STRANDED US DANCERS SAY THANK-YOU
Stranded US dancers say thank-you for kindness shown
MEMBERS of an American dance team are finally winging their way home today (Thursday) after having been stranded in Omagh for a week after all flights between Europe and the USA were cancelled.
The Bailey Mountain Cloggers had been in Omagh to take part in the Bluegrass Festival at the Ulster American Folk Park.
On Tuesday of last week they travelled to Dublin to do some shopping, expecting to fly out on Wednesday.
While in Dublin they learned the devastating news that their country had been attacked by terrorists.
Understandably there was anxiety and fears for the young people about relatives and loved ones. Emotions were running wild as they gathered around payphones to make contact.
And, as team member Clay Vassey put it: "The recording on the phones 'due to the tragedy in the United States you may experience difficulty placing this call' made me realise this was a stressful time for not only Americans, but the rest of the world".
Once their concerns for immediate family members and friends had been reassured, outside of natural concern for their fellow-Americans, the team members realised they were stranded in an unfamiliar country.
That is when staff at the Ulster American Folk Park stepped in and the group was able to return to Omagh for what, at that stage, looked like being a unknown period of time.
Managing director, teacher and choreographer Gay Lefford explained: The manager of the Western Education Board residential centre at the folk park, Derek Evans, had travelled with us to Dublin. Our leaders and some of our young adults had come to know him in recent years, and he kindly arranged for a board bus to take us back to the residential centre.
Efficient
"In his quiet and efficient manner, Derek made my job much easier. All of our students have the utmost respect for him."
Accommodation and meals were provided for the group of almost 30 at the residential centre.
Team member Mandy Austin commented: "The kindness that we have been shown by everyone is unbelievable. They have all made us feel as close to our homes as possible."
And typical Tyrone hospitality was extended to the team by many local groups and organisations. The team members have thanked the many who helped in their time of need, and the folk park for taking a collection.
They were also able to use the computer facilities at the folk park to keep up with studies.
In an ironic twist of fate, the dance team's first visit to the Ulster American Folk Park was in 1998, just after the Omagh bombing.
Said one of the group members: "After that tragedy we raised funds back home and returned the following year when we presented a cheque to the memorial fund. Now, during our third visit, the United States has suffered at the hands of terrorists, but help and support has been returned threefold."
Added Clay Vassey: "Although the students want to get home to their families, they intend to let everyone know how well they had been treated by all those with whom they have come into contact during our extended stay in this country."
Said the group: "The Bailey Mountain Cloggers will never forget the hospitality and concern that was shown by the people of Ireland."
And chaperone Jean Langrehr wrote a special poem of thanks:
A Thank You to Ireland
I want to put my arms around Ireland
The way she put her arms around me
When I was a stranger among hers
She treated me like family
Although there is an ocean between us
We won't ever be far apart
Because I will carry my memories
Of Ireland always in my heart.
MEMBERS of an American dance team are finally winging their way home today (Thursday) after having been stranded in Omagh for a week after all flights between Europe and the USA were cancelled.
The Bailey Mountain Cloggers had been in Omagh to take part in the Bluegrass Festival at the Ulster American Folk Park.
On Tuesday of last week they travelled to Dublin to do some shopping, expecting to fly out on Wednesday.
While in Dublin they learned the devastating news that their country had been attacked by terrorists.
Understandably there was anxiety and fears for the young people about relatives and loved ones. Emotions were running wild as they gathered around payphones to make contact.
And, as team member Clay Vassey put it: "The recording on the phones 'due to the tragedy in the United States you may experience difficulty placing this call' made me realise this was a stressful time for not only Americans, but the rest of the world".
Once their concerns for immediate family members and friends had been reassured, outside of natural concern for their fellow-Americans, the team members realised they were stranded in an unfamiliar country.
That is when staff at the Ulster American Folk Park stepped in and the group was able to return to Omagh for what, at that stage, looked like being a unknown period of time.
Managing director, teacher and choreographer Gay Lefford explained: The manager of the Western Education Board residential centre at the folk park, Derek Evans, had travelled with us to Dublin. Our leaders and some of our young adults had come to know him in recent years, and he kindly arranged for a board bus to take us back to the residential centre.
Efficient
"In his quiet and efficient manner, Derek made my job much easier. All of our students have the utmost respect for him."
Accommodation and meals were provided for the group of almost 30 at the residential centre.
Team member Mandy Austin commented: "The kindness that we have been shown by everyone is unbelievable. They have all made us feel as close to our homes as possible."
And typical Tyrone hospitality was extended to the team by many local groups and organisations. The team members have thanked the many who helped in their time of need, and the folk park for taking a collection.
They were also able to use the computer facilities at the folk park to keep up with studies.
In an ironic twist of fate, the dance team's first visit to the Ulster American Folk Park was in 1998, just after the Omagh bombing.
Said one of the group members: "After that tragedy we raised funds back home and returned the following year when we presented a cheque to the memorial fund. Now, during our third visit, the United States has suffered at the hands of terrorists, but help and support has been returned threefold."
Added Clay Vassey: "Although the students want to get home to their families, they intend to let everyone know how well they had been treated by all those with whom they have come into contact during our extended stay in this country."
Said the group: "The Bailey Mountain Cloggers will never forget the hospitality and concern that was shown by the people of Ireland."
And chaperone Jean Langrehr wrote a special poem of thanks:
A Thank You to Ireland
I want to put my arms around Ireland
The way she put her arms around me
When I was a stranger among hers
She treated me like family
Although there is an ocean between us
We won't ever be far apart
Because I will carry my memories
Of Ireland always in my heart.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0936
Published Date: 20-Sep-01
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