THOUSANDS EXPECTED TO ATTEND FIRST ANNIVERSARY SERVICES
Thousands expected to attend first anniversary ceremonies
By JOHN McCUSKER
All events have been 'carefully and sensitively' arranged
THOUSANDS are expected to take part in this weekend's emotional ceremonies to mark the first anniversary of the Omagh bombing.
The services will commemorate the tragic events of August 15 last year when 29 people and unborn twins were killed in a real IRA bomb in Market Street.
Church bells will ring out and a minute's silence will be observed during an informal Act of Remembrance on Sunday afternoon.
And on Sunday, a special service organised by the town's Churches Forum will be held in memory of those who lost their lives exactly a year ago.
A temporary Garden of Remembrance has also been created close to the bomb where a number of floral tributes have already been placed.
Representatives from Buncrana and Spain will be participating in Sunday afternoon's memorial service and they will also be joined by others who have suffered as a result of acts of violence throughout the years.
Announcing details of the service this week, members of the Churches Forum said everyone had a vital part to play in remembering those
who died.
The main service - which is being broadcast live on television and radio - will begin at 2.55pm and those attending have been asked to be in place by 2.30. Orders of service will be distributed on arrival.
The ceremony, which has been scripted by Church forum members in conjunction with groups from the wider community, will include readings, prayers and what organisers term a 'gathering of tears' symbolic act of reflection.
Church bells will sound and members of St Eugene's Band will play prior to a minute's silence being observed. Music will also be provided by members of Omagh Youth and Community Choir.
Car parking arrangements have been put in place and special provision has also been made for the disabled and those with special needs.
In drawing up preparations for the ceremony, organisers say they took a number of points into consideration including recognition of the bereaved families and those injured and distressed as a result of last August's attack.
And they also pointed out they greatly appreciate the valuable insight and contribution from members of the Self Help and Support Group in
drawing up plans for the service.
On Saturday afternoon Chief Executive of Omagh District Council, John McKinney will lead an informal act of remembrance at Lower Market Street.
Again church bells will ring prior to a moment's silence in memory of the victims of the atrocity.
Shops throughout the town will close for an hour as a mark of respect to those who died.
Representatives of the Buncrana victims are also expected to attend this ceremony during which wreaths and bouquets of flowers will be placed in the Garden of Remembrance.
All flowers left in the remembrance garden will be removed the following week before being mulched and placed on a special rose garden which has been created at Tyrone County Hospital in memory of the victims of the bomb.
Commenting on the weekend's ceremonies. David Bolton, Director of Community Care with Sperrin Lakeland Trust said events planned had been carefully and sensitively considered.
"I think we will find the ceremony on Sunday to be dignified, moving and helpful.
"As well as thinking of those who died last year and those who have been bereaved, injured and distressed, the ceremony will be looking to the suffering and need of others, to the past and enduring suffering of our conflict, and the suffering of the world.
"The first anniversary for families and individuals, and for a community, is always an important landmark in the wake of a tragedy. It is important therefore that we mark it, and I hope that in doing so people will he strengthened and consoled."
Throughout the weekend, special traffic arrangements are also being put in place.
Market Street will be closed to traffic this weekend from the close of business on Friday evening until Monday morning.
And the town centre, John Street and Georges Street will also be closed from Saturday night and will re-open on Sunday evening following the main anniversary ceremony.
Churches throughout the area will also be holding services throughout the weekend and a special anniversary prayer will be included in Sunday morning worship services.
Omagh Methodist Church will be open from 12 noon to 4pm on Saturday for personal and private prayer.
And Bishop of Derry, Dr Seamus Hegarty and Auxiliary Bishop Dr Francis Lagan will attend a special memorial Mass in the Sacred Heart Church at 6pm on Saturday evening. A combined choir from Drumragh and Cappagh parishes will also take part in the ceremony, along with a folk group and St Eugene's Band.
Bishop James Mehaffey will attend morning service at St Columba's Church . The ceremony will be broadcast on RTE Radio 1 at 10.45am.
