COUNCIL DEBATE PLANS FOR 'HEALING CENTRE' IN OMAGH
Council debate plans for Healing Centre in Omagh
By JACQUELINE COURTNEY
OMAGH could become the second of only two centres in Ireland offering help and support to those with severe disabilities.
The proposed Omagh Recovery and Healing Centre, if it goes ahead, would stand as a longtime memorial to those killed or injured in the 1998 bomb.
Omagh District councillors at a recent special meeting also heard the centre would be a facility which would benefit not only those injured in the bomb, but also the population of the wider area.
Councillors also welcomed the proposal of an education "Spirit of Omagh Bursary" to be provided to one or two local people to assist their studies in the field of Peace and Reconciliation.
The special 'In Committee' meeting dealt specifically with "commemorative proposals" in the wake of the Omagh bombing and agreed a number of proposals, including choosing a site for the permanent memorial garden.
However, these will all undergo further investigation before decisions are made.
Members heard that the creation of the temporary memorial garden at Market Street for the First Anniversary had been widely welcomed and was followed by widespread calls for a permanent memorial.
Draft proposals for a memorial/sensory garden, located within the grounds of Lisnamallard House, were then drawn up by two groups during the International Federation for Housing and Planning summer school.
Lisnamallard had been identified as a possible location because of its mature garden and an added bonus was that the house could also be utilised, possibly as a Centre for Peace and Reconciliation Studies or some similar purpose.
Chief Executive, John McKinney said that one of the objectives of the Omagh Fund was to create a lasting memorial to the victims of the Omagh Bomb. Monies from the Charitable Trust could be used for this purpose and the International Fund for Ireland had indicated it was prepared to provide funding towards any flagship project identified by the Fund.
Members noted that when considering the possible uses for Lisnamallard House, the existing provision of counselling and associated services at the Tara Centre and the Bridge Centre would need to be taken into account.
During a lengthy discussion members felt that the proposals from the IFHP summer school were too large and that a private, quiet garden or similar size to the temporary garden would be more appropriate. It was also felt that Lisnamallard may not be the most appropriate site for a memorial garden, again due to the scale of the overall gardens. It was felt the site may be slightly isolated in terms of security and accessibility.
The most popular alternative site suggested was the Grange Park, which many members felt would be appropriate due to its central location and the high usage of the park by the public. It was felt that a small area of the park could be set aside and screened off as a place for quiet reflection.
Greenhill Cemetery was also put forward as a neutral, council owned location.
Specific design suggestions for the memorial garden included the incorporation of a plaque or marker, the use of a fountain or water feature for tranquillity and high hedging to create privacy.
Councillor PJ McDonnell described a Lutyens Garden which he had visited in County Laois and suggested this could be an appropriate design for a memorial garden.
Turning to additional commemorative ideas three main areas were focused upon. Firstly it was agreed that an education bursary "Spirit of Omagh Bursary" be provided to one of two young local people to assist with studies in the field of Peace and Reconciliation would be appropriate
It was also suggested creating locally a Rehabilitation Centre for those with severe disabilities, possibly using the Lisnamallard site.
Member agreed this would be very worthwhile memorial and use of the monies available. It was agreed also that it was a facility that would benefit not only those injured in the bomb, but also the population of the wider area.
Members were informed that the only other centre in Ireland of this kind was in Dun Laoghaire. A similar facility in Omagh would act as a regional centre serving a large catchment area.
It was further suggested at Recovery and Healing Centre would be a more appropriate title for the facility.
In terms of marking the location of the bomb, Mr McKinney advised 'members that it was intended to incorporate a large art piece or something similar into the redevelopment scheme.
Following further discussion it was agreed that a report on the Lutyens Garden in Laois, and other garden proposals, together with a report on the site options be prepared.
It was further agreed that a presentation be prepared on possible rehabilitation facilities or other uses and how this proposal could be advanced and finally that firm proposals for a 'Spirit of Omagh Bursary' be prepared for discussion by the council and consideration by the Fund.
Permanent Memorial Plans
Amongst the suggestions put forward to help remember the victims of the 1998 bomb are:
*Spirit of Omagh Bursary
*Memorial garden at Lisnamallard House
*Memorial garden at Grange Park
*Memorial garden at Greenhill Cemetery
By JACQUELINE COURTNEY
OMAGH could become the second of only two centres in Ireland offering help and support to those with severe disabilities.
