CHANGE CORRECTS HICCUP IN ROYAL VISIT
Change corrects hiccup in Royal visit
BY TERRY PATTERSON
CONTROVERSY surrounded the Queen's Golden Jubilee visit to Omagh on Tuesday morning. Press briefings on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday had indicated the Royal party would not look in on the site of the town centre bombing on August 15,1998, although the local Branch Library, the centrepiece of the visit, seemed the ideal dropping off place for just such an inspection.
However, in an 11th-hour U-turn the itinerary was updated and she completed her short stay in Omagh by walking a short distance to the new Community House in Market Street after being driven to the Dublin Road corner.
Michael Gallagher, chairman of Omagh Self-Help and Support Group, speaking after meeting the Queen at her later engagement a garden party for 1,000 people from across Northern Ireland in the grounds of Loughry College near Cookstown said: "It is important that when people like the Queen come to Omagh they remember what happened on August 15,1998.
"We can't erase the past or the memories but we can learn from them and move forward. It was very unfortunate that the people who arranged this visit, and I am not talking about the Palace here, could not give the bereaved and the injured an opportunity to meet her Majesty.
"In Omagh there is a particular mindset who would want to forget that August afternoon. When I was told the bomb site was not a scheduled part of the official route, I was most concerned. I telephoned people who could pull strings in the Northern Ireland Office and made my concerns known. I do not know whether my intervention played any part, but I am pleased there was a change of heart."
Mr Gallagher and his wife, Patsy, were in a victims group introduced to the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at Loughrey College. The group also contained relatives of the bereaved from the La Mon House and Enniskillen bombings, and Mr. Gallagher said it was a great honour to be part of it.
"I think it is very important that the victims' voices are heard in the new future we are trying to create," Mr Gallagher added. Later, after a lengthy conversation with the Queen, he revealed: "Her Majesty was quite shocked and taken aback to learn our son had died in the Omagh bombing. She enquired as to the circumstances of Aidan's death.
"I told her I was delighted that she had acknowledged what had happened on August 15, 1998 on her visit to Omagh in the morning, and that her walk to the bomb site was very important to the families. And I suggested to her that when we get a permanent memorial erected in Omagh she might come back and pay a visit to it. She agreed that might happen."
The Queen's 45-minute whistle stop tour of Omagh Branch Library had been intended to end with a short walkabout on the Dublin Road but, after taking time to speak to wellwishers, she went to the Community House accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh and the Secretary of State, Dr John Reid.
Dr Reid explained the events of that never-to-be-forgotten day, while the Queen, dressed in a pale blue tweed suit and matching hat, intently observed the new buildings and commented on what had taken place.
Earlier she had been welcomed to the library by the Duke of Abercorn and introduced to a number of dignitaries who included the chief executive of Omagh District Council Danny McSorley, chairman of the Western Education and Library Board Bertie Faulkner, Captain Robert Lowry, the vice Lord Lieutenant of County Tyrone, Dominic Pinto, OBE, DL, Sheriff for County Tyrone, Michael McGimpsey MLA, Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Joe Martin, chief executive of the Western Education and Library Board, Professor Briedge Gadd, CBE, a board member and Walter Rader, head of the New Opportunities Fund.
With a huge smile, the Queen told some of the guests: "It's not much of a day. I must have brought the rain."
That set the tone for what was the most relaxed of Royal visits, conducted at every stage with assuredness and a lightness of hand by the visitors themselves, the security forces and those marshalling the press corps and guests.
As the Royal party had arrived they were 'played into' the Library foyer by the 30-strong Omagh Community Youth Choir, which sang, Danny Boy. Choir leader Daryl Simpson disclosed that rehearsals had only taken place over the weekend and he said everything had gone according to plan.
"We are very pleased we were able to do a piece representative of Northern Ireland and Ireland. Danny Boy is a song that is associated with everything that is good in this country," Mr Simpson continued.
In the Library, the Queen and her entourage first met four groups financed by the New Opportunities Fund (NOF) that has just launched a �33million programme which, over the next three to five years, will promote Physical Education and Sport in Schools.
But the emphasis of the four groups who 'entertained' the Royal party was largely on getting women back into the workplace. Said Professor Gadd, chairman of NOF's funding committee and the Northern Ireland representative on its UK Board: "We are absolutely delighted that the Queen looked at some of our projects as we are very proud of them.
"They are about the marriage of modern technology with opportunities for women, particularly, to get back to education. NOF has put more than �7million into IT, and, in total, we are currently spending �20million on a whole variety of projects in Northern Ireland. Specifically we are about helping adults not normally using education to acquire new skills.
"We have put a lot of money into children's facilities, too, so that young mothers can go off and use a computer and have a break from the family. Whether they eventually get a job or not, and very many do, it is a great boost to their self-esteem."
