but I have memories that will live with me forever.
"It was quite difficult at times during the ceremony in Oslo City Hall to keep the tears back but I did manage it. But there was a well of emotion building up inside me the whole time."
John Hume also revealed he would be keeping his medal in his home in Londonderry.
The veteran politician said it would take pride of place on his wall.
In his Donegal retreat, Mr Hume has hanging on the wall a framed version of Martin Luther King's I Have a Dream speech, which was presented to him by Dr King's widow.
On the same wall is a poster of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, with the axiom: "One Man Can Make A Difference - and Every Man Should Try".
Both John Hume and David Trimble are living proof of that timeless message.
The First Minister stayed close with his family all day and revealed that he planned to get a reproduction of the gold Nobel medal for all his four children.
He said: "I just want my children to have a copy so they will always remember this day."
Also presented along the medals was a painting for each man by Franz Wiederberg - Norway's most famous artist.
Joking afterwards, Mr Trimble said his painting was particularly apt because of the dominant orange colour running through it.
He joked: "I have named this painting Orangeman on the Horse," he said laughing. "Don't you think it suits?"
Guests at the ceremony included Norway's King Harald and Queen Sonja, whom the laureates had met for a private audience earlier in the day.
Later, both men met with 5,000 schoolchildren in Oslo city centre where they together lit an eternal flame as a symbol of
hope and peace throughout the world.
Also at the ceremony was UUP Assemblyman Ian Adamson, who last year married his glamorous young girlfriend Kerry Carson. Both said they had a very memorable day.
Belfast-born flautist James Galway and Londonderry's second favourite son, Phil Coulter, chatted warmly with Mr Hume and Mr Trimble after the ceremony.
But the violence that has marred and blighted Northern Ireland for the past 30 years was not forgotten.
The retired Roman Catholic Bishop of Derry, Edward Daly, a longtime friend of John Hume, said memories of Omagh had dominated his consciousness all day.
He said: "During the ceremony all I kept thinking was the last time I had seen so many media it had been in the aftermath of the Omagh bombing.
"It was at the funeral of a 22-month-old baby who was called Breda Devine and I just couldn't get her out of my mind.
"I just remember being in that little church in Co Tyrone. But today was a very important ceremony and very memorable.
"I do hope that nothing like Omagh ever happens again."
Early last night a candlelit procession passed he Grand Hotel, watched from the balcony by the First Minister and the SDLP leader.
Joining the crowds of Norwegian people was a party from England, who had travelled to Norway on a school visit. .
London history teacher Stuart Bailey took part in the parade.
He said: "It's wonderful to be here on such an historic occasion, at a time when everyone feels such hope.
"The children are ecstatic to be involved in such an important event. Living in England we have seen at close hand how the Troubles have affected people's lives.
"We are just hoping the violence is over now and people can now live in peace."
Later in the evening the two laureates attended a Nobel banquet before moving on to a party held in the Royal Christiana Hotel hosted by Waterford Crystal.
There, both men were presented with specially-designed doves of peace.
Both men are living proof that even some of the most difficult and seemingly impossible problems can be solved.
It has been a wearisome journey for both men. But there were tears of joy in Oslo last night and a sense of gladness that the dark days of 30 years are hopefully drawing to a close.
speech, which was presented to him by Dr King's widow.
On the same wall is a poster of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, with the axiom: "One Man Can Make A Difference - and Every Man Should Try".
Both John Hume and David Trimble are living proof of that timeless message.
The First Minister stayed close with his family all day and revealed that he planned to get a reproduction of the gold Nobel medal for all his four children.
He said: "I just want my children to have a copy so they will always remember this day."
Also presented along the medals was a painting for each man by Franz Wiederberg - Nor-way's most famous artist.
Joking afterwards, Mr Trimble said his painting was particularly apt because of the dominant orange colour running through it.
He joked: "I have named this painting Orangeman on the Horse," he said laughing. "Don't you think it suits?"
Guests at the ceremony included Norway's King Harald and Queen Sonja, whom the laureates had met for a private audience earlier in the day.
Later, both men met with 5,000 schoolchildren in Oslo city centre where they together lit an eternal flame as a symbol of hope and peace throughout the world.
Also at the ceremony was UUP Assemblyman Ian Adamson, who last year married his glamorous young girlfriend Kerry Carson. Both said they had a very memorable day.
Belfast-born flautist James Galway and Londonderry's second favourite son, Phil Coulter, chatted warmly with Mr Hume and Mr Trimble after the ceremony.
But the violence that has marred and blighted Northern Ireland for the past 30 years was not forgotten.
