MEETING WITH PRIME MINISTER WAS HIGHLIGHT OF TRIP
Meeting with Prime Minister was highlight of trip
BY: JOHN McCUSKER
A 10-MINUTE informal meeting with Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern proved to be the highlight of a five-day trip organised as part of the healing process for those affected by the Omagh bombing.
Eighteen young people traumatised as a result of last August's attack, spent the weekend as guests with a number of host families in Liverpool.
During their stay, the visitors were taken on a day-trip to London and paid a visit to the set of Channel 4's Brookside, before travelling on to Anfield to watch Liverpool's last game of the season.
The cross-community venture was arranged in order to assist young people who had suffered as a result of the tragedy, and those taking part were joined by youth leaders, Paddy McMahon, Gary Mortland and Geraldine Colton.
A total of eight Liverpool families were involved in the project which has been described as a therapeutic and helpful move which offered encouragement to victims.
From the group's initial meeting on Thursday evening at the Manor House in Seaforth the warmth and hospitality of the host families involved was evident.
The Omagh party had earlier travelled from Dublin as guests of Seacat, who had made special arrangements for the crossing.
The following day, Richard Branson's Virgin organisation laid on a special first class rail carriage to take the party to London's Euston Station.
From there, the group was taken to Downing Street where the PM and Taoiseach broke off from crunch peace talks with Northern politicians to spend time with the Omagh visitors.
Secretary of State Mo Mowlam - who gave the party a short tour of No l0-afterwards said she hoped the visit had gone some way towards healing the pain of those who had suffered as a result of the tragedy.
Thanking both premiers, youth leader Paddy McMahon commented on the overwhelming generosity of everyone involved in organising the visit. "Gestures like these are warm and cherished by everyone" he added.
A tour of the capital's landmarks followed, including a look around the Tower of London and a trip to Madame Tussards waxworks where the visitors got a chance to meet the 'other' Tony Blair.
The entire day's proceedings was captured by local cable network, Channel 1 whose reporter, Andy Bonner accompanied group members throughout the day.
Speaking afterwards, the organiser behind the trip, Liverpool housewife Libby Lambert said she hoped those who took part benefited in some way from their experience.
Last week's visit was the second such trip organised by the mother-of-two who was moved to tears following the tragic events which unfolded in Omagh last August.
Thanking local councillors and members of the business community who had contributed to the weekend, she said she hoped everyone returned with memories to last a lifetime.
"We are delighted to help the Omagh victims and now hope to continue with the project and take further small groups across to Liverpool" she added.
Fellow organiser, Dave Williams - who was instrumental in arranging transport for the London trip - also saw the day as being a "rich and special" occasion, not only for the victims but also for everyone concerned with the venture.
"I thought the kids looked really gobsmacked when Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern walked in and sat down beside them" he added.
Saturday morning saw the visitors take a ferry trip across the Mersey before attending a civic reception in Liverpool's Town Hall, hosted by Lord Mayor Cllr Bert Herritty and Independent Labour Councillor Alfie Hincks.
A visit to Southport pleasure beach followed, after which the younger children went on to the cinema and teenagers were VIP guests at the city's Paradox Nightclub.
For Sunday morning's tour of Channel 4's Brookside and Hollyoaks sets, the visitors were joined by Omagh ex-pat, Kieran Armstrong, who works as a project co-ordinator on the popular soaps.
After lunch at the Waterloo Tavern, the guests were taken to Anfield to catch the Liverpool v Wimbledon end-of-season fixture.
A 3-0 win for the home side set the mood for a night of 'Scouse culture' at the Railway Bar in Seaforth, during which a range of entertainment was provided by members of the host families.
BY: JOHN McCUSKER
A 10-MINUTE informal meeting with Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern proved to be the highlight of a five-day trip organised as part of the healing process for those affected by the Omagh bombing.
Eighteen young people traumatised as a result of last August's attack, spent the weekend as guests with a number of host families in Liverpool.
During their stay, the visitors were taken on a day-trip to London and paid a visit to the set of Channel 4's Brookside, before travelling on to Anfield to watch Liverpool's last game of the season.
The cross-community venture was arranged in order to assist young people who had suffered as a result of the tragedy, and those taking part were joined by youth leaders, Paddy McMahon, Gary Mortland and Geraldine Colton.
A total of eight Liverpool families were involved in the project which has been described as a therapeutic and helpful move which offered encouragement to victims.
From the group's initial meeting on Thursday evening at the Manor House in Seaforth the warmth and hospitality of the host families involved was evident.
The Omagh party had earlier travelled from Dublin as guests of Seacat, who had made special arrangements for the crossing.
The following day, Richard Branson's Virgin organisation laid on a special first class rail carriage to take the party to London's Euston Station.
From there, the group was taken to Downing Street where the PM and Taoiseach broke off from crunch peace talks with Northern politicians to spend time with the Omagh visitors.
Secretary of State Mo Mowlam - who gave the party a short tour of No l0-afterwards said she hoped the visit had gone some way towards healing the pain of those who had suffered as a result of the tragedy.
Thanking both premiers, youth leader Paddy McMahon commented on the overwhelming generosity of everyone involved in organising the visit. "Gestures like these are warm and cherished by everyone" he added.
A tour of the capital's landmarks followed, including a look around the Tower of London and a trip to Madame Tussards waxworks where the visitors got a chance to meet the 'other' Tony Blair.
The entire day's proceedings was captured by local cable network, Channel 1 whose reporter, Andy Bonner accompanied group members throughout the day.
Speaking afterwards, the organiser behind the trip, Liverpool housewife Libby Lambert said she hoped those who took part benefited in some way from their experience.
Last week's visit was the second such trip organised by the mother-of-two who was moved to tears following the tragic events which unfolded in Omagh last August.
Thanking local councillors and members of the business community who had contributed to the weekend, she said she hoped everyone returned with memories to last a lifetime.
"We are delighted to help the Omagh victims and now hope to continue with the project and take further small groups across to Liverpool" she added.
Fellow organiser, Dave Williams - who was instrumental in arranging transport for the London trip - also saw the day as being a "rich and special" occasion, not only for the victims but also for everyone concerned with the venture.
"I thought the kids looked really gobsmacked when Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern walked in and sat down beside them" he added.
Saturday morning saw the visitors take a ferry trip across the Mersey before attending a civic reception in Liverpool's Town Hall, hosted by Lord Mayor Cllr Bert Herritty and Independent Labour Councillor Alfie Hincks.
A visit to Southport pleasure beach followed, after which the younger children went on to the cinema and teenagers were VIP guests at the city's Paradox Nightclub.
For Sunday morning's tour of Channel 4's Brookside and Hollyoaks sets, the visitors were joined by Omagh ex-pat, Kieran Armstrong, who works as a project co-ordinator on the popular soaps.
After lunch at the Waterloo Tavern, the guests were taken to Anfield to catch the Liverpool v Wimbledon end-of-season fixture.
A 3-0 win for the home side set the mood for a night of 'Scouse culture' at the Railway Bar in Seaforth, during which a range of entertainment was provided by members of the host families.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1259
Published Date: 20-May-99
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