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Tyrone Association in Manchester remembers victims of Omagh atrocity
BY: ROSETTA DONNELLY

THE TYRONE Association in Manchester held a function recently which raised money for the Omagh Fund.
At its annual dinner, they held a special raffle and auction which realised the sum of £4,000 for the victims of the August bomb.
The dinner dance at the Irish World Heritage Centre at Cheetham Hill, was attended by ex-pats from Tyrone who are living in Manchester, and from further afield.
Normally a highlight in the social calender of the Tyrone people living in the city, this time held a particular interest and tickets were quickly snapped up.
People were keen to support the victims of the bomb and this was evident during the evening as high prices were paid for souvenir items.
The gala evening began with a minute's silence in memory of those who died in the 15th August atrocity.
The President of the Association, Canon Eugene Dolan, an Aghyaran man who has been living in Manchester for 36 years, then addressed the crowd and echoed the feeling of many when he spoke about the depth of sadness felt for the people of Omagh.
With the presence of Tyrone Minor heroes, Cormac McAnallen and Enda McGinley, the evening had a decidedly sporting flavour, with great delight being felt at the team's great success in winning the Tomas Markam Cup.
Tyrone people enjoyed being photographed with the Cup which the Minors won earlier this year after a break of twenty-five years.
There is a saying that the people living away from Ireland are often more Irish than the Irish, and this certainly seemed true on this occasion. Many living in Manchester for years have not lost their accents, and have an intense interest in what is going on at home.
The Irish culture and heritage is strong and this was evidenced even further by the Irish dancers who took to the floor - all Mancunians - but who could give Jean Butler and Michael Flatley a run for their money. The young girls and boys were members of the McAteer and Lally school of Irish dancing - just two of many schools in Manchester which teach Irish dancing.
The raffle received a great response. Prizes were donated by businesses in the area with Irish connections. A Stena Line trip to Ireland for a family was - not surprisingly - the most popular prize.
The auction raised a lot of money on the night. Again a lot of the items going under the hammer were donated.
A child's bike was donated by Kevin and Mick Maguire of Stoneybatter, Dromore. It subsequently raised £130. The Maguires also paid £250 for a Tyrone shirt signed by Peter Canavan.
Ray Rafferty, son of Michael Rafferty, formerly of Cappagh, paid £150 for a Manchester City football.
Bidding was fast and furious for other items, with bottles of drink going at perhaps five times their value.
The evening raised a total of £4,000 and a cheque for this amount was presented to Rosetta Donnelly of the Ulster Herald, who accepted it on behalf of the Omagh Fund.
During his address at the annual dinner, Canon Eugene Dolan reflected how times have changed from he left home in 1962. He said there was no work at home and young people had to go to find work in England -often in tough conditions.
He said the lot of these people have changed today, but not half as much as the change which he sees has taken place back home. "The whole prosperity and the lifestyle has changed dramatically. It is a matter of pride for us who have been out of Ireland to see the changes taking place. To be Irish and not have to leave your own country is something which should make us all proud".
Another incident which he said, while a disaster on the largest scale, ultimately drew a feeling of pride was the Omagh ,bomb and the community's reaction afterwards. Fr Dolan said "In the midst of the disaster that was Omagh, the way the people there - those bereaved, injured or devastated by what happened - the way they conducted themselves, the way they,spoke and the way they were able to express forgiveness and other words, they showed a great dignity, and it is something of which every Irish person can be proud".
"The people of Omagh have made a deep impression on making a better image of Ireland all around the world".
"Although we have a tremendous sympathy, hopefully that dignity and the way in which they coped with the shock and disaster, will also stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives. Those who were injured, those who were maimed for life, they will receive support from that community that many communities could not give," concluded Canon Dolan.
Rose Morris, secretary of the Association, in her address spoke of the warm hearted people of Manchester who had welcomed the Irish people who arrived in the city in their thousands over the years.
"Even though we are away from our native land and living in a strange city, Manchester has turned out to not be so strange. It is 3 wonderful city and by coming here many of us have met people from parts of Ireland which we would never have met had we remained in Tyrone".
Rose, who is cultural officer at the Irish World Heritage Centre in Manchester, spoke of the changing times and welcomed the move to introduce the Irish language on to the curriculum in England. She said she is looking forward to the day when many second generation Tyrone people will be able to speak the native tongue fluently.
Following the formalities and the fundraising events, entertainment was provided by Eamon McCann and his band.