OMAGH LOOKS BACK AND FORWARD AT TURN OF CENTURY
Omagh looks back and forward at the turn of the century
As the town was closing down for the holiday weekend, the people of Omagh came together in their thousands to reflect on the outgoing millennium.
It would have been easy to have been overwhelmed by the hype that surrounded the passing of 1999 and to forget its religious significance. It was with this in mind that the 'Last Light of the Old Millennium' service was arranged. Following services in St Columba's Parish Church, Omagh Methodist Church, Sacred Heart Church and First Omagh Presbyterian Church, the special service was held by Omagh Churches' Forum, which had been trying to make the church more visible in the community, to emphasise the Christian aspect of the millennium, the passing of two thousand years since the birth of Christ.
As the shops shut and the light faded, townspeople gathered outside the Tourist Information Office to participate in the service which combined prayer and song.
Singing was led by schoolchildren and local artist, Dominic Kirwan who gave a rendition of the recent number one hit by Cliff Richard , 'Millennium Prayer'.
As the sun set for the last time in the millennium, a beacon, specially erected for the service, was lit by the council chairman Mr Allan Rainey and vice-chairman, Mr Liam McQuaid.
Lanterns were then lit to take down Market Street to the Garden of Remembrance to light a flame the Omagh bomb. The service signified a hope for a better future.
Speaking about the service Canon Charles Leeke, rector of St Columba's, said: "It is a great mark of Omagh that we were able to come together not just as churches, but in an open and obvious way with a Christian message."
Later on that evening the celebrations got further underway as both young and old set out to mark the dawn of the new millennium.
The bars in the town began to fill early as friends gathered to celebrate the special night.
Houses were full to bursting as parties got into swing and, as the clock struck midnight, fireworks could be seen lighting the sky across the area.
Millennium fever hit everyone this New Year as people celebrated in their own way. Whether it was an evening with family and friends or a night out on the tiles, Friday December 31, 1999 will be remembered by many as a very special time.
As the town was closing down for the holiday weekend, the people of Omagh came together in their thousands to reflect on the outgoing millennium.
It would have been easy to have been overwhelmed by the hype that surrounded the passing of 1999 and to forget its religious significance. It was with this in mind that the 'Last Light of the Old Millennium' service was arranged. Following services in St Columba's Parish Church, Omagh Methodist Church, Sacred Heart Church and First Omagh Presbyterian Church, the special service was held by Omagh Churches' Forum, which had been trying to make the church more visible in the community, to emphasise the Christian aspect of the millennium, the passing of two thousand years since the birth of Christ.
As the shops shut and the light faded, townspeople gathered outside the Tourist Information Office to participate in the service which combined prayer and song.
Singing was led by schoolchildren and local artist, Dominic Kirwan who gave a rendition of the recent number one hit by Cliff Richard , 'Millennium Prayer'.
As the sun set for the last time in the millennium, a beacon, specially erected for the service, was lit by the council chairman Mr Allan Rainey and vice-chairman, Mr Liam McQuaid.
Lanterns were then lit to take down Market Street to the Garden of Remembrance to light a flame the Omagh bomb. The service signified a hope for a better future.
Speaking about the service Canon Charles Leeke, rector of St Columba's, said: "It is a great mark of Omagh that we were able to come together not just as churches, but in an open and obvious way with a Christian message."
Later on that evening the celebrations got further underway as both young and old set out to mark the dawn of the new millennium.
The bars in the town began to fill early as friends gathered to celebrate the special night.
Houses were full to bursting as parties got into swing and, as the clock struck midnight, fireworks could be seen lighting the sky across the area.
Millennium fever hit everyone this New Year as people celebrated in their own way. Whether it was an evening with family and friends or a night out on the tiles, Friday December 31, 1999 will be remembered by many as a very special time.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1422
Published Date: 06-Jan-00
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