OMAGH SWITCHES ON TO A CHRISTMAS FULL OF LIGHT AND HOPE
Omagh switches on to a Christmas full of light and hope
OMAGH was in the spotlight once again as the world's media converged on High Street on Thursday night to witness the switching-on of the Christmas lights. Almost 10,000 people crowded into the town centre, which was given, an injection, of Christmas cheer, when Donegal-born singing star, Daniel O'Donnell, flicked the switch to illuminate the streets with festive lights.
The theme of this year's Christmas in the town is 'Out of the darkness came light', marking the tragic events which occurred in the town in August, when 29 people were killed and more than 200 were injured, and the positive approaches which are being taken to rebuild the community.
Describing the event as a "watershed", Mr. Roy Allen, chairman of 'Omagh Traders' Association, said it was the first step back to normality for Omagh and its inhabitants.
"It was totally inspiring to see so many people out on the streets. It is a good example of what a community can do when it pulls together. It adds more meaning to the theme of this year's celebrations," said Mr. Allen, who thanked all those involved in making the event such a success.
His words were echoed by the compere for the evening, Mr. Pio McCann, who said the "unbelievable turnout" was the boost Omagh needed.
"From the darkness of the past three months Omagh is coming into the light. Many of the people who were killed or injured were standing on these streets on that day. We remember them and their loved ones," said the Highland Radio DJ and former Omagh showband member, whose daughter, Diane, was badly injured in the Market Street explosion.
"The world will never forget the events of that day, and Omagh will never forget. Omagh needs everyone's support," said Mr. McCann, who appealed for everyone to 'Give a day to Omagh'.
"This night will go down in history. It will be a night that people will tell their children and grandchildren about."
The centre of the town was transformed with a carnival-like atmosphere and as far as the eye could see there were balloons and novelty toys held aloft and waved furiously.
Spirits high
The temperature may have been low, but spirits were high, as the crowd patiently waited for the appearance of Daniel O'Donnell.
The evening's proceedings began with a heart rending performance by the Voices for Peace choir, a group made up of children from Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow, Meath and Carlow, and joined, on Thursday night, by schoolchildren from Omagh's Gibson and St. Colmcille's Primary Schools.
Representing Omagh Churches Forum, Rev. Peter Good and Fr. Michael Keaveny, spoke of the need for people of Omagh to open the door to a new future.
Mr. Good encouraged people not to'cancel' Christmas but to celebrate it.
"Christmas will be difficult this year, we will be marking it with a sense of sadness but we should also focus on the things that are precious to us. We should be encouraged by the courage of those who have suffered, the bereaved and the injured. They are a shining example to us all," he said.
Reiterating Mr Good's sentiments, Fr. Keavney urged people to "welcome in the light."
"The hope is that the people of Omagh will open the door to a new future in this town. The cry of the people of Omagh is 'open the door and let the light in'," he said.
Renowned folk singer/songwriters, Dolores and Sean Keane took time out from their hectic schedule to perform the single "Like The First Time Its Christmas Time", the proceeds of which are going to the Omagh Fund.
Dolores, explained that she and her brother had travelled from Dublin that day, and were due to fly to Glasgow directly after their performance in Omagh to appear on stage with American singer/songwriter, Nancy Griffiths, that evening.
"Our flight for Glasgow leaves Belfast at 8pm, but we have been told they will delay it for 15 minutes. As soon as we get off the stage in Omagh, at around 7pm, we will be given a police escort all the way to the airport to get our flight," she said.
"Despite our hectic arrangements we are very happy to be in Omagh to perform the song on such a poignant night.
"The song was written by Tommy Sands and mentions the Enniskillen bomb, and Marie Wilson, the youngest person to die that day. Marie's father was a good friend of Tommy's and he felt moved by the events surrounding the bombing," she said.
"The chorus is very poignant at this time."
It goes: 'Like the first time it's Christmas time, I feel it in the breeze, and all over Ireland, they're singing for peace, like the first time it's Christmas time, standing by your side, singing with the children 'silent night'.
Youth Choir
The Omagh Community Youth Choir sang the title track of the Omagh album, "Across the Bridge of Hope", conducted by Geraldine Madden, and accompanied on the keyboard by Declan McKeever, both music teachers at the Christian Brothers Grammar School.
Praising the school children on their efforts, Miss Madden said they had worked very hard since deciding to record the song, which is based on a poem by young bomb victim Sean McLaughlin, from Buncrana.
Speaking after their performance some of the members of the choir said it had been a nerve-wracking experience.
"We were very nervous performing in front of so many people," said Omagh Academy pupil, Charlene Bleakley.
Joined at the front of the stage by some of her fellow choir members, Pamela Kenwell, of Omagh High School, Lindsay Alexander, of Omagh Academy, and Eleanor O'Neill, of Loreto Grammar School. Charlene said that the choir was made up of pupils from the Academy, St Brigid's High School, Omagh High School, Loreto Grammar School, St Patrick's High School, Drumragh College and the Christian Brothers Grammar School.
"We have been rehearsing the song for about a month now, and recording it for the album on November 1, at the studios in Randalstown," she said.
