TC/1055

Photo exhibition captures the 'stunning' new face of Omagh
by David Killen

THE 'stunning' transformation of Omagh's Market Street/Dublin Road area has been captured in a new photographic
exhibition in the town.
The transformation has taken place in the almost four years since the Market Street/Dublin Road junction was devastated by the 1998 Real IRA bomb.
The exhibition, in the gallery above the Tourist Information Centre, shows the good use to which £900,000 in Heritage Lottery Funding money was put.
While reconstruction of the area was necessitated by the bomb blast, the series of 'before and after' photographs shows just how much more attractive the area is now.
The transformation was spearheaded by Omagh Heritage Initiative Company, which was set up prior to the bomb attack. The aim then was to look at ways of improving the appearance of the town, but that was a task given a greater focus and drive after the bombing.
The company applied to the Heritage Lottery Fund and was awarded £900,000.
At the launch of the exhibition on Monday, Mr. Kevin O'Gara, the company chairman, said a great deal of work had been done by a lot of people to ensure that the area was designed ad reconstructed to the highest architectural standards, and to fully embrace the principles of town heritage initiative.
He said the initiative was a partnership between the business sector, community sector, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the property owners.
"This relationship has not been without problems, but in the end mutual satisfaction was always achieved," he said.
Proud
He said the company could feel collectively proud of what had been achieved, and he said that nothing could have been achieved without the agreement of the property owners and the care and attention of the architects.
He pointed out two major changes in the new Market Street scene. During the design work, the opportunity had been taken to widen the bottom of Market Street by setting back the J. B. Anderson buildings and those opposite it. This had created a more open entrance to one of the main gateways to the town centre.
On the other side of the street the new Community House was taking shape, Mr O'Gara said. The Omagh Heritage Company had supported this project from the beginning.
"At the early stages of developing the project, a Government official expressed reservations about the proposed shared development. He indicated that in his experience during the 30 years of the Troubles, this type of facility had never reached fruition stage. It is pleasing to see that the people of Omagh have proved this theory wrong," he said.
He went on: "The development of the Community House is a very positive statement about how the people of Omagh have been able to cope with the tragedy of the past by rebuilding and providing hope for the future."
He said this would not have happened but for the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and conservation grants. The fund had granted £900,000, at the time the largest single grant to one time, while £125,000 had come from the Planning Service's conservation grant.
Mr. Danny McSorley, chief executive of Omagh District Council, said the council had been pleased to work in partnership with other groups. He said that the scheme would make a positive contribution to the heritage of Omagh.
Key centre
He added that the council saw the regeneration as a means of promoting Omagh as a key centre in the region.
Mr McSorley said a number of projects were now coming together to show a new face for the town centre. The churches area had already received a facelift, and this was to be carried through to other parts of the town centre. In addition the river walk and arts centre project would be completed by 2004.
Ms. Primrose Wilson, of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said what had been achieved at Market Street was "stunning".
She said the changes over the past six months had been enormous, and were a credit to all involved.
She said the Heritage Lottery Fund had contributed £62 million to 234 projects in Northern Ireland.
The money had gone to projects that included the repair of historic buildings and appropriate new buildings in gap sites as well as new uses for historic buildings.
As well as the Community House, 10 properties have benefited from the funding.
The differences in the streetscape can be clearly seen in the photographic display. Many of the before and after photographs were taken by local photographer, Donnie McGale.