GALWAY VISITORS GIVE A DAY TO OMAGH
Galway visitors give a day to Omagh
The warmth of the people of Galway wrapped itself round the grieving community of Omagh, when people from the city paid a visit here on Friday last.
Two bus loads of visitors arrived to spend the day meeting local people, shopping, and dining in the local hotels and restaurants.
The Deputy Mayor, Jim Mullarkey accompanied the 110 strong group and brought a cheque for �11,000 for the Omagh Fund.
Coinciding with the visit, was the presence of the Galway Radio Station. Galway Bay FM, which broadcast live from the town for two hours.
The Galway visit was the brainchild of staff at the radio station who ran a fundraising dinner and raised the grand total of �11,000
Station Engineer, Sean O'Toole was the driving force behind the organisation of the concert which attracted a host of artists from the showband world, all of whom gave of their time free of charge
Sean and other representatives of the station were going to come to Omagh with the cheque, but decided to see if anyone wanted to accompany them.
They announced on air that buses would travel to Omagh and anyone wanting to go should contact the station Within the space of half an hour, two buses were filled to capacity, and according to Keith Finnegan, they could have filled another ten buses.
Keith, who is chief executive and senior broadcaster with Galway Bay FM, said the people of Galway had a real, heartfelt sympathy with Omagh and wanted to show the community here 'that we are always in their thoughts'.
The group was met in the Tourist Information Centre by Omagh Fund representatives and Cllr Joe Byrne who accepted the cheque. To the delight of the visiting party. Omagh's very own Dominic Kirwan turned up to welcome them and obliged them by singing a song.
The two hours radio programme is usually on current affairs, but Fridays from Omagh had a slight change of format. Broadcaster Keith spoke with local clergy as well as officials from the Council Discussion centred on how the bomb affected the town and what plans were being made for its renewal.
It is believed the visit will act as a catalyst for many more links between the two places.
Already plans have been drawn up for an all expenses-paid-trip for a senior citizens' visit from Omagh to Galway in April. This followed an invitation from a retirement club in Galway for local pensioners to visit the city.
Keith said that he had also been contacted by the University College Galway chaplain, who said that the resources of the university would be at the disposal of the people of Omagh.
He said since he spoke on radio about the trip to Omagh, he "has been inundated with people wanting to help in a practical way. Some of the calls were from contractors who wanted to help rebuild homes which may have been damaged in the bomb.
During the visit, a large number of drawings and letters from schoolchildren in Galway were presented to pupils from St Colmcilles PS in Omagh. Three books of condolences were also presented to the Council.
The radio station plans to keep a fund open for Omagh and intends to raise more money in the coming months.
The warmth of the people of Galway wrapped itself round the grieving community of Omagh, when people from the city paid a visit here on Friday last.
Two bus loads of visitors arrived to spend the day meeting local people, shopping, and dining in the local hotels and restaurants.
The Deputy Mayor, Jim Mullarkey accompanied the 110 strong group and brought a cheque for �11,000 for the Omagh Fund.
Coinciding with the visit, was the presence of the Galway Radio Station. Galway Bay FM, which broadcast live from the town for two hours.
The Galway visit was the brainchild of staff at the radio station who ran a fundraising dinner and raised the grand total of �11,000
Station Engineer, Sean O'Toole was the driving force behind the organisation of the concert which attracted a host of artists from the showband world, all of whom gave of their time free of charge
Sean and other representatives of the station were going to come to Omagh with the cheque, but decided to see if anyone wanted to accompany them.
They announced on air that buses would travel to Omagh and anyone wanting to go should contact the station Within the space of half an hour, two buses were filled to capacity, and according to Keith Finnegan, they could have filled another ten buses.
Keith, who is chief executive and senior broadcaster with Galway Bay FM, said the people of Galway had a real, heartfelt sympathy with Omagh and wanted to show the community here 'that we are always in their thoughts'.
The group was met in the Tourist Information Centre by Omagh Fund representatives and Cllr Joe Byrne who accepted the cheque. To the delight of the visiting party. Omagh's very own Dominic Kirwan turned up to welcome them and obliged them by singing a song.
The two hours radio programme is usually on current affairs, but Fridays from Omagh had a slight change of format. Broadcaster Keith spoke with local clergy as well as officials from the Council Discussion centred on how the bomb affected the town and what plans were being made for its renewal.
It is believed the visit will act as a catalyst for many more links between the two places.
Already plans have been drawn up for an all expenses-paid-trip for a senior citizens' visit from Omagh to Galway in April. This followed an invitation from a retirement club in Galway for local pensioners to visit the city.
Keith said that he had also been contacted by the University College Galway chaplain, who said that the resources of the university would be at the disposal of the people of Omagh.
He said since he spoke on radio about the trip to Omagh, he "has been inundated with people wanting to help in a practical way. Some of the calls were from contractors who wanted to help rebuild homes which may have been damaged in the bomb.
During the visit, a large number of drawings and letters from schoolchildren in Galway were presented to pupils from St Colmcilles PS in Omagh. Three books of condolences were also presented to the Council.
The radio station plans to keep a fund open for Omagh and intends to raise more money in the coming months.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0716
Published Date: 28-Jan-99
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