FUND BOOST FROM NEW YORK
Fund boost from New York
BY: ADRIAN MULLAN
MONTHS of fund raising in the United states by a group of expatriates in New York came to a conclusion when a cheque for $129,000 was presented to Omagh District Council by members of the fund raising committee.
The fund raising efforts began when the full horror of the Market Street blast began to reach the U.S. and, following a series of phone calls between expatriates living in New York and Queens, a meeting was held on August, ten days after the atrocity. At that meeting a committee was formed and so the Omagh Relief Fund of New York was established.
There were a number of services held in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx to remember the dead and pay tribute to the injured, and within a few weeks two venues were selected- in which fund raising events would be staged.
Individual committee members took on the responsibility of identifying bands, contacting sponsors, publicising events, and ensuring the maximum success. All the while, the group kept in close contact with Omagh District Council, informing that body what progress had been made.
The first event was held at the Towerview in Queens on October 11th, when eight local bands played to an audience of some 700 people, the cheques and cash began pouring in.
With $30,000 in the fund the second event was held in Gaelic Park, in the Bronx on November 6th, on that occasion four bands, including Bagatelle, played to a packed house of 1,200 people. The night was a massive success and by the close of the evening the fund had reached $80,000. In the meantime, moves were afoot to stage a third event, and with a kind offer of the function room from Gallagher's Steak House in Manhattan and an excellent evening of entertainment was had on the evening of November 11th. Members of the business and commercial community were in attendance as well as representatives of the Irish and British consulates. Author, Martin Dillon, gave a reading from his most recent book, and radio host, Adrian Flanelly compered the evening. Also in attendance were President Lynch of John Jay College NY, and actress Roma Downey. The sum raised on that evening brought the fund figure to $115,000. The final figure presented to Omagh Could was $129,000. However, the fund raising efforts of the group continued with a dance in Long Island on Sunday night passed.
Members of the New York committee were said to be delighted and extended their thanks to the Irish and Irish American population of New York. A spokesman for the group commented; "We hope and pray it will give some comfort to those bereaved and injured on August 15th."
The members of the Omagh Relief Fund in New York are as follows; Desmond Reid, The Barr Fintona, Dermot McConnel1 Cabragh, Dungannon, Charlie Rodgers, Fintona, Seamus McNabb, Dromore, Caroline McNelis, Fintona, Carmel McCusker, Dromore, Marie McBride, Omagh, Jim McBride, Omagh, Mairead Moore, Omagh, Dermot Clarke, Dublin, Sean Downes, New York, J.P. Delaney, New York, Joan Rice, Omagh, Geraldine Callaghan, Fintona, Sheila Denning, Belleek, Mariead McGurk, Fintona, Stephen Quinn, Omagh, Joan Henchy, Ballybunnion, Eddie Duncan, Killyclogher, John Joe McGovern, Swanlinbar, Geraldine Burns, Castlederg, Eamon Reilly, Monaghan, Julie O'Riordan, Galway, Mary O'Riordan, Galway, Sean Rice, Omagh, Pat Mills, Omagh, and Anne Donnelly, Omagh.
BY: ADRIAN MULLAN
MONTHS of fund raising in the United states by a group of expatriates in New York came to a conclusion when a cheque for $129,000 was presented to Omagh District Council by members of the fund raising committee.
The fund raising efforts began when the full horror of the Market Street blast began to reach the U.S. and, following a series of phone calls between expatriates living in New York and Queens, a meeting was held on August, ten days after the atrocity. At that meeting a committee was formed and so the Omagh Relief Fund of New York was established.
There were a number of services held in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx to remember the dead and pay tribute to the injured, and within a few weeks two venues were selected- in which fund raising events would be staged.
Individual committee members took on the responsibility of identifying bands, contacting sponsors, publicising events, and ensuring the maximum success. All the while, the group kept in close contact with Omagh District Council, informing that body what progress had been made.
The first event was held at the Towerview in Queens on October 11th, when eight local bands played to an audience of some 700 people, the cheques and cash began pouring in.
With $30,000 in the fund the second event was held in Gaelic Park, in the Bronx on November 6th, on that occasion four bands, including Bagatelle, played to a packed house of 1,200 people. The night was a massive success and by the close of the evening the fund had reached $80,000. In the meantime, moves were afoot to stage a third event, and with a kind offer of the function room from Gallagher's Steak House in Manhattan and an excellent evening of entertainment was had on the evening of November 11th. Members of the business and commercial community were in attendance as well as representatives of the Irish and British consulates. Author, Martin Dillon, gave a reading from his most recent book, and radio host, Adrian Flanelly compered the evening. Also in attendance were President Lynch of John Jay College NY, and actress Roma Downey. The sum raised on that evening brought the fund figure to $115,000. The final figure presented to Omagh Could was $129,000. However, the fund raising efforts of the group continued with a dance in Long Island on Sunday night passed.
Members of the New York committee were said to be delighted and extended their thanks to the Irish and Irish American population of New York. A spokesman for the group commented; "We hope and pray it will give some comfort to those bereaved and injured on August 15th."
The members of the Omagh Relief Fund in New York are as follows; Desmond Reid, The Barr Fintona, Dermot McConnel1 Cabragh, Dungannon, Charlie Rodgers, Fintona, Seamus McNabb, Dromore, Caroline McNelis, Fintona, Carmel McCusker, Dromore, Marie McBride, Omagh, Jim McBride, Omagh, Mairead Moore, Omagh, Dermot Clarke, Dublin, Sean Downes, New York, J.P. Delaney, New York, Joan Rice, Omagh, Geraldine Callaghan, Fintona, Sheila Denning, Belleek, Mariead McGurk, Fintona, Stephen Quinn, Omagh, Joan Henchy, Ballybunnion, Eddie Duncan, Killyclogher, John Joe McGovern, Swanlinbar, Geraldine Burns, Castlederg, Eamon Reilly, Monaghan, Julie O'Riordan, Galway, Mary O'Riordan, Galway, Sean Rice, Omagh, Pat Mills, Omagh, and Anne Donnelly, Omagh.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0711
Published Date: 14-Jan-99
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