The proposed Omagh Recovery and Healing Centre, if it goes ahead, would stand as a longtime memorial to those killed or injured in the 1998 bomb.
Omagh District councillors at a recent special meeting also heard the centre would be a facility which would benefit not only those injured in the bomb, but also the population of the wider area.
Councillors also welcomed the proposal of an education "Spirit of Omagh Bursary" to be provided to one or two local people to assist their studies in the field of Peace and Reconciliation.
The special 'In Committee' meeting dealt specifically with "commemorative proposals" in the wake of the Omagh bombing and agreed a number of proposals, including choosing a site for the permanent memorial garden.
However, these will all undergo further investigation before decisions are made.
Members heard that the creation of the temporary memorial garden at Market Street for the First Anniversary had been widely welcomed and was followed by widespread calls for a permanent memorial.
Draft proposals for a memorial/sensory garden, located within the grounds of Lisnamallard House, were then drawn up by two groups during the International Federation for Housing and Planning summer school.
Lisnamallard had been identified as a possible location because of its mature garden and an added bonus was that the house could also be utilised, possibly as a Centre for Peace and Reconciliation Studies or some similar purpose.
Chief Executive, John McKinney said that one of the objectives of the Omagh Fund was to create a lasting memorial to the victims of the Omagh Bomb. Monies from the Charitable Trust could be used for this purpose and the International Fund for Ireland had indicated it was prepared to provide funding towards any flagship project identified by the Fund.
Members noted that when considering the possible uses for Lisnamallard House, the existing provision of counselling and associated services at the Tara Centre and the Bridge Centre would need to be taken into account.
During a lengthy discussion members felt that the proposals from the IFHP summer school were too large and that a private, quiet garden or similar size to the temporary garden would be more appropriate. It was also felt that Lisnamallard may not be the most appropriate site for a memorial garden, again due to the scale of the overall gardens. It was felt the site may be slightly isolated in terms of security and accessibility.
The most popular alternative site suggested was the Grange Park, which many members felt would be appropriate due to its central location and the high usage of the park by the public. It was felt that a small area of the park could be set aside and screened off as a place for quiet reflection.
Greenhill Cemetery was also put forward as a neutral, council owned location.
Specific design suggestions for the memorial garden included the incorporation of a plaque or marker, the use of a fountain or water feature for tranquillity and high hedging to create privacy.
Councillor PJ McDonnell described a Lutyens Garden which he had visited in County Laois and suggested this could be an appropriate design for a memorial garden.
Turning to additional commemorative ideas three main areas were focused upon. Firstly it was agreed that an education bursary "Spirit of Omagh Bursary" be provided to one of two young local people to assist with studies in the field of Peace and Reconciliation would be appropriate
It was also suggested creating locally a Rehabilitation Centre for those with severe disabilities, possibly using the Lisnamallard site.
Member agreed this would be very worthwhile memorial and use of the monies available. It was agreed also that it was a facility that would benefit not only those injured in the bomb, but also the population of the wider area.
Members were informed that the only other centre in Ireland of this kind was in Dun Laoghaire. A similar facility in Omagh would act as a regional centre serving a large catchment area.
It was further suggested at Recovery and Healing Centre would be a more appropriate title for the facility.
In terms of marking the location of the bomb, Mr McKinney advised 'members that it was intended to incorporate a large art piece or something similar into the redevelopment scheme.
Following further discussion it was agreed that a report on the Lutyens Garden in Laois, and other garden proposals, together with a report on the site options be prepared.
It was further agreed that a presentation be prepared on possible rehabilitation facilities or other uses and how this proposal could be advanced and finally that firm proposals for a 'Spirit of Omagh Bursary' be prepared for discussion by the council and consideration by the Fund.
Permanent Memorial Plans
Amongst the suggestions put forward to help remember the victims of the 1998 bomb are:
*Spirit of Omagh Bursary
*Memorial garden at Lisnamallard House
*Memorial garden at Grange Park
*Memorial garden at Greenhill Cemetery
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1313
Published Date: 09-Dec-99
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