OMAGH MARKS NINTH ANNIVERSARY OF BOMBING
Omagh marks ninth anniversary of bombing
BY MARK McKELVEY
m.mckelvey@ulsterherald.com
NINE years on since the Omagh Bomb, the painful memories of that fateful day are still close to the hearts of the thousands that were affected.
The Omagh Victim's support Group has again taken responsibility for organising this year's memorial service, which is scheduled to take place this Sunday August 12 at 3pm in the Memorial Garden.
It will, as always be an inter-denominational service with representatives from the three governments of the countries affected by the bombing attending the service.
The Consul General of Spain, Dr Valdes will be representing those who died from his country. Senior Official Political Director Chris MacCabe from the Northern Ireland Office and Sean Power TD Irish Minister of State with special responsibility for equality issues will be representing both Northern and Southern Governments respectively.
There will also be a message of support read out from the American Government during the service.
Omagh singer's Lesley Matthews and Don Sullivan are also playing a significant role in this years service. Don will be singing 'Omagh Town', a song he written that recalls his time as a young man in Omagh, which also reflects on Omagh's tragic experience with the bombing, respecting all those who suffered.
Chairman of the Support Group, Michael Gallagher explained how this could be the last year the memorial service is organised by the victims themselves and the last time the memorial garden is used in its current design as the Council is preparing major redevelopment plans for next years service.
"We are not sure what is going to happen after this year as the Council is taking over the organisation for the 10th anniversary service and it is unknown what will happen beyond that," said Michael.
"We do hope there will be some other way of marking the anniversary each year and maybe that is something both the victim's group and the wider community can come to an agreement on.
"In the future I hope there will be a worthwhile event held on or close the anniversary each year to mark the event, as it is a very significant event to the history of Omagh, and the history of the Northern Ireland troubles, as the single biggest atrocity and the fact it happened during peace time is important and I feel there should be an event held every year that people can feel comfortable with.
"It is a measure of our community how we remember our died and I think we have carried the baton for the past number of years and after the 10th anniversary we hope the wider community and victims group can come together and find some meaningful way to mark the anniversaries.
"This is the one opportunity in the year were people can come out and support the families and all of those people who were affected by the Omagh bomb, not just the bereaved and injured but everybody in the wider Omagh area whose lives were touched.
"We have been moved by the support we have had so far. It is warm and comforting to know that people haven't forgotten.
"It is also a great opportunity to meet people you may not have seen for a year, so there is a social element as well when everyone meets after the remembrance service in Omagh Library for a cup of tea. I would welcome everyone to come along on Sunday."
BY MARK McKELVEY
m.mckelvey@ulsterherald.com
NINE years on since the Omagh Bomb, the painful memories of that fateful day are still close to the hearts of the thousands that were affected.
The Omagh Victim's support Group has again taken responsibility for organising this year's memorial service, which is scheduled to take place this Sunday August 12 at 3pm in the Memorial Garden.
It will, as always be an inter-denominational service with representatives from the three governments of the countries affected by the bombing attending the service.
The Consul General of Spain, Dr Valdes will be representing those who died from his country. Senior Official Political Director Chris MacCabe from the Northern Ireland Office and Sean Power TD Irish Minister of State with special responsibility for equality issues will be representing both Northern and Southern Governments respectively.
There will also be a message of support read out from the American Government during the service.
Omagh singer's Lesley Matthews and Don Sullivan are also playing a significant role in this years service. Don will be singing 'Omagh Town', a song he written that recalls his time as a young man in Omagh, which also reflects on Omagh's tragic experience with the bombing, respecting all those who suffered.
Chairman of the Support Group, Michael Gallagher explained how this could be the last year the memorial service is organised by the victims themselves and the last time the memorial garden is used in its current design as the Council is preparing major redevelopment plans for next years service.
"We are not sure what is going to happen after this year as the Council is taking over the organisation for the 10th anniversary service and it is unknown what will happen beyond that," said Michael.
"We do hope there will be some other way of marking the anniversary each year and maybe that is something both the victim's group and the wider community can come to an agreement on.
"In the future I hope there will be a worthwhile event held on or close the anniversary each year to mark the event, as it is a very significant event to the history of Omagh, and the history of the Northern Ireland troubles, as the single biggest atrocity and the fact it happened during peace time is important and I feel there should be an event held every year that people can feel comfortable with.
"It is a measure of our community how we remember our died and I think we have carried the baton for the past number of years and after the 10th anniversary we hope the wider community and victims group can come together and find some meaningful way to mark the anniversaries.
"This is the one opportunity in the year were people can come out and support the families and all of those people who were affected by the Omagh bomb, not just the bereaved and injured but everybody in the wider Omagh area whose lives were touched.
"We have been moved by the support we have had so far. It is warm and comforting to know that people haven't forgotten.
"It is also a great opportunity to meet people you may not have seen for a year, so there is a social element as well when everyone meets after the remembrance service in Omagh Library for a cup of tea. I would welcome everyone to come along on Sunday."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1907
Published Date: 09-Aug-07
Related Images
There have been no images archived for this article.