The groups displaying projects for the Queen included one from Strabane, and others from Cookstown, Dungannon/Armagh and Magherafelt/Draperstown. They were told by the Queen that she was very interested that the projects came with built-in childcare.
Next, the Queen's party moved into the Library proper to inspect a Golden Jubilee montage and meet a number of employees. She was also acquainted with the work of the Omagh 2010 Task Force whose chairman Perry McDonnell, and vice-chairman Patrick Bogues, gave a six-minute presentation.
Mr McDonnell told the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh: "It is a short story, a positive story, and the characters are the people of Omagh. We are hoping now to take two big steps forward, a new college and campus for which the preparations are virtually complete, and to carry out a major overhaul of the riverside and riverside area, building walkways and pedestrian bridges over the river to link with the business area, the new college and the bus terminal.
"But the real jewel in the crown of the riverside regeneration is a brand new civic arts centre and theatre. It should all transform the look of the place and, if we get them in situ by 2010, then I believe the 2010 Vision will be unstoppable.
"All �17milion a private public partnership is now available for the new college and most of the money for the riverside project �9million of investment in total is in place."
The Queen responded by asking about reconstruction in the wake of the bombing and said she was pleased with the progress being made. She also commented that 2010 was a year to look forward to but said she realised it would take a long time to bring everything to fulfillment.
Mr Bogues spelled out for the Royal party the five elements of the scheme, a vibrant town, an enterprising economy, education excellence, better health to enjoy the vision of 2010 and leisure and the arts, and he told the Duke of Edinburgh: "This is an area of great artistic tradition."
Before signing the visitors book, the Queen inspected a pictorial display which depicted the 50 years of her reign, and she was most interested to spot a programme itinerary of her last visit to Omagh in 1953. It had been introduced to the montage by senior library assistant Marlene Turner, who told the Queen that it belonged to her mother.
Other staff introduced to the Queen and Prince Philip were chief librarian Helen Osborn, Patrick Brogan, Rosemary Adams, Gayle Waterson, Wendy Scott, Sylvia Graham and Wilma Armstrong.
Ms Armstrong, an executive officer with the Library Service, suffered a stroke 12 weeks ago and was a special guest for the day. The Queen asked her if she was back to work so soon and, when told it was a one off, said: "You appear to be making a speedy recovery and you are looking very well."
Rev. William Clarke, rector of Edenderry Parish Church, was the last to shake the Queen's hand. He said: "It has always been a wish of mine to meet the Queen. It was nice to see her in Omagh and it just goes to prove that all good things come to those who wait."
BY TERRY PATTERSON
CONTROVERSY surrounded the Queen's Golden Jubilee visit to Omagh on Tuesday morning. Press briefings on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday had indicated the Royal party would not look in on the site of the town centre bombing on August 15,1998, although the local Branch Library, the centrepiece of the visit, seemed the ideal dropping off place for just such an inspection.
However, in an 11th-hour U-turn the itinerary was updated and she completed her short stay in Omagh by walking a short distance to the new Community House in Market Street after being driven to the Dublin Road corner.
Michael Gallagher, chairman of Omagh Self-Help and Support Group, speaking after meeting the Queen at her later engagement a garden party for 1,000 people from across Northern Ireland in the grounds of Loughry College near Cookstown said: "It is important that when people like the Queen come to Omagh they remember what happened on August 15,1998.
"We can't erase the past or the memories but we can learn from them and move forward. It was very unfortunate that the people who arranged this visit, and I am not talking about the Palace here, could not give the bereaved and the injured an opportunity to meet her Majesty.
"In Omagh there is a particular mindset who would want to forget that August afternoon. When I was told the bomb site was not a scheduled part of the official route, I was most concerned. I telephoned people who could pull strings in the Northern Ireland Office and made my concerns known. I do not know whether my intervention played any part, but I am pleased there was a change of heart."
Mr Gallagher and his wife, Patsy, were in a victims group introduced to the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at Loughrey College. The group also contained relatives of the bereaved from the La Mon House and Enniskillen bombings, and Mr. Gallagher said it was a great honour to be part of it.
"I think it is very important that the victims' voices are heard in the new future we are trying to create," Mr Gallagher added. Later, after a lengthy conversation with the Queen, he revealed: "Her Majesty was quite shocked and taken aback to learn our son had died in the Omagh bombing. She enquired as to the circumstances of Aidan's death.
"I told her I was delighted that she had acknowledged what had happened on August 15, 1998 on her visit to Omagh in the morning, and that her walk to the bomb site was very important to the families. And I suggested to her that when we get a permanent memorial erected in Omagh she might come back and pay a visit to it. She agreed that might happen."
The Queen's 45-minute whistle stop tour of Omagh Branch Library had been intended to end with a short walkabout on the Dublin Road but, after taking time to speak to wellwishers, she went to the Community House accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh and the Secretary of State, Dr John Reid.
