TC/0810

Hundreds of visitors show their support for people of Omagh

OMAGH town centre was bustling again on Saturday with visitors galore wearing badges declaring: 'I Gave A Day To Omagh'. Around 600 people from District Partnerships all over the Province showed their support for the people of the town, along with 200 well wishers from the Republic of Ireland.
And a group from the Glenarm Community Development Association in Co. Antrim, who recently held a dance and raffle in aid of Omagh, presented a cheque for £1,200 to the Omagh Fund.
Omagh District Partnership played a central role in organising the event, which attracted representatives from 13 District Partnerships across Northern Ireland, including Belfast. Armagh. Coleraine and Newry.
The idea of encouraging the associations to take part in the campaign was the brainchild of Mr Jack Deans, chairman of the North Down District Partnership - the group which had the largest turnout of 120 representatives.
The visitors were formally welcomed by supporters of the 'Give A Day To Omagh' campaign in the ballroom of the Royal Arms Hotel, which was packed to capacity.
Campaign co-ordinator. Mr Patrick Bogues, said the visitors had provided a much needed boost for the town.
"Although Christmas is a very important time for traders, 'Give A Day To Omagh' is a campaign of the heart, and not one of the wallet. The people who visit the town are helping us to take the first steps back to normality, and their presence will also encourage local people to return." he said.
Mr Harry Parkinson, Omagh District Partnership project manager, thanked all the District Partnerships for backing the campaign so whole heartedly.
"We are very pleased, and almost overwhelmed, by the sheer numbers of people who took time out to visit Omagh. We would also like to thank Translink and the individual District Partnerships who all contributed to the costs," he said.
Mr Parkinson also thanked the staff of the Ulster American Folk Park, which is normally closed during the weekends in winter. However, on Saturday, the gates of the museum were open to guests who wished to visit the attractions free of chares.
The visitors were also welcomed by Mr Drew Baxter, chairman of the Omagh District Partnership, who said he was delighted with the turnout. Guest speaker was Mr Jim Dougal, head of the European Commission Office.
Also at the reception were Mr Joe Byrne, from Northern Ireland District Partnership Board. Mr Michael Gaine, president of Omagh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), Mr Nicholas O'Shiel, OCCI, Mr Patrick Bogues, co-ordinator of the 'Give A Day To Omagh' campaign, and Mr Roy Allen, chairman of Omagh Traders Association.
Mr Allen expressed his gratitude to the visitors by saying: "We are very impressed and grateful for the response we have had to this campaign, and hope it will continue well into the new year."
And he added that he had been deeply touched by the support for Omagh which the visitors had shown.
"The goodwill that exists for the people of the town is heart warming and shows that it is possible for the town to be reborn foll6wing such tragedy," he said.
'Give A Day To Omagh' is an open invitation to the people to come and spend a day in Omagh town centre, particularly in the run up to Christmas, to support the local community in the aftermath of the bomb. The initiative is supported by local business, church and community groups.