GENEROSITY
Generosity
This week, the Omagh Fund received one of the largest single contributions since it was established, when the GAA handed over a cheque for three quarters of a million pounds.
There is no question as to the good that this sum will do for those who suffered terribly since August 15th last year.
However, more significant than the amount itself, is the body of goodwill which generated that sum. People from diverse backgrounds and political leanings throughout the country contributed time and again. The donation to the Fund represents a willingness to help those who suffered, it is a reaching out by ordinary people who know of no other way to help.
In the past, the GAA has been attacked and lambasted by many within unionism as a sectarian, divisive body, though such claims were easily dismissed, there has been a sustained and contemptible drive by loyalism to impugn the reputation of the Association. Its work in putting together this huge contribution causes any such criticisms to pale into insignificance.
For many years, the GAA members and administrators have been subject to loyalist paramilitary attacks and many members have been murdered. For that reason the Association has a special understanding of the impact of the Market Street bomb. Indeed, many of those killed and injured on that fateful day were supporters and members of the Association.
Though the fundraising efforts and the many positive aspects of the Association are highly credit worthy, the GAA missed out on one important opportunity to build bridges when, in the aftermath of the bomb, permission was not forthcoming for a fund raising soccer match to be held in Omagh's GAA grounds. That match would have had monumental importance for community relations as well as raising a substantial sum for the Fund.
In spite if it's shortcomings on that occasion, the Association has since in its inception, been a positive force in Irish society. It instilled a sense of self pride and national pride in generations of young people who grew up in years of economic and political instability. Moreover the sporting and cultural activities provided by that body played a significant role in teaching young people self-discipline, and the importance of their cultural heritage.
Clearly, the potential of the GAA to play an even greater role in promoting long lasting peace and intercommunity harmony is considerable. For that historical body the challenge for the future must be to impress upon both communities in Northern Ireland that the cultural, intellectual and sporting heritage of Ireland is the property of all Irish people, irrespective of religion, politics or aspiration.
This week, the Omagh Fund received one of the largest single contributions since it was established, when the GAA handed over a cheque for three quarters of a million pounds.
There is no question as to the good that this sum will do for those who suffered terribly since August 15th last year.
However, more significant than the amount itself, is the body of goodwill which generated that sum. People from diverse backgrounds and political leanings throughout the country contributed time and again. The donation to the Fund represents a willingness to help those who suffered, it is a reaching out by ordinary people who know of no other way to help.
In the past, the GAA has been attacked and lambasted by many within unionism as a sectarian, divisive body, though such claims were easily dismissed, there has been a sustained and contemptible drive by loyalism to impugn the reputation of the Association. Its work in putting together this huge contribution causes any such criticisms to pale into insignificance.
For many years, the GAA members and administrators have been subject to loyalist paramilitary attacks and many members have been murdered. For that reason the Association has a special understanding of the impact of the Market Street bomb. Indeed, many of those killed and injured on that fateful day were supporters and members of the Association.
Though the fundraising efforts and the many positive aspects of the Association are highly credit worthy, the GAA missed out on one important opportunity to build bridges when, in the aftermath of the bomb, permission was not forthcoming for a fund raising soccer match to be held in Omagh's GAA grounds. That match would have had monumental importance for community relations as well as raising a substantial sum for the Fund.
In spite if it's shortcomings on that occasion, the Association has since in its inception, been a positive force in Irish society. It instilled a sense of self pride and national pride in generations of young people who grew up in years of economic and political instability. Moreover the sporting and cultural activities provided by that body played a significant role in teaching young people self-discipline, and the importance of their cultural heritage.
Clearly, the potential of the GAA to play an even greater role in promoting long lasting peace and intercommunity harmony is considerable. For that historical body the challenge for the future must be to impress upon both communities in Northern Ireland that the cultural, intellectual and sporting heritage of Ireland is the property of all Irish people, irrespective of religion, politics or aspiration.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1264
Published Date: 27-May-99
Related Images
There have been no images archived for this article.