Dr Reid explained the events of that never-to-be-forgotten day, while the Queen, dressed in a pale blue tweed suit and matching hat, intently observed the new buildings and commented on what had taken place.
Earlier she had been welcomed to the library by the Duke of Abercorn and introduced to a number of dignitaries who included the chief executive of Omagh District Council Danny McSorley, chairman of the Western Education and Library Board Bertie Faulkner, Captain Robert Lowry, the vice Lord Lieutenant of County Tyrone, Dominic Pinto, OBE, DL, Sheriff for County Tyrone, Michael McGimpsey MLA, Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Joe Martin, chief executive of the Western Education and Library Board, Professor Briedge Gadd, CBE, a board member and Walter Rader, head of the New Opportunities Fund.
With a huge smile, the Queen told some of the guests: "It's not much of a day. I must have brought the rain."
That set the tone for what was the most relaxed of Royal visits, conducted at every stage with assuredness and a lightness of hand by the visitors themselves, the security forces and those marshalling the press corps and guests.
As the Royal party had arrived they were 'played into' the Library foyer by the 30-strong Omagh Community Youth Choir, which sang, Danny Boy. Choir leader Daryl Simpson disclosed that rehearsals had only taken place over the weekend and he said everything had gone according to plan.
"We are very pleased we were able to do a piece representative of Northern Ireland and Ireland. Danny Boy is a song that is associated with everything that is good in this country," Mr Simpson continued.
In the Library, the Queen and her entourage first met four groups financed by the New Opportunities Fund (NOF) that has just launched a �33million programme which, over the next three to five years, will promote Physical Education and Sport in Schools.
But the emphasis of the four groups who 'entertained' the Royal party was largely on getting women back into the workplace. Said Professor Gadd, chairman of NOF's funding committee and the Northern Ireland representative on its UK Board: "We are absolutely delighted that the Queen looked at some of our projects as we are very proud of them.
"They are about the marriage of modern technology with opportunities for women, particularly, to get back to education. NOF has put more than �7million into IT, and, in total, we are currently spending �20million on a whole variety of projects in Northern Ireland. Specifically we are about helping adults not normally using education to acquire new skills.
"We have put a lot of money into children's facilities, too, so that young mothers can go off and use a computer and have a break from the family. Whether they eventually get a job or not, and very many do, it is a great boost to their self-esteem."
The groups displaying projects for the Queen included one from Strabane, and others from Cookstown, Dungannon/Armagh and Magherafelt/Draperstown. They were told by the Queen that she was very interested that the projects came with built-in childcare.
Next, the Queen's party moved into the Library proper to inspect a Golden Jubilee montage and meet a number of employees. She was also acquainted with the work of the Omagh 2010 Task Force whose chairman Perry McDonnell, and vice-chairman Patrick Bogues, gave a six-minute presentation.
Mr McDonnell told the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh: "It is a short story, a positive story, and the characters are the people of Omagh. We are hoping now to take two big steps forward, a new college and campus for which the preparations are virtually complete, and to carry out a major overhaul of the riverside and riverside area, building walkways and pedestrian bridges over the river to link with the business area, the new college and the bus terminal.
"But the real jewel in the crown of the riverside regeneration is a brand new civic arts centre and theatre. It should all transform the look of the place and, if we get them in situ by 2010, then I believe the 2010 Vision will be unstoppable.
"All �17milion a private public partnership is now available for the new college and most of the money for the riverside project �9million of investment in total is in place."
The Queen responded by asking about reconstruction in the wake of the bombing and said she was pleased with the progress being made. She also commented that 2010 was a year to look forward to but said she realised it would take a long time to bring everything to fulfillment.
Mr Bogues spelled out for the Royal party the five elements of the scheme, a vibrant town, an enterprising economy, education excellence, better health to enjoy the vision of 2010 and leisure and the arts, and he told the Duke of Edinburgh: "This is an area of great artistic tradition."
Before signing the visitors book, the Queen inspected a pictorial display which depicted the 50 years of her reign, and she was most interested to spot a programme itinerary of her last visit to Omagh in 1953. It had been introduced to the montage by senior library assistant Marlene Turner, who told the Queen that it belonged to her mother.
Other staff introduced to the Queen and Prince Philip were chief librarian Helen Osborn, Patrick Brogan, Rosemary Adams, Gayle Waterson, Wendy Scott, Sylvia Graham and Wilma Armstrong.
Ms Armstrong, an executive officer with the Library Service, suffered a stroke 12 weeks ago and was a special guest for the day. The Queen asked her if she was back to work so soon and, when told it was a one off, said: "You appear to be making a speedy recovery and you are looking very well."
Rev. William Clarke, rector of Edenderry Parish Church, was the last to shake the Queen's hand. He said: "It has always been a wish of mine to meet the Queen. It was nice to see her in Omagh and it just goes to prove that all good things come to those who wait."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1023
Published Date: 16-May-02
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