The retired Roman Catholic Bishop of Derry, Edward Daly, a longtime friend of John Hume, said memories of Omagh had dominated his consciousness all day.
He said: "During the ceremony all I kept thinking was the last time I had seen so many media it had been in the aftermath of the Omagh bombing.
"It was at the funeral of a 22-month-old baby who was called Breda Devine and I just couldn't get her out of my mind.
"I just remember being in that little church in Co Tyrone. But today was a very important ceremony and very memorable.
"I do hope that nothing like Omagh ever happens again."
Early last night a candlelit procession passed the Grand Hotel, watched from the balcony by the First Minister and the SDLP leader.
Joining the crowds of Norwegian people was a party from England, who had travelled to Norway on a school visit. .
London history teacher Stuart Bailey took part in the parade.
He said: "It's wonderful to be here on such an historic occasion, at a time when everyone feels such hope.
"The children are ecstatic to be involved in such an important event. Living in England we have seen at close hand how the Troubles have affected people's lives.
"We are just hoping the violence is over now and people can now live in peace."
Later in the evening the two laureates attended a Nobel banquet before moving on to a party held in the Royal Christiana Hotel hosted by Waterford Crystal.
There, both men were presented with specially-designed doves of peace.
Both men are living proof that even some of the most difficult and seemingly impossible problems can be solved.
It has been a wearisome journey for both men. But there were tears of joy in Oslo last night and a sense of gladness that the dark days of 30 years are hopefully drawing to a close.
79-year-old Bella steals show from laureate nephew
From JULIE O'CONNOR in Oslo
THE celebrations began in earnest in Oslo's City Hall yesterday after the solemn Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony.
David Trimble's and John Hume's friends and family thronged lobby of the Grand Hotel in Oslo city centre after the ceremony, excitedly discussing the day's events.
Centre stage was John Hume's 79-year-old aunt, Bella Kerrigan. She said: "The ceremony was a magnificent occasion. I just cried the whole way through it. I am very proud of John."
The SDLP leader later joked that his aunt had stolen the show.
She said: "I am getting more publicity today than the Queen of Norway and John put together."
The excitement in the aftermath of the ceremony was in stark contrast to the nerves both camps had felt beforehand.
The First Minister's wife, Daphne Trimble, said she had had a restless night's sleep before the ceremony and had been chewing her fingernails all morning.
She added: "I have never been so nervous, I was more nervous than David was.
"But it was a wonderful occasion. Everything went extremely well -but I must admit I did feel very overwhelmed.
"The children were so proud of him as indeed we all were."
The UUP leader's children, Richard, 16, Victoria, 14, Nicholas, 11, and Sarah, six, mixed happily with the crowds with Nicholas confidently giving interviews to the world's media.
He said: "I just met John Hume on the way over to Oslo in the plane - he's a very nice man.
"I really was very proud sitting in the audience. I just kept thinking - that's my dad up there."
Clutching his small camera he said: "I have to be really careful not to lose this because all my memories are in there."
Four of John Hume's five children were also in Oslo to see their father receive the peace prize.
Aidan, who works as a banker in Boston, said: "It's my brother John jnr's 30th birthday today, so it's going to be a double celebration for all the family.
Mr Hume's proud wife, Pat, added: "It has been an exhausting day but I have memories that will live with me forever.
"It was quite difficult at times during the ceremony in Oslo City Hall to keep the tears back but I did manage it. But there was a well of emotion building up inside me the whole time."
John Hume also revealed he would be keeping his medal in his home in Londonderry.
The veteran politician said it would take pride of place on his wall.
In his Donegal retreat, Mr Hume has hanging on the wall a framed version of Martin Luther King's I Have a Dream speech, which was presented to him by Dr King's widow.
On the same wall is a poster of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, with the axiom: "One Man Can Make A Difference - and Every Man Should Try".
Both John Hume and David Trimble are living proof of that timeless message.
The First Minister stayed close with his family all day and revealed that he planned to get a reproduction of the gold Nobel medal for all his four children.
He said: "I just want my children to have a copy so they will always remember this day."
Also presented along the medals was a painting for each man by Franz Wiederberg - Norway's most famous artist.
Joking afterwards, Mr Trimble said his painting was particularly apt because of the dominant orange colour running through it.
He joked: "I have named this painting Orangeman on the Horse," he said laughing. "Don't you think it suits?"
Guests at the ceremony included Norway's King Harald and Queen Sonja, whom the laureates had met for a private audience earlier in the day.
Later, both men met with 5,000 schoolchildren in Oslo city centre where they together lit an eternal flame as a symbol of
hope and peace throughout the world.
Also at the ceremony was UUP Assemblyman Ian Adamson, who last year married his glamorous young girlfriend Kerry Carson. Both said they had a very memorable day.