The Chevys provided the musical backdrop to the breath taking laser light show.
People were literally dancing in the streets as lead singer, Mickey Sands and his band played a selection of popular Christmas hits for the appreciative crowd.
Cheers greeted Santa Claus, who made a dramatic appearance on top of the Post Office, before joining the Chevys on stage.
Life size cartoon characters made their way through the crowd and danced with onlookers.
To rapturous cheers the star of the evening, Daniel O'Donnell , then appeared on stage, and following a countdown from 10 to one, he flicked the switch which brought on the breath-taking display, the focal point of which was the word 'Peace' emblazoned in large white lights on the Courthouse.
Daniel told the thousands of onlookers that he did not know what to say to them but he would listen.
Positive
"If it does you good to speak then there are ears all over Ireland that will listen," he said. "This is a poignant time for Omagh and the world is looking on. This is the time to project a positive view of the town."
Thanking everyone involved in organising the event, the singer said it was a great privilege for him to be there.
"I hope that my presence will be of support to you at this time. Above all the places in the world this year, Omagh, you deserve some happiness. No one will blame you for having a bit of happiness this Christmas. You deserve it."
Before singing a number of songs, he began with "Beyond the Great Divide," which he recorded for the Omagh album, "Across the Bridge of Hope".
Accompanied by guitarist, John Stanton, in the stage outside the Courthouse, he entertained the vast crowd which stretched all the way down High Street, as far back as the 'Supervalu' store.
The Chief Executive of Omagh District Council, Mr John McKinney, who made a presentation to Daniel, thanked everyone who had made the night such a success.
"And to each and everyone of you in the audience, I say thank you for being here tonight. Let's stay together and work together to rebuild Omagh," he said.
The evening ended with a performance by entertainer, Rock Stewart.
Earlier in the evening, the Traders' Association chairman, Mr Roy Allen, insisited that the draw for a holiday in New York be made again after it was won by his wife, Hazel. On the the second draw the winner was Natalie Elliot, of Old Mountfield Road, Omagh.
Meanwhile, Omagh District Council has erected new Christmas lights in the town this year.
According to Mr Kevin O'Gara, chief of client services at the Council, this was done to help lift the spirits of the local community at the end of a year which brought immense suffering and sadness to the area.
"The supply of new lights would not have been possible without the assistance of Supervalu, Omagh, who contributed �25,000 towards the cost of them," said Mr O'Gara.
The manager of Supervalu Omagh, Mr John Wallace, said that the store was priviledged to be associated with any effort to try to bring some brightness and happiness to the town, with the earnest hope of a better future.
OMAGH was in the spotlight once again as the world's media converged on High Street on Thursday night to witness the switching-on of the Christmas lights. Almost 10,000 people crowded into the town centre, which was given, an injection, of Christmas cheer, when Donegal-born singing star, Daniel O'Donnell, flicked the switch to illuminate the streets with festive lights.
The theme of this year's Christmas in the town is 'Out of the darkness came light', marking the tragic events which occurred in the town in August, when 29 people were killed and more than 200 were injured, and the positive approaches which are being taken to rebuild the community.
Describing the event as a "watershed", Mr. Roy Allen, chairman of 'Omagh Traders' Association, said it was the first step back to normality for Omagh and its inhabitants.
"It was totally inspiring to see so many people out on the streets. It is a good example of what a community can do when it pulls together. It adds more meaning to the theme of this year's celebrations," said Mr. Allen, who thanked all those involved in making the event such a success.
His words were echoed by the compere for the evening, Mr. Pio McCann, who said the "unbelievable turnout" was the boost Omagh needed.
"From the darkness of the past three months Omagh is coming into the light. Many of the people who were killed or injured were standing on these streets on that day. We remember them and their loved ones," said the Highland Radio DJ and former Omagh showband member, whose daughter, Diane, was badly injured in the Market Street explosion.
"The world will never forget the events of that day, and Omagh will never forget. Omagh needs everyone's support," said Mr. McCann, who appealed for everyone to 'Give a day to Omagh'.
"This night will go down in history. It will be a night that people will tell their children and grandchildren about."
The centre of the town was transformed with a carnival-like atmosphere and as far as the eye could see there were balloons and novelty toys held aloft and waved furiously.
Spirits high
The temperature may have been low, but spirits were high, as the crowd patiently waited for the appearance of Daniel O'Donnell.
The evening's proceedings began with a heart rending performance by the Voices for Peace choir, a group made up of children from Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow, Meath and Carlow, and joined, on Thursday night, by schoolchildren from Omagh's Gibson and St. Colmcille's Primary Schools.
Representing Omagh Churches Forum, Rev. Peter Good and Fr. Michael Keaveny, spoke of the need for people of Omagh to open the door to a new future.
Mr. Good encouraged people not to'cancel' Christmas but to celebrate it.
"Christmas will be difficult this year, we will be marking it with a sense of sadness but we should also focus on the things that are precious to us. We should be encouraged by the courage of those who have suffered, the bereaved and the injured. They are a shining example to us all," he said.
