A poignant silence hung over Enniskillen yesterday morning during the British Legion's Remembrance Day ceremony at the town's war memorial. Memories of the 11 people killed in an IRA bombing during the ceremony 10 years ago were to the forefront of everybody's mind. More than 60 people were injured, some seriously, in the attack. A freezing fog added to the sombre mood, as the Legion's local chairman, Mr Peter O'Donoghue, stepped forward from his colleagues to say the Remembrance prayer. "At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them." The 500-strong crowd responded: "We will remember them." The Church of Ireland primate, Archbishop Robin Eames, later gave his own account of that day. "I recall standing at the door of this cathedral, as we waited for a parade which was not going to arrive. The experiences of the rest of that day will never leave me."
The Ballyreagh Silver Band opened yesterday's proceedings by playing "The Enniskillen Dragoons". They also took part in the ceremony 10 years ago, and some of its members were among the injured. Yesterday, they led the parade to St Macartin's Cathedral, where Archbishop Eames was again waiting for them. They were joined by a second local band, the Derryclavin Band.
Relatives of the bomb victims attended but did not play any active role in the ceremony as they had left flowers at the war memorial on Saturday.
A Cenotaph Party took up positions around the monument, to which 11 bronze doves have been added in memory of the bomb victims. Standard bearers, Royal British Legion members, including decorated veterans, and the 4th division of the Royal Irish Regiment followed commands and took up positions around the Cenotaph. The first wreath of poppies was laid by the Lord Lieutenant of Fermanagh, the Earl of Erne. Local schoolchildren then left a wreath sent by the people of Warrington. The chairman of Fermanagh District Council, independent nationalist, Mr Pat McCaffrey, left a wreath on behalf of the council. He was one of very few attending not wearing a Poppy.
The British Prime Minister, Mr Blair, and the Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, had also sent wreaths. A handwritten note from Dr Mowlam said: "In memory of all those who died at Enniskillen". The message from Mr Blair was "Lest we forget". Others wreaths came from the RUC, the Royal Irish Regiment, branches of the British Legion, local schools and the New Consensus group in Dublin. A lone bugler played "The Last Post".
Relatives of those killed in Enniskillen's Poppy Day bombing stood silently at exactly 10.43 on Saturday morning marking 10 years to the moment when tragedy struck.
Several dozen family members, along with the injured and locals who had helped pull victims from the rubble, attended the War Memorial after a poignant service in the Presbyterian Church.