OMAGH HELPS LIGHT UP THE COUNTRY
Omagh helps light up the country
By JOHN McCUSKER
TORCHES from the Millennium Beacon lit in Omagh on Friday night have already blazed a trail of celebration throughout the country.
And the Omagh flame currently housed in the Leisure Centre will now be used to launch a local Millennium Carnival, starting next month and culminating in a massive street festival in June of next year.
The beacon of hope drew gasps from the 30,000-strong crowd when it was lit by Secretary of State, Dr Mo Mowlam and local students, Leanne Martin and Brendan Grimes during the UK Millennium launch show.
Tapers from it were carried from the Showgrounds by some of the 40 members of the International Millennium Gold Encounter Project, who are currently taking part in a three week celebration at various venues throughout Ireland.
Twenty-two cities throughout the UK including London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Birmingham have since received flames from 'Beacon Millennium'. These were carried in a series of miner's lamps which had been specially manufactured in order that Lord Mayors from the various regions could transport the flames.
Other torches were used to launch weekend celebrations throughout the North, including those in Belfast, Derry and Armagh.
And at the hoisting of the Strangford Stone at Delamont Country Park in Killyleagh on Saturday, Dr Mowlam praised the previous night's event in Omagh, saying it had provided a superb launch-pad for the year 2000 celebrations.
"I believe the energy of the Corrs music, the light from the Omagh Millennium Beacon and the hope of all our young people, provide us with the best start possible to our preparations for the new Millennium" she added.
Paddy Murphy of the Millennium Company said those attending the Omagh launch had really enjoyed themselves.
"It was an absolutely superb night. We know that over 30,000 attended the event and throughout the weekend a further 60-70,000 took part in celebrations right across the North.
So Omagh started the ball rolling and over 100,000 people have since taken part in various festival celebrations throughout Northern Ireland" he added.
Omagh's Millennium Festival moves into full swing next month and will run until June 2000. It consists of a nine-month arts development programme - including a variety of workshops and concludes with a huge street carnival and family fun day in the town next June.
Villages from throughout the Omagh District Council area will also have the opportunity to celebrate.
A special Cross-Villages Challenge event which begins later this month and runs until next August will see teams compete in a variety of sporting attractions.
Included will be competitions in Gaelic football and soccer for 12-16 year olds, a series of road races and a bowling contest. A special indoor athletics meeting for people with disabilities has also be arranged, together with 'It's a Knockout' challenge for adults.
By JOHN McCUSKER
TORCHES from the Millennium Beacon lit in Omagh on Friday night have already blazed a trail of celebration throughout the country.
And the Omagh flame currently housed in the Leisure Centre will now be used to launch a local Millennium Carnival, starting next month and culminating in a massive street festival in June of next year.
The beacon of hope drew gasps from the 30,000-strong crowd when it was lit by Secretary of State, Dr Mo Mowlam and local students, Leanne Martin and Brendan Grimes during the UK Millennium launch show.
Tapers from it were carried from the Showgrounds by some of the 40 members of the International Millennium Gold Encounter Project, who are currently taking part in a three week celebration at various venues throughout Ireland.
Twenty-two cities throughout the UK including London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Birmingham have since received flames from 'Beacon Millennium'. These were carried in a series of miner's lamps which had been specially manufactured in order that Lord Mayors from the various regions could transport the flames.
Other torches were used to launch weekend celebrations throughout the North, including those in Belfast, Derry and Armagh.
And at the hoisting of the Strangford Stone at Delamont Country Park in Killyleagh on Saturday, Dr Mowlam praised the previous night's event in Omagh, saying it had provided a superb launch-pad for the year 2000 celebrations.
"I believe the energy of the Corrs music, the light from the Omagh Millennium Beacon and the hope of all our young people, provide us with the best start possible to our preparations for the new Millennium" she added.
Paddy Murphy of the Millennium Company said those attending the Omagh launch had really enjoyed themselves.
"It was an absolutely superb night. We know that over 30,000 attended the event and throughout the weekend a further 60-70,000 took part in celebrations right across the North.
So Omagh started the ball rolling and over 100,000 people have since taken part in various festival celebrations throughout Northern Ireland" he added.
Omagh's Millennium Festival moves into full swing next month and will run until June 2000. It consists of a nine-month arts development programme - including a variety of workshops and concludes with a huge street carnival and family fun day in the town next June.
Villages from throughout the Omagh District Council area will also have the opportunity to celebrate.
A special Cross-Villages Challenge event which begins later this month and runs until next August will see teams compete in a variety of sporting attractions.
Included will be competitions in Gaelic football and soccer for 12-16 year olds, a series of road races and a bowling contest. A special indoor athletics meeting for people with disabilities has also be arranged, together with 'It's a Knockout' challenge for adults.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1305
Published Date: 09-Sep-99
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