OMAGH WEB ARCHIVE CASTS A GLOBAL NET
Omagh web archive casts a global net
BY DAVID YOUNG
d.young@newsletter.co.uk
A NEW web-based archive on the Omagh bombing has been accessed around the world since it went online earlier this month.
The service, which contains 5,000 articles and recordings relating to the 1998 Real IRA atrocity and other major terrorist attacks, has been inundated with hits since it went live.
Among those logging onto the archive, which was developed over a three-year period by the Omagh Support and Self Help Group (OSSHG), have been internet users from America and Spain.
Two of the 29 victims of the bomb were Spanish.
Project co-ordinator for the online archive Donna McCauley said the feedback had been "very positive" since the site went live two weeks ago.
"People from all over the world have been accessing it," she said.
"People have left opinions on the Omagh bomb and our archive and the vast majority have been very supportive of the work we've done."
Ms McCauley said local people had also been in touch offering their own newspaper articles on the bombing for use on the archive.
The service comprises newspaper coverage, video and audio recordings relating to information on the events leading up to and following the August 15 attack and other global terrorist atrocities.
The OSSHG intend it to be utilised as an educational tool which will support understanding and learning in order to build social capital and support continued Peace and Reconciliation.
Chairman of the OSSHG Michael Gallagher said the archive was being updated on an almost daily basis.
"We are now able to reach an audience we could never have been expected to reach before," he added.
When it was launched the archive received backing from the House of Commons, with shadow Northern Ireland secretaries for the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats voicing their support.
Tory MP David Lidington said the group's "courage, steadfastness and generosity" was an example to everybody.
"I want to express my support for this initiative by the Omagh families," he said.
"They have suffered so much, yet are determined to seek not only justice but also reconciliation between the divided communities of Northern Ireland."
Meanwhile, Lib Dem spokesman Lembit Opik said: "This online archive will no doubt prove to be a valuable resource to all those who wish to learn about the tragedy of the Omagh bombing and I hope that it can be used to promote further reconciliation in Northern Ireland and further afield."
To access the archive log on to: www.omaghbomb.co.uk
BY DAVID YOUNG
d.young@newsletter.co.uk
A NEW web-based archive on the Omagh bombing has been accessed around the world since it went online earlier this month.
The service, which contains 5,000 articles and recordings relating to the 1998 Real IRA atrocity and other major terrorist attacks, has been inundated with hits since it went live.
Among those logging onto the archive, which was developed over a three-year period by the Omagh Support and Self Help Group (OSSHG), have been internet users from America and Spain.
Two of the 29 victims of the bomb were Spanish.
Project co-ordinator for the online archive Donna McCauley said the feedback had been "very positive" since the site went live two weeks ago.
"People from all over the world have been accessing it," she said.
"People have left opinions on the Omagh bomb and our archive and the vast majority have been very supportive of the work we've done."
Ms McCauley said local people had also been in touch offering their own newspaper articles on the bombing for use on the archive.
The service comprises newspaper coverage, video and audio recordings relating to information on the events leading up to and following the August 15 attack and other global terrorist atrocities.
The OSSHG intend it to be utilised as an educational tool which will support understanding and learning in order to build social capital and support continued Peace and Reconciliation.
Chairman of the OSSHG Michael Gallagher said the archive was being updated on an almost daily basis.
"We are now able to reach an audience we could never have been expected to reach before," he added.
When it was launched the archive received backing from the House of Commons, with shadow Northern Ireland secretaries for the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats voicing their support.
Tory MP David Lidington said the group's "courage, steadfastness and generosity" was an example to everybody.
"I want to express my support for this initiative by the Omagh families," he said.
"They have suffered so much, yet are determined to seek not only justice but also reconciliation between the divided communities of Northern Ireland."
Meanwhile, Lib Dem spokesman Lembit Opik said: "This online archive will no doubt prove to be a valuable resource to all those who wish to learn about the tragedy of the Omagh bombing and I hope that it can be used to promote further reconciliation in Northern Ireland and further afield."
To access the archive log on to: www.omaghbomb.co.uk
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/690
Published Date: 17-Apr-07
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