BOMB VICTIM REMEMBERED AT TREE-PLANTING CEREMONY
Bomb victim remembered at tree-planting ceremony
A LARGE and representative crowd gathered at the Dun Uladh centre, just outside Omagh, to remember one of the young victims of the Market Street bomb on August 15.
In a ceremony to commemorate the life of Adrian (Aidan) Gallagher, a holly oak tree was planted in the grounds at the centre.
The ceremony included input from clergymen from both sides of the community, and during the simple, but emotional ceremony, a lament was played.
Prior to the act of dedication, Rev. Kevin Mullan said Adrian was remembered as a son, brother and uncle as well as a godfather and a good friend to many, including Michael Barrett, who helped plant the tree in his memory.
He said Adrian was "one of the dearest choir of hearts taken to Heaven from Omagh's street".
He continued: "We thank God for giving Adrian a home with Himself, and for having given him to us here on earth, for his good nature, his happy spirit, his technical skills and achievements, his interest in life here on the lowland and high in the mountains, his wish for peace and his support for it, and - above all - the peace, love and joy he gave to his family and his friends.
"May his spirit live in us, and, with it, may we build for ourselves and others something of the future that he, through his talents and innocence and determination, would have helped to shape in this community," Fr. Mullan said. The act of dedication was shared by Fr. Mullan and Cappagh Parish Church rector, Rev. Derek Quinn.
The ceremony began with an introduction about trees and the Dun Uladh planting scheme by Mr. Ted Cooke, from Co.Cork, an expert on trees, who said the holly oak had been grown from an acorn initially provided by Mr. Malcolm Lake, of Omagh, a member of the International Tree Foundation.
The tree was planted by Adrian's father, Mr. Michael Gallagher, and Adrian's close friend, Michael Barrett. They were assisted by family members and friends of Adrian's.
Following the dedication the names of the other people from the Omagh district, Buncrana and Spain to die were read by Mr. Gallagher, and prayers were said for the dead and injured.
A lament on a fiddle was played by Mr. Michael Gallagher, of Mountfield.
Those who had gathered for the poignant service were told that the centre was available for other tree planting ceremonies for those who wanted to plant a tree in memory of a loved one.
The ceremony, which was organised by a Gallagher family friend, was brought to a close with an invitation to tea and a brief talk on trees by Mr. Lake.
A LARGE and representative crowd gathered at the Dun Uladh centre, just outside Omagh, to remember one of the young victims of the Market Street bomb on August 15.
In a ceremony to commemorate the life of Adrian (Aidan) Gallagher, a holly oak tree was planted in the grounds at the centre.
The ceremony included input from clergymen from both sides of the community, and during the simple, but emotional ceremony, a lament was played.
Prior to the act of dedication, Rev. Kevin Mullan said Adrian was remembered as a son, brother and uncle as well as a godfather and a good friend to many, including Michael Barrett, who helped plant the tree in his memory.
He said Adrian was "one of the dearest choir of hearts taken to Heaven from Omagh's street".
He continued: "We thank God for giving Adrian a home with Himself, and for having given him to us here on earth, for his good nature, his happy spirit, his technical skills and achievements, his interest in life here on the lowland and high in the mountains, his wish for peace and his support for it, and - above all - the peace, love and joy he gave to his family and his friends.
"May his spirit live in us, and, with it, may we build for ourselves and others something of the future that he, through his talents and innocence and determination, would have helped to shape in this community," Fr. Mullan said. The act of dedication was shared by Fr. Mullan and Cappagh Parish Church rector, Rev. Derek Quinn.
The ceremony began with an introduction about trees and the Dun Uladh planting scheme by Mr. Ted Cooke, from Co.Cork, an expert on trees, who said the holly oak had been grown from an acorn initially provided by Mr. Malcolm Lake, of Omagh, a member of the International Tree Foundation.
The tree was planted by Adrian's father, Mr. Michael Gallagher, and Adrian's close friend, Michael Barrett. They were assisted by family members and friends of Adrian's.
Following the dedication the names of the other people from the Omagh district, Buncrana and Spain to die were read by Mr. Gallagher, and prayers were said for the dead and injured.
A lament on a fiddle was played by Mr. Michael Gallagher, of Mountfield.
Those who had gathered for the poignant service were told that the centre was available for other tree planting ceremonies for those who wanted to plant a tree in memory of a loved one.
The ceremony, which was organised by a Gallagher family friend, was brought to a close with an invitation to tea and a brief talk on trees by Mr. Lake.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0581
Published Date: 03-Sep-98
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