VICTIMS OF OMAGH BOMBING REMEMBERED IN MAYO
Victims of Omagh bombing remembered in Mayo
Within a short time of the bomb on August 15th, the Moy Valley Branch in Ballina, Co. Mayo, set in motion a plan to bring a group of Omagh people from the local Comhaltas to their town.
A party of thirty young, and not so young, gathered at the Ballina Urban District Council Office for a Civic Reception when the visitors were made very welcome.
On behalf of the local Council, Gary Ginty welcomed the Omagh party, and he handed over a cheque for �1300 to Councillor Paddy McGowan, representing Omagh District Council, for the Omagh Victims Fund.
This contribution was from a local Ballina community group, and they were thanked by Mr. McGowan for their generosity.
Paddy Lavin, Chairman of Moy Valley Comhaltas, welcomed the Omagh party and thanked the local branch's P.R.O., Eamon Walshe, for his hard work in making the visit possible.
Chairman of Omagh Comhaltas, Eamonn Prunty, thanked the Council for their generous reception and the Moy Valley Branch for their kind invitation.
The visitors and local musicians then moved to the Gardin Inn Lounge for a great session of traditional music, song and dance. "Omagh Remembered Weekend", as the local branch had billed the visit, had got off to a terrific start.
On Saturday afternoon, a coach tour of the Moy Valley was arranged, visiting many local sites of interest.
It was then on to Mary & Padraig Maughan's Lounge, where refreshments were served, followed by a few tunes from Eamon Walshe on uillean pipes, and a song from Omagh lad, Cathal Lynch.
The time was fast approaching for the broadcast of 'Ceili House', featuring Omagh performers, along with interviews of representatives of the Omagh community.
Firstly, there was a dinner served in the Downhill Hotel venue for the broadcast. After the meal, Eamonn Prunty presented a Tyrone Crystal vase to Mr. Lavin in appreciation of all the kindness which had been shown to the Omagh visitors. In turn, Mr. Lavin presented an inscribed plaque to Mr. Prunty commemorating the Omagh Remembrance event in Ballina.
The programme opened with Omagh band, The Emerald, who received a great receptionm playing for set dancing, which featured visiting dancers.
Then it was the turn of the Omagh group of musicians to do their stint. The musicians were Dympna Maguire, Barry Woods, Jonathan Campbell, Sean McGovern, Diarmuid Devlin, Peadar Devlin, all fiddle; Cheryl Stacher, tin whistle; Patrick McGovern, accordion; Declan McKeever and. Michael O'Donnell, on guitars.
Cathal Lynch then rendered in song 'The Hills Above Drumquin' to the delight of all present.
A Ballina group, including Eamon Walshe on uillean pipes, featured next, followed by Ciaran Hanrahan interviewing All Saints School Principal. Ann Doherty, and health visitor, Marian Doody, on their experiences after the Omagh bomb. Local singer, Jim Walsh, sang a self-penned song, "Song of Peace", accompanied by the Moy Singers, which proved very appropriate to the occasion.
The programme concluded with a selection from the Emerald Ceili Band.
A Sets Ceili followed, with dancers travelling as far away as Dublin, Galway and Tipperary to support the event, which was in aid ol the Omagh Fund. With a raffle and auction of two �150 holiday prizes, �2,500 was handed over for the Fund.
On Sunday morning, special Mass for the victims of the Omagh bomb was celebrated in Muredach's Cathedral, Ballina. Presiding was the Bishop of Killala, Dr. Thomas Finnegan, while the celebrant was the parish priest, Fr. Michael Flynn.
In his sermon, Fr. Flynn mentioned the Omagh bombing, telling the large congregation that he was a Maynooth classmate of Fr. Kevin Mullan. Fr. Flynn prayed for all the victims of the bomb and, especially, for the bereaved and those injured.
The Bishop, Dr. Finnegan, read a special letter from Pope John Paul II in Rome, emparting his blessing on all those involved in the Omagh atrocity. This was applauded by the 1,000 strong attendance.
Tea was served for the visitors in the adjoining community centre, including the priests and the Cathedral choir.
Omagh girl, Fiona Taggart, sang a delightful song, the theme being peace, followed by Moy Valley Comhaltas President, Frank Mulcahy, rendering some well loved ballads.
A farewell meal was then laid on in Tuilla's Restaurant in the centre of Ballina. Entertainment followed, and this included singing by Mary Campbell. Cathal Lynch, Michael O'Donnell, and a recitation from Jim Devlin. Local Comhaltas Secretary, Margaret Iboe, appropriately sang "The Banks of the Moy" as the Omagh visitors prepared to make the journey home to Tyrone.
The Omagh Comhaltas have invited the Ballina people to come to our town, where they can be assured of a great welcome.