The former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, Dr James Matthews will join worshippers at Seskinore Church at 11am.
Also this weekend, services will be held in Buncrana in memory of those who died. Three young children from the town and two Spanish guests who had been staying locally were among the 29 victims.
On Saturday morning a civic reception will be held for a small delegation from Omagh. This will be followed by a wreath laying ceremony at St Mary's Cockhill cemetery.
Later in the evening a vigil for peace will take place in St Mary's Oratory which will remain open from 8.15pm until 11pm for those wishing to take part in private prayers for peace.
The main service of remembrance will take place at 2.55pm on Sunday afternoon.
Weekend arrangements
Friday - Market Street closed to traffic from close of business until Monday morning
Saturday - Town Centre, John Street and Georges Street, closed to traffic from Saturday night
Saturday - Informal ceremony to be held at Market Street at 3pm.
Sunday - Main anniversary ceremony at High Street to commence at 2.55pm.
Anniversary Programmes
Thursday 12th - Documentary 'The Bridge' RTE1 at 9.30pm
Thursday 12th - Kirov Concert 'From Russia to Omagh with Love' RTE at 10.10pm
Saturday 14th - 'Broken Hearts' Radio Ulster at 11.30am
Sunday 15th - Morning Worship from St Columba's Church, RTE Radio 1 at 10.45am
Sunday 15th - 'Broken Hearts' Radio 5 Live at 12.05pm
Sunday 15th - Live broadcast of Memorial Service, Downtown Radio at 2.55pm
Sunday 15th - The Memorial Service live on Sky TV at 2.55pm
Sunday 15th - 'Kirov Chorus in Omagh' broadcast during afternoon on RTE television
Sunday 15th - 'Omagh - The Legacy' Documentary BBC2 at 10.05pm
BBC Nl Newsline specials every evening this week at 6.30pm
Good Morning Ulster series of reports from Omagh all week, Radio Ulster 6.30-9am
17th -19th - 'Thought for the Day' on Radio Ulster at 6.55 and 7.55am
Sunday 22nd - 'Kirov Chorus in Omagh' BBC2 at 10.15pm
By JOHN McCUSKER
All events have been 'carefully and sensitively' arranged
THOUSANDS are expected to take part in this weekend's emotional ceremonies to mark the first anniversary of the Omagh bombing.
The services will commemorate the tragic events of August 15 last year when 29 people and unborn twins were killed in a real IRA bomb in Market Street.
Church bells will ring out and a minute's silence will be observed during an informal Act of Remembrance on Sunday afternoon.
And on Sunday, a special service organised by the town's Churches Forum will be held in memory of those who lost their lives exactly a year ago.
A temporary Garden of Remembrance has also been created close to the bomb where a number of floral tributes have already been placed.
Representatives from Buncrana and Spain will be participating in Sunday afternoon's memorial service and they will also be joined by others who have suffered as a result of acts of violence throughout the years.
Announcing details of the service this week, members of the Churches Forum said everyone had a vital part to play in remembering those
who died.
The main service - which is being broadcast live on television and radio - will begin at 2.55pm and those attending have been asked to be in place by 2.30. Orders of service will be distributed on arrival.
The ceremony, which has been scripted by Church forum members in conjunction with groups from the wider community, will include readings, prayers and what organisers term a 'gathering of tears' symbolic act of reflection.
Church bells will sound and members of St Eugene's Band will play prior to a minute's silence being observed. Music will also be provided by members of Omagh Youth and Community Choir.
Car parking arrangements have been put in place and special provision has also been made for the disabled and those with special needs.
In drawing up preparations for the ceremony, organisers say they took a number of points into consideration including recognition of the bereaved families and those injured and distressed as a result of last August's attack.
And they also pointed out they greatly appreciate the valuable insight and contribution from members of the Self Help and Support Group in
drawing up plans for the service.
On Saturday afternoon Chief Executive of Omagh District Council, John McKinney will lead an informal act of remembrance at Lower Market Street.
Again church bells will ring prior to a moment's silence in memory of the victims of the atrocity.
