WINDOW OF HOPE INSPIRED BY OMAGH'S DARKEST DAY
Window of Hope' inspired by Omagh's darkest day
by Julie Moore
ELEVEN years on from Omagh's darkest day, relatives of some of those killed or injured in the Omagh bomb came together on Sunday to unveil a 'Window of Hope'.
The stained glass window - a joint venture between families of the Omagh bomb of August 15, 1998, and the Claudy bomb of July 1972, and assisted by Jeanette Warke of the Shared City Project - was unveiled in Omagh library on Sunday during a moving service to mark the 11th anniversary of the Omagh bomb atrocity.
The window is one of four art pieces which have been inspired by those who, over the years, have had to come to terms with the loss of loved ones in the aftermath of the bombs of Claudy and Omagh.
Other identical Windows of Hope have been designed to be unveiled in Buncrana, Claudy and Madrid, Spain, signifying the link each of these areas have in the aftermath of both tragedies, as well as sending out a message of hope for the future to all those affected by the troubles of Northern Ireland.
Relatives and friends from Omagh and Claudy congregated at the Memorial Garden on Sunday afternoon, along with others from Buncrana - including Mayor of Buncrana, Lee Tedstone - and from as far away as Cork.
Manager of the Mahon Community Centre in Douglas, Cork, Denis Coffey, who was in attendance on Sunday, told the Tyrone Constitution that a peace garden had been opened on the anniversary of the Omagh bomb last year, in memory of those who lost their lives.
"The Omagh Peace Garden at our centre is visited by people from all over the south of Ireland, it is maintained on a daily basis, and was officially opened last year on the 10th anniversary by Professor Paddy Gray of the University of Ulster," explained Mr Coffey. "All the names of those who lost their lives on that sad day are engraved in stone. I was in Omagh three weeks before the atrocity, and have come back every year since."
Single roses, bouquets of flowers and wreaths were individually laid at the Memorial Garden before those present made their way to Omagh library, where they were greeted by music played by St Eugene's Brass Band. At the memorial garden suitable music was provided by flautist, Drew McGowan.
Billy Jameson, acting chairman of Omagh Support and Self Help Group (OSSHG), greeted all those who had gathered in the library and paid tribute to members of St Eugene's Band, adding that their music added to the occasion.
Acknowledging the work of Jeanette Warke and relatives of the Omagh and Claudy victims, Mr Jameson said the finished pieces were "an example of what can be achieved when people come together."
Stating that it had been a "great honour and a privilege" to work with the Claudy and Omagh families in a variety of creative workshops for the four windows, Jeanette Warke said she hoped the project in some way "afforded them temporary relief from their troubles and pain as they continue to deal with the loss of their loved ones in the horrific aftermath of the bombs of Claudy and Omagh."
Adding that it had been a most humbling experience for her personally, Ms Warke said the project offered families the opportunity to express their feelings, and went some way to assist them in their healing process.
A series of images and emblems for the window were chosen by families including butterflies, symbolising how fragile life is, a candle, symbolising the light of God, the image of the sun, symbolising light and hope, a lily, a symbol of the loss and sadness suffered in the hope that inner peace will follow, and an iris, a symbol of faith, hope, wisdom and courage which has been displayed by all those who suffered.
A picture of the clock face of Omagh courthouse is also depicted in the window, showing the time of 3.10pm, when the bomb erupted in Omagh that fateful day - and time stood still.
Commending the families on their "dedication and inspiration", Ms Warke also paid tribute to Joan Clements, of Community Relations Council (CRC), which part-funded the project.
"I hope people can take some comfort from viewing these beautiful stained glass windows and that the love with which they were designed will shine out to all the world. For me, if there has been any healing, then it has been worthwhile."
Addressing those present on Sunday, Omagh District Council chairman, Paddy McGowan, said he was "deeply moved" by the completed work, and added it was appropriate the window should be placed in a public place such as the library so that it could be viewed by the whole community.
He said: "I myself will never forget the events of 11 years ago and will be forever saddened that human beings can inflict such suffering on others."
After a poem entitled 'The clock of life' was read by Georgina Walker, whose sister-in-law, Ann McCombe, was killed in the Omagh bomb, the colourful glass window was unveiled by Georgina, along with Kathleen Martin, whose daughter was injured.
A poem entitled 'Justice, Peace, Truth and Love' was then read by Edmund Gibson, and a personal blessing in Spanish was read by Aiden Skelton.
A roll of honour to remember those were killed on August 15, 1998, was then read out, after which a minutes silence was observed.
The silence was broken once more by St Eugene's Brass Band and a rendition of 'You Lift Me Up'.
Pax Christi members then recited in Irish a poem 'The seed is Christ', after which, Kim Dickinson sang 'In the Arms of an Angel' brought to an end a moving service in memory of those whose lives were so cruelly taken away 11 years ago.