Reiterating Mr Good's sentiments, Fr. Keavney urged people to "welcome in the light."
"The hope is that the people of Omagh will open the door to a new future in this town. The cry of the people of Omagh is 'open the door and let the light in'," he said.
Renowned folk singer/songwriters, Dolores and Sean Keane took time out from their hectic schedule to perform the single "Like The First Time Its Christmas Time", the proceeds of which are going to the Omagh Fund.
Dolores, explained that she and her brother had travelled from Dublin that day, and were due to fly to Glasgow directly after their performance in Omagh to appear on stage with American singer/songwriter, Nancy Griffiths, that evening.
"Our flight for Glasgow leaves Belfast at 8pm, but we have been told they will delay it for 15 minutes. As soon as we get off the stage in Omagh, at around 7pm, we will be given a police escort all the way to the airport to get our flight," she said.
"Despite our hectic arrangements we are very happy to be in Omagh to perform the song on such a poignant night.
"The song was written by Tommy Sands and mentions the Enniskillen bomb, and Marie Wilson, the youngest person to die that day. Marie's father was a good friend of Tommy's and he felt moved by the events surrounding the bombing," she said.
"The chorus is very poignant at this time."
It goes: 'Like the first time it's Christmas time, I feel it in the breeze, and all over Ireland, they're singing for peace, like the first time it's Christmas time, standing by your side, singing with the children 'silent night'.
Youth Choir
The Omagh Community Youth Choir sang the title track of the Omagh album, "Across the Bridge of Hope", conducted by Geraldine Madden, and accompanied on the keyboard by Declan McKeever, both music teachers at the Christian Brothers Grammar School.
Praising the school children on their efforts, Miss Madden said they had worked very hard since deciding to record the song, which is based on a poem by young bomb victim Sean McLaughlin, from Buncrana.
Speaking after their performance some of the members of the choir said it had been a nerve-wracking experience.
"We were very nervous performing in front of so many people," said Omagh Academy pupil, Charlene Bleakley.
Joined at the front of the stage by some of her fellow choir members, Pamela Kenwell, of Omagh High School, Lindsay Alexander, of Omagh Academy, and Eleanor O'Neill, of Loreto Grammar School. Charlene said that the choir was made up of pupils from the Academy, St Brigid's High School, Omagh High School, Loreto Grammar School, St Patrick's High School, Drumragh College and the Christian Brothers Grammar School.
"We have been rehearsing the song for about a month now, and recording it for the album on November 1, at the studios in Randalstown," she said.
The Chevys provided the musical backdrop to the breath taking laser light show.
People were literally dancing in the streets as lead singer, Mickey Sands and his band played a selection of popular Christmas hits for the appreciative crowd.
Cheers greeted Santa Claus, who made a dramatic appearance on top of the Post Office, before joining the Chevys on stage.
Life size cartoon characters made their way through the crowd and danced with onlookers.
To rapturous cheers the star of the evening, Daniel O'Donnell , then appeared on stage, and following a countdown from 10 to one, he flicked the switch which brought on the breath-taking display, the focal point of which was the word 'Peace' emblazoned in large white lights on the Courthouse.
Daniel told the thousands of onlookers that he did not know what to say to them but he would listen.
Positive
"If it does you good to speak then there are ears all over Ireland that will listen," he said. "This is a poignant time for Omagh and the world is looking on. This is the time to project a positive view of the town."
Thanking everyone involved in organising the event, the singer said it was a great privilege for him to be there.
"I hope that my presence will be of support to you at this time. Above all the places in the world this year, Omagh, you deserve some happiness. No one will blame you for having a bit of happiness this Christmas. You deserve it."
Before singing a number of songs, he began with "Beyond the Great Divide," which he recorded for the Omagh album, "Across the Bridge of Hope".
Accompanied by guitarist, John Stanton, in the stage outside the Courthouse, he entertained the vast crowd which stretched all the way down High Street, as far back as the 'Supervalu' store.
The Chief Executive of Omagh District Council, Mr John McKinney, who made a presentation to Daniel, thanked everyone who had made the night such a success.
"And to each and everyone of you in the audience, I say thank you for being here tonight. Let's stay together and work together to rebuild Omagh," he said.
The evening ended with a performance by entertainer, Rock Stewart.
Earlier in the evening, the Traders' Association chairman, Mr Roy Allen, insisited that the draw for a holiday in New York be made again after it was won by his wife, Hazel. On the the second draw the winner was Natalie Elliot, of Old Mountfield Road, Omagh.
Meanwhile, Omagh District Council has erected new Christmas lights in the town this year.
According to Mr Kevin O'Gara, chief of client services at the Council, this was done to help lift the spirits of the local community at the end of a year which brought immense suffering and sadness to the area.
"The supply of new lights would not have been possible without the assistance of Supervalu, Omagh, who contributed �25,000 towards the cost of them," said Mr O'Gara.
The manager of Supervalu Omagh, Mr John Wallace, said that the store was priviledged to be associated with any effort to try to bring some brightness and happiness to the town, with the earnest hope of a better future.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0791
Published Date: 03-Dec-98
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