A week of events focusing on peace and reconciliation organised by the students and staff of Dundalk Institute of Technology begins today with a service attended by the leaders of the four main churches, Archbishop Sean Brady, Archbishop Robin Eames, the Rev David Kerr and the Right Rev Samuel Dixon.
Mr Michael Gallagher, who lost his son Aidan (21) in the Omagh bombing, will address the service, entitled "Ritual of Remembrance". Mr Stanley McCombe, whose wife, Anne, also died in the bombing last August, will also attend. The idea for the "A Time for Peace Week" originated with the institute's students when they returned to college last September.
Father Malachy Conlon, a college chaplain, said: "A number of them approached me wanting to do something for Omagh. It was suggested we run a disco but we then got a group of students and staff to reflect on it.
"The feeling was that Omagh deserved to be remembered with dignity and that we would try and have a week of events to challenge people on our responsibilities to the peace process."
Announcing details of the week, Mr Denis Murphy, director of the institute, recalled the thousands of people who took part in a silent march of Dundalk people a week after the bombing.
"The fact that well over half the populace marched through the town in solidarity with the people of Omagh showed a new sense of involvement in building a new Ireland, in which the dignity of every individual is respected and cherished."
Tomorrow Paul Durcan and Michael Longley will participate in a poetry evening and read some of their own works. On Wednesday there is a variety show. On Thursday there is a forum featuring leading Northern Ireland politicians.
The week closes with an evening of traditional and folk music featuring Luka Bloom, the Sands Family and others.