Individual Windows of Hope are to unveiled in the Diamond Centre, Claudy, and a location in Madrid, later this month.
by Julie Moore
ELEVEN years on from Omagh's darkest day, relatives of some of those killed or injured in the Omagh bomb came together on Sunday to unveil a 'Window of Hope'.
The stained glass window - a joint venture between families of the Omagh bomb of August 15, 1998, and the Claudy bomb of July 1972, and assisted by Jeanette Warke of the Shared City Project - was unveiled in Omagh library on Sunday during a moving service to mark the 11th anniversary of the Omagh bomb atrocity.
The window is one of four art pieces which have been inspired by those who, over the years, have had to come to terms with the loss of loved ones in the aftermath of the bombs of Claudy and Omagh.
Other identical Windows of Hope have been designed to be unveiled in Buncrana, Claudy and Madrid, Spain, signifying the link each of these areas have in the aftermath of both tragedies, as well as sending out a message of hope for the future to all those affected by the troubles of Northern Ireland.
Relatives and friends from Omagh and Claudy congregated at the Memorial Garden on Sunday afternoon, along with others from Buncrana - including Mayor of Buncrana, Lee Tedstone - and from as far away as Cork.
Manager of the Mahon Community Centre in Douglas, Cork, Denis Coffey, who was in attendance on Sunday, told the Tyrone Constitution that a peace garden had been opened on the anniversary of the Omagh bomb last year, in memory of those who lost their lives.
"The Omagh Peace Garden at our centre is visited by people from all over the south of Ireland, it is maintained on a daily basis, and was officially opened last year on the 10th anniversary by Professor Paddy Gray of the University of Ulster," explained Mr Coffey. "All the names of those who lost their lives on that sad day are engraved in stone. I was in Omagh three weeks before the atrocity, and have come back every year since."
Single roses, bouquets of flowers and wreaths were individually laid at the Memorial Garden before those present made their way to Omagh library, where they were greeted by music played by St Eugene's Brass Band. At the memorial garden suitable music was provided by flautist, Drew McGowan.
Billy Jameson, acting chairman of Omagh Support and Self Help Group (OSSHG), greeted all those who had gathered in the library and paid tribute to members of St Eugene's Band, adding that their music added to the occasion.
Acknowledging the work of Jeanette Warke and relatives of the Omagh and Claudy victims, Mr Jameson said the finished pieces were "an example of what can be achieved when people come together."
Stating that it had been a "great honour and a privilege" to work with the Claudy and Omagh families in a variety of creative workshops for the four windows, Jeanette Warke said she hoped the project in some way "afforded them temporary relief from their troubles and pain as they continue to deal with the loss of their loved ones in the horrific aftermath of the bombs of Claudy and Omagh."
Adding that it had been a most humbling experience for her personally, Ms Warke said the project offered families the opportunity to express their feelings, and went some way to assist them in their healing process.
A series of images and emblems for the window were chosen by families including butterflies, symbolising how fragile life is, a candle, symbolising the light of God, the image of the sun, symbolising light and hope, a lily, a symbol of the loss and sadness suffered in the hope that inner peace will follow, and an iris, a symbol of faith, hope, wisdom and courage which has been displayed by all those who suffered.
A picture of the clock face of Omagh courthouse is also depicted in the window, showing the time of 3.10pm, when the bomb erupted in Omagh that fateful day - and time stood still.
Commending the families on their "dedication and inspiration", Ms Warke also paid tribute to Joan Clements, of Community Relations Council (CRC), which part-funded the project.
"I hope people can take some comfort from viewing these beautiful stained glass windows and that the love with which they were designed will shine out to all the world. For me, if there has been any healing, then it has been worthwhile."
Addressing those present on Sunday, Omagh District Council chairman, Paddy McGowan, said he was "deeply moved" by the completed work, and added it was appropriate the window should be placed in a public place such as the library so that it could be viewed by the whole community.
He said: "I myself will never forget the events of 11 years ago and will be forever saddened that human beings can inflict such suffering on others."
After a poem entitled 'The clock of life' was read by Georgina Walker, whose sister-in-law, Ann McCombe, was killed in the Omagh bomb, the colourful glass window was unveiled by Georgina, along with Kathleen Martin, whose daughter was injured.
A poem entitled 'Justice, Peace, Truth and Love' was then read by Edmund Gibson, and a personal blessing in Spanish was read by Aiden Skelton.
A roll of honour to remember those were killed on August 15, 1998, was then read out, after which a minutes silence was observed.
The silence was broken once more by St Eugene's Brass Band and a rendition of 'You Lift Me Up'.
Pax Christi members then recited in Irish a poem 'The seed is Christ', after which, Kim Dickinson sang 'In the Arms of an Angel' brought to an end a moving service in memory of those whose lives were so cruelly taken away 11 years ago.
Individual Windows of Hope are to unveiled in the Diamond Centre, Claudy, and a location in Madrid, later this month.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1986
Published Date: 20-Aug-09
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