Belfast-born flautist James Galway and Londonderry's second favourite son, Phil Coulter, chatted warmly with Mr Hume and Mr Trimble after the ceremony.
But the violence that has marred and blighted Northern Ireland for the past 30 years was not forgotten.
The retired Roman Catholic Bishop of Derry, Edward Daly, a longtime friend of John Hume, said memories of Omagh had dominated his consciousness all day.
He said: "During the ceremony all I kept thinking was the last time I had seen so many media it had been in the aftermath of the Omagh bombing.
"It was at the funeral of a 22-month-old baby who was called Breda Devine and I just couldn't get her out of my mind.
"I just remember being in that little church in Co Tyrone. But today was a very important ceremony and very memorable.
"I do hope that nothing like Omagh ever happens again."
Early last night a candlelit procession passed he Grand Hotel, watched from the balcony by the First Minister and the SDLP leader.
Joining the crowds of Norwegian people was a party from England, who had travelled to Norway on a school visit. .
London history teacher Stuart Bailey took part in the parade.
He said: "It's wonderful to be here on such an historic occasion, at a time when everyone feels such hope.
"The children are ecstatic to be involved in such an important event. Living in England we have seen at close hand how the Troubles have affected people's lives.
"We are just hoping the violence is over now and people can now live in peace."
Later in the evening the two laureates attended a Nobel banquet before moving on to a party held in the Royal Christiana Hotel hosted by Waterford Crystal.
There, both men were presented with specially-designed doves of peace.
Both men are living proof that even some of the most difficult and seemingly impossible problems can be solved.
It has been a wearisome journey for both men. But there were tears of joy in Oslo last night and a sense of gladness that the dark days of 30 years are hopefully drawing to a close.
speech, which was presented to him by Dr King's widow.
On the same wall is a poster of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, with the axiom: "One Man Can Make A Difference - and Every Man Should Try".
Both John Hume and David Trimble are living proof of that timeless message.
The First Minister stayed close with his family all day and revealed that he planned to get a reproduction of the gold Nobel medal for all his four children.
He said: "I just want my children to have a copy so they will always remember this day."
Also presented along the medals was a painting for each man by Franz Wiederberg - Nor-way's most famous artist.
Joking afterwards, Mr Trimble said his painting was particularly apt because of the dominant orange colour running through it.
He joked: "I have named this painting Orangeman on the Horse," he said laughing. "Don't you think it suits?"
Guests at the ceremony included Norway's King Harald and Queen Sonja, whom the laureates had met for a private audience earlier in the day.
Later, both men met with 5,000 schoolchildren in Oslo city centre where they together lit an eternal flame as a symbol of hope and peace throughout the world.
Also at the ceremony was UUP Assemblyman Ian Adamson, who last year married his glamorous young girlfriend Kerry Carson. Both said they had a very memorable day.
Belfast-born flautist James Galway and Londonderry's second favourite son, Phil Coulter, chatted warmly with Mr Hume and Mr Trimble after the ceremony.
But the violence that has marred and blighted Northern Ireland for the past 30 years was not forgotten.
The retired Roman Catholic Bishop of Derry, Edward Daly, a longtime friend of John Hume, said memories of Omagh had dominated his consciousness all day.
He said: "During the ceremony all I kept thinking was the last time I had seen so many media it had been in the aftermath of the Omagh bombing.
"It was at the funeral of a 22-month-old baby who was called Breda Devine and I just couldn't get her out of my mind.
"I just remember being in that little church in Co Tyrone. But today was a very important ceremony and very memorable.
"I do hope that nothing like Omagh ever happens again."
Early last night a candlelit procession passed the Grand Hotel, watched from the balcony by the First Minister and the SDLP leader.
Joining the crowds of Norwegian people was a party from England, who had travelled to Norway on a school visit. .
London history teacher Stuart Bailey took part in the parade.
He said: "It's wonderful to be here on such an historic occasion, at a time when everyone feels such hope.
"The children are ecstatic to be involved in such an important event. Living in England we have seen at close hand how the Troubles have affected people's lives.
"We are just hoping the violence is over now and people can now live in peace."
Later in the evening the two laureates attended a Nobel banquet before moving on to a party held in the Royal Christiana Hotel hosted by Waterford Crystal.
There, both men were presented with specially-designed doves of peace.
Both men are living proof that even some of the most difficult and seemingly impossible problems can be solved.
It has been a wearisome journey for both men. But there were tears of joy in Oslo last night and a sense of gladness that the dark days of 30 years are hopefully drawing to a close.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/146
Published Date: 11-Dec-98
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