RED CARPET ROLLED OUT FOR OMAGH COUPLES AFFECTED BY THE BOMB
Red carpet rolled out for Omagh couples affected by the bomb
THREE couples from the Omagh area, all of whom had been affected by the Omagh bomb have sampled of the milk of human kindness following their invitation to a small village outside of Galway.
The visit had been organised by local DJ and business owner, Ger Cook from the village of Monivea, Galway, who organised the trip, and set the tone for the weekend. He made it clear that no one would be asking personal questions or wanting graphic details of how the bomb affected their lives, said one of those who enjoyed the trip, "We were simply to use the opportunity to get away from the memories of last August."
In a statement issued this week some of the participants, who wished to remain anonymous, recalled the visit.
"Leaving Omagh on Thursday afternoon we were anxious as to what lay ahead. For some of us this was to be the first time we had been away from our families since August 15th. We had all attended some of the events that had been organised at the time and had been hurt and disappointed at the way in which they had been stage managed to suit the agenda of those wanting favourable publicity for themselves, lacking consideration for the enormous feeling of grief and loss that we were experiencing."
"On our arrival at Headford, which was to be our first night's stop we were given the red carpet treatment from Frank Heneghan and his family at the Angler's Rest Hotel. On the Friday morning our transport awaited, provided by Paraic O'Kane to take us to what must be one of the most stunning places on earth, Ashford Castle. We were treated to a tour and morning coffee. From there it was on to Connemara and a reception at Kylemore Abbey", said one of the participants.
The Benedictine nuns gave the party a tour of the Abbey which is now run as a private school with over sixteen nationalities attending. Following that the visitors were introduced to the film crew of Telefis na Gaelige and were filmed for that channel.
The statement continued "On our way back to Galway City, our accommodation for the next two nights in Corleck House, owned by Sean Leydon, we stopped by the NUI Galway for a concert organised by Paddy Jordan of the Music Society. We all appreciate the financial hardships of student life and, therefore, their generosity towards us was amazing.
"Ger, once again was full of surprises and on Saturday he announced that we would be attending the Galway People of the Year Awards, a gala event with over 600 people attending. Naturally, none of us came prepared, but Marie Louise Bridal Gowns, kindly donated the glamorous evening gowns and smart black evening suits."
The Highlight of the break was a trip to Monivea "The local people met us with a horse and carriage which brought us into the village and the people came out of their homes and lit small bonfires to welcome us.
"Father Pat O'Donaghue conducted an informal Mass at the function Room of McGanns Bar and captured their feelings of anger and disbelief as to what had happened in Omagh. The genuine sympathy of these ordinary people, like ourselves were extremely touching and meant more to us than from any heads of state."
On Sunday the group were guests of honour at Busker Brownes who also sponsored the prize for the Blind Date contest, which was to be held in the Goal Post Bar. The statement concluded with expressions of gratitude to people of Galway.
THREE couples from the Omagh area, all of whom had been affected by the Omagh bomb have sampled of the milk of human kindness following their invitation to a small village outside of Galway.
The visit had been organised by local DJ and business owner, Ger Cook from the village of Monivea, Galway, who organised the trip, and set the tone for the weekend. He made it clear that no one would be asking personal questions or wanting graphic details of how the bomb affected their lives, said one of those who enjoyed the trip, "We were simply to use the opportunity to get away from the memories of last August."
In a statement issued this week some of the participants, who wished to remain anonymous, recalled the visit.
"Leaving Omagh on Thursday afternoon we were anxious as to what lay ahead. For some of us this was to be the first time we had been away from our families since August 15th. We had all attended some of the events that had been organised at the time and had been hurt and disappointed at the way in which they had been stage managed to suit the agenda of those wanting favourable publicity for themselves, lacking consideration for the enormous feeling of grief and loss that we were experiencing."
"On our arrival at Headford, which was to be our first night's stop we were given the red carpet treatment from Frank Heneghan and his family at the Angler's Rest Hotel. On the Friday morning our transport awaited, provided by Paraic O'Kane to take us to what must be one of the most stunning places on earth, Ashford Castle. We were treated to a tour and morning coffee. From there it was on to Connemara and a reception at Kylemore Abbey", said one of the participants.
The Benedictine nuns gave the party a tour of the Abbey which is now run as a private school with over sixteen nationalities attending. Following that the visitors were introduced to the film crew of Telefis na Gaelige and were filmed for that channel.
The statement continued "On our way back to Galway City, our accommodation for the next two nights in Corleck House, owned by Sean Leydon, we stopped by the NUI Galway for a concert organised by Paddy Jordan of the Music Society. We all appreciate the financial hardships of student life and, therefore, their generosity towards us was amazing.
"Ger, once again was full of surprises and on Saturday he announced that we would be attending the Galway People of the Year Awards, a gala event with over 600 people attending. Naturally, none of us came prepared, but Marie Louise Bridal Gowns, kindly donated the glamorous evening gowns and smart black evening suits."
The Highlight of the break was a trip to Monivea "The local people met us with a horse and carriage which brought us into the village and the people came out of their homes and lit small bonfires to welcome us.
"Father Pat O'Donaghue conducted an informal Mass at the function Room of McGanns Bar and captured their feelings of anger and disbelief as to what had happened in Omagh. The genuine sympathy of these ordinary people, like ourselves were extremely touching and meant more to us than from any heads of state."
On Sunday the group were guests of honour at Busker Brownes who also sponsored the prize for the Blind Date contest, which was to be held in the Goal Post Bar. The statement concluded with expressions of gratitude to people of Galway.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1221
Published Date: 25-Feb-99
Related Images
There have been no images archived for this article.