Within a short time of the bomb on August 15th, the Moy Valley Branch in Ballina, Co. Mayo, set in motion a plan to bring a group of Omagh people from the local Comhaltas to their town.
A party of thirty young, and not so young, gathered at the Ballina Urban District Council Office for a Civic Reception when the visitors were made very welcome.
On behalf of the local Council, Gary Ginty welcomed the Omagh party, and he handed over a cheque for �1300 to Councillor Paddy McGowan, representing Omagh District Council, for the Omagh Victims Fund.
This contribution was from a local Ballina community group, and they were thanked by Mr. McGowan for their generosity.
Paddy Lavin, Chairman of Moy Valley Comhaltas, welcomed the Omagh party and thanked the local branch's P.R.O., Eamon Walshe, for his hard work in making the visit possible.
Chairman of Omagh Comhaltas, Eamonn Prunty, thanked the Council for their generous reception and the Moy Valley Branch for their kind invitation.
The visitors and local musicians then moved to the Gardin Inn Lounge for a great session of traditional music, song and dance. "Omagh Remembered Weekend", as the local branch had billed the visit, had got off to a terrific start.
On Saturday afternoon, a coach tour of the Moy Valley was arranged, visiting many local sites of interest.
It was then on to Mary & Padraig Maughan's Lounge, where refreshments were served, followed by a few tunes from Eamon Walshe on uillean pipes, and a song from Omagh lad, Cathal Lynch.
The time was fast approaching for the broadcast of 'Ceili House', featuring Omagh performers, along with interviews of representatives of the Omagh community.
Firstly, there was a dinner served in the Downhill Hotel venue for the broadcast. After the meal, Eamonn Prunty presented a Tyrone Crystal vase to Mr. Lavin in appreciation of all the kindness which had been shown to the Omagh visitors. In turn, Mr. Lavin presented an inscribed plaque to Mr. Prunty commemorating the Omagh Remembrance event in Ballina.
The programme opened with Omagh band, The Emerald, who received a great receptionm playing for set dancing, which featured visiting dancers.
Then it was the turn of the Omagh group of musicians to do their stint. The musicians were Dympna Maguire, Barry Woods, Jonathan Campbell, Sean McGovern, Diarmuid Devlin, Peadar Devlin, all fiddle; Cheryl Stacher, tin whistle; Patrick McGovern, accordion; Declan McKeever and. Michael O'Donnell, on guitars.
Cathal Lynch then rendered in song 'The Hills Above Drumquin' to the delight of all present.
A Ballina group, including Eamon Walshe on uillean pipes, featured next, followed by Ciaran Hanrahan interviewing All Saints School Principal. Ann Doherty, and health visitor, Marian Doody, on their experiences after the Omagh bomb. Local singer, Jim Walsh, sang a self-penned song, "Song of Peace", accompanied by the Moy Singers, which proved very appropriate to the occasion.
The programme concluded with a selection from the Emerald Ceili Band.
A Sets Ceili followed, with dancers travelling as far away as Dublin, Galway and Tipperary to support the event, which was in aid ol the Omagh Fund. With a raffle and auction of two �150 holiday prizes, �2,500 was handed over for the Fund.
On Sunday morning, special Mass for the victims of the Omagh bomb was celebrated in Muredach's Cathedral, Ballina. Presiding was the Bishop of Killala, Dr. Thomas Finnegan, while the celebrant was the parish priest, Fr. Michael Flynn.
In his sermon, Fr. Flynn mentioned the Omagh bombing, telling the large congregation that he was a Maynooth classmate of Fr. Kevin Mullan. Fr. Flynn prayed for all the victims of the bomb and, especially, for the bereaved and those injured.
The Bishop, Dr. Finnegan, read a special letter from Pope John Paul II in Rome, emparting his blessing on all those involved in the Omagh atrocity. This was applauded by the 1,000 strong attendance.
Tea was served for the visitors in the adjoining community centre, including the priests and the Cathedral choir.
Omagh girl, Fiona Taggart, sang a delightful song, the theme being peace, followed by Moy Valley Comhaltas President, Frank Mulcahy, rendering some well loved ballads.
A farewell meal was then laid on in Tuilla's Restaurant in the centre of Ballina. Entertainment followed, and this included singing by Mary Campbell. Cathal Lynch, Michael O'Donnell, and a recitation from Jim Devlin. Local Comhaltas Secretary, Margaret Iboe, appropriately sang "The Banks of the Moy" as the Omagh visitors prepared to make the journey home to Tyrone.
The Omagh Comhaltas have invited the Ballina people to come to our town, where they can be assured of a great welcome.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0674
Published Date: 19-Nov-98
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