OMAGH BOMB FLORAL TRIBUTES ARE EXPRESSION OF HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
Omagh bomb floral tributes are expression of hope for the future, says McAleese
THE Irish President, Mary McAleese, officially opened the 'Petals of Hope: Rays of Light' exhibition in Dublin's central library at the ILAC Centre.
The exhibition, which is a tribute to the victims of the Omagh bombing, has already been successfully staged in Omagh, Buncrana and Belfast.
Reflecting on the August 15 atrocity in Omagh, Mrs. McAleese paid tribute to the immense strength and determination of the people of Omagh.
"The thousands of flowers, and the hundreds of books of condolence signed by over two million people, were indeed petals of hope and rays of light," she said.
"Hope for a better future. Light to banish the long, dark years of violence and division.
"The spirit behind them lives on in the artwork that makes up this exhibition. Carole Kane and those who worked so successfully with her have created a lasting and fitting memorial to the victims of the bomb. A memorial that sits well beside the work of John McKinney and the Omagh Fund, which has done, and which continues to do so much good work," she said.
Mr. McKinney, the chief executive of Omagh District Council, thanked Mrs. McAleese for attending and opening the exhibition, and went on to acknowledge the support of the people of the South of Ireland for the people of Omagh in the aftermath of the bomb.
So far the response to the exhibition has been phenomenal. Thousands of people have had the opportunity to view the art created. from the masses of bouquets of flowers left in Omagh in the weeks following the bombing.
The exhibition will be on display in Dublin until Sunday.
THE Irish President, Mary McAleese, officially opened the 'Petals of Hope: Rays of Light' exhibition in Dublin's central library at the ILAC Centre.
The exhibition, which is a tribute to the victims of the Omagh bombing, has already been successfully staged in Omagh, Buncrana and Belfast.
Reflecting on the August 15 atrocity in Omagh, Mrs. McAleese paid tribute to the immense strength and determination of the people of Omagh.
"The thousands of flowers, and the hundreds of books of condolence signed by over two million people, were indeed petals of hope and rays of light," she said.
"Hope for a better future. Light to banish the long, dark years of violence and division.
"The spirit behind them lives on in the artwork that makes up this exhibition. Carole Kane and those who worked so successfully with her have created a lasting and fitting memorial to the victims of the bomb. A memorial that sits well beside the work of John McKinney and the Omagh Fund, which has done, and which continues to do so much good work," she said.
Mr. McKinney, the chief executive of Omagh District Council, thanked Mrs. McAleese for attending and opening the exhibition, and went on to acknowledge the support of the people of the South of Ireland for the people of Omagh in the aftermath of the bomb.
So far the response to the exhibition has been phenomenal. Thousands of people have had the opportunity to view the art created. from the masses of bouquets of flowers left in Omagh in the weeks following the bombing.
The exhibition will be on display in Dublin until Sunday.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1371
Published Date: 22-Jul-99
Related Images