Shops throughout the town will close for an hour as a mark of respect to those who died.
Representatives of the Buncrana victims are also expected to attend this ceremony during which wreaths and bouquets of flowers will be placed in the Garden of Remembrance.
All flowers left in the remembrance garden will be removed the following week before being mulched and placed on a special rose garden which has been created at Tyrone County Hospital in memory of the victims of the bomb.
Commenting on the weekend's ceremonies. David Bolton, Director of Community Care with Sperrin Lakeland Trust said events planned had been carefully and sensitively considered.
"I think we will find the ceremony on Sunday to be dignified, moving and helpful.
"As well as thinking of those who died last year and those who have been bereaved, injured and distressed, the ceremony will be looking to the suffering and need of others, to the past and enduring suffering of our conflict, and the suffering of the world.
"The first anniversary for families and individuals, and for a community, is always an important landmark in the wake of a tragedy. It is important therefore that we mark it, and I hope that in doing so people will he strengthened and consoled."
Throughout the weekend, special traffic arrangements are also being put in place.
Market Street will be closed to traffic this weekend from the close of business on Friday evening until Monday morning.
And the town centre, John Street and Georges Street will also be closed from Saturday night and will re-open on Sunday evening following the main anniversary ceremony.
Churches throughout the area will also be holding services throughout the weekend and a special anniversary prayer will be included in Sunday morning worship services.
Omagh Methodist Church will be open from 12 noon to 4pm on Saturday for personal and private prayer.
And Bishop of Derry, Dr Seamus Hegarty and Auxiliary Bishop Dr Francis Lagan will attend a special memorial Mass in the Sacred Heart Church at 6pm on Saturday evening. A combined choir from Drumragh and Cappagh parishes will also take part in the ceremony, along with a folk group and St Eugene's Band.
Bishop James Mehaffey will attend morning service at St Columba's Church . The ceremony will be broadcast on RTE Radio 1 at 10.45am.
The former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, Dr James Matthews will join worshippers at Seskinore Church at 11am.
Also this weekend, services will be held in Buncrana in memory of those who died. Three young children from the town and two Spanish guests who had been staying locally were among the 29 victims.
On Saturday morning a civic reception will be held for a small delegation from Omagh. This will be followed by a wreath laying ceremony at St Mary's Cockhill cemetery.
Later in the evening a vigil for peace will take place in St Mary's Oratory which will remain open from 8.15pm until 11pm for those wishing to take part in private prayers for peace.
The main service of remembrance will take place at 2.55pm on Sunday afternoon.
Weekend arrangements
Friday - Market Street closed to traffic from close of business until Monday morning
Saturday - Town Centre, John Street and Georges Street, closed to traffic from Saturday night
Saturday - Informal ceremony to be held at Market Street at 3pm.
Sunday - Main anniversary ceremony at High Street to commence at 2.55pm.
Anniversary Programmes
Thursday 12th - Documentary 'The Bridge' RTE1 at 9.30pm
Thursday 12th - Kirov Concert 'From Russia to Omagh with Love' RTE at 10.10pm
Saturday 14th - 'Broken Hearts' Radio Ulster at 11.30am
Sunday 15th - Morning Worship from St Columba's Church, RTE Radio 1 at 10.45am
Sunday 15th - 'Broken Hearts' Radio 5 Live at 12.05pm
Sunday 15th - Live broadcast of Memorial Service, Downtown Radio at 2.55pm
Sunday 15th - The Memorial Service live on Sky TV at 2.55pm
Sunday 15th - 'Kirov Chorus in Omagh' broadcast during afternoon on RTE television
Sunday 15th - 'Omagh - The Legacy' Documentary BBC2 at 10.05pm
BBC Nl Newsline specials every evening this week at 6.30pm
Good Morning Ulster series of reports from Omagh all week, Radio Ulster 6.30-9am
17th -19th - 'Thought for the Day' on Radio Ulster at 6.55 and 7.55am
Sunday 22nd - 'Kirov Chorus in Omagh' BBC2 at 10.15pm
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0440
Published Date: 12-Aug-99
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