5
10
42
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Remembering 'Petals of Hope' (<em>collection</em>)
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Some of the recorded stories can be found at the 'Petals of Hope Revisited' blog: <a href="http://www.omaghpetals.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">www.omaghpetals.blogspot.co.uk/</a><br /><strong>See also:</strong><br /> Information about the original Petals of Hope project on Carole Kane's website: <a href="http://www.carolekane.com/index.php?/petals-of-hope/" target="_blank">www.carolekane.com/</a>
Stories Collected
Non DC - Number of stories recorded as part of the project.
15 video; 23 text
Stories Deposited
Non DC - Number of stories deposited with Accounts of the Conflict.
11 video; 15 text
Collection Permission Form
Non DC - Collection permission form signed and returned.
Yes (signed 29 March 2014)
Description
An account of the resource
The Remembering 'Petals of Hope' project (2013-14) produced a collection of 15 audio visual and 23 written stories related to the Omagh Bomb (15 August 1998). The work involved in conducting the interviews and producing the recordings was carried out by Carole Kane and Malachi O'Doherty.<br /> Carole Kane, a freelance artist / community arts facilitator, was involved in the original 'Petals of Hope' project (1998-99) in association with Omagh District Council, which, with the assistance of children from Omagh, transformed floral tributes left at the scene of the bomb into handmade paper and art work. This resulted in an exhibition in the spring and summer of 1999 and the publication of the exhibition catalogue entitled 'Petals of Hope' (1999).
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Carole Kane, and Malachi O'Doherty
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2014
Language
A language of the resource
English
Relation
A related resource
See also:<br /><em>The booklet:</em> <br /><strong>Kane, Carole., and O'Doherty, Malachi.</strong> (2014). Remembering: "Petals of Hope" - Artistic responses to the Omagh Bomb. Omagh: VSS and Omagh District Council.<br /><em>Web sites:</em><br /><a href="http://www.carolekane.com" target="_blank">www.carolekane.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.omagh.gov.uk/" target="_blank">www.omagh.gov.uk</a><br /><a href="http://www.omagh.gov.uk/district_of_omagh/omagh_remembers/petals_of_hope/" target="_blank">www.omagh.gov.uk/district_of_omagh/omagh_remembers/petals_of_hope/</a><br /> The original exhibition catalogue:<br /><strong>Kane, Carole.</strong> (1999). Petals of Hope. Omagh: Omagh District Council.<br />The catalogue is available to purchase at this Web page:<br /><a href="http://www.omagh.gov.uk/culture_leisure_and_tourism/visitor_services/online_book_store/?bookID=31" target="_blank">www.omagh.gov.uk/culture_leisure_and_tourism/visitor_services/online_book_store/?bookID=31</a>
Permission Form Scanned
Non DC - Scan of permission form uploaded to archive.
Yes
Delayed Access
Non DC - Yes/No on request for delayed access.
No
Availability Online
Non DC - Availabilty Status (deposited, delayed, external, cain)
deposited
Contact
Non DC - Contact person within the organisation.
Carole Kane (carolekane@btinternet.com)<br />Jean Brennan, Arts Manager, Omagh District Council (jean.brennan@omagh.gov.uk)
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Story Title
The title, if any, of the story or account.
<em>'It goes somewhere that is beyond language ...'</em>
Story Available
Y/N
Yes
Story Format
Main format of the story (video; audio; etc.).
Text
Story Source
Source of where the story can be found.
Story contained in the booklet: <br /><strong>Kane, Carole., and O'Doherty, Malachi.</strong> (2014). Remebering: "Petals of Hope" - Artistic responses to the Omagh Bomb. Omagh: VSS and Omagh District Council.<br /> ISBN 978-1-86-991922-1<br />Booklet available for download at Petals of Hope Revisted blogspot:<br /><a href="http://www.omaghpetals.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.omaghpetals.blogspot.co.uk/</a>
Interviewee Surname
Pinto
Interviewee Forename(s)
Boris
Interviewee Gender
Male
Themes/Topics Mentioned
Major Themes/Topics first, then sub-themes and topics.
Bombing
Dates Mentioned
Specific dates, or ranges.
15 August 1998 [1990s]
Events Mentioned
Major events mentioned.
Omagh bomb (15 August 1998)
Places Mentioned
Places mentioned: cities, towns, villages, etc.
Omagh [County Tyrone, Northern Ireland]
Other Keywords
Other keywords mentioned in the interview.
victims, survivors; car bomb, bombs, explosions, explosives
Ind Permission Form
Yes/No - Individual permission form signed and returned to Accounts.
Yes (signed 26 February 2014)
Ind Form Uploaded
Scanned copy of paper form for preservation alongside the stories.
Yes
Ind Delay Access Y/N
Y/N for individual story-teller delayed access request (check signed permission form)
No
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
<em>'It goes somewhere that is beyond language ...'</em>, by Boris Pinto (<em>story details</em>)
Description
An account of the resource
One of 20 personal accounts related to the Omagh Bomb (15 August 1998). The accounts were published in the booklet Remembering: "Petals of Hope".
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Kane, Carole., and O'Doherty, Malachi.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2014
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Text
Language
A language of the resource
English
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
VSS and Omagh District Council.
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Omagh (County Tyrone, Northern Ireland); 1998
Collection ID
Non DC - ID for the Collection that relates to this entry
155
Organisation ID
Non DC - ID for the Organisation that relates to this entry
154
CAIN Links
Non DC - Links to related information on CAIN
CAIN Glossary: <a class="lightwindow page-options" title="Additional related information on the CAIN Web site" href="https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/othelem/glossary.htm#omaghbomb" target="_blank">Omagh Bomb</a><br />CAIN Key Event: <a class="lightwindow page-options" title="Additional related information on the CAIN Web site" href="https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/events/omagh/index.html" target="_blank">Omagh Bomb</a> (15 August 1998)<br />CAIN: Sutton's Index of Deaths: <a class="lightwindow page-options" title="Additional related information on the CAIN Web site" href="https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/cgi-bin/dyndeaths.pl?querytype=text&keyword=Omagh%20bomb" target="_blank">All Omagh bomb deaths</a>
Availability Online
Non DC - Availabilty Status (deposited, delayed, external, cain)
deposited
Remembering 'Petals of Hope'
Workers' Educational Association (WEA)
-
https://accounts.ulster.ac.uk/repo24/files/original/903dd055f7bd691e0728b5d9ab664e80.pdf
c3fd675c55ecbb9233de1140fe73d03f
PDF Text
Text
Remembering:
“Petals of Hope”
Artistic responses to the Omagh Bomb
Conversations with Carole Kane and Malachi O’Doherty
1
�When the petals fell
She gathered them, child’s play
And wove the path home
John Paul Lederach
�Remembering:
“Petals of Hope”
Artistic responses to the Omagh Bomb
Conversations with Carole Kane and Malachi O’Doherty
ISBN: 978-1-86-991922-1
3
�Contents
Introduction 5
Boris Pinto
7
Cat Wilkinson
9
Eilish McAuley
11
Evelyn Johns
12
Frank Sweeney
13
Elaine Gallagher
14
Gabrielle McAleer
16
Irene Lowry
17
Frank Sweeney
18
Jean Brennan
19
Julie Gibson
20
Michael and Patsy Gallagher
22
Molly Montague
23
Molly Montague and Bridie Breen
24
Nicole Watt
25
Olga Bradshaw
27
Lorna Martin
29
Patsy Gallagher
30
Trudy Sharkey
31
Elaine Gallagher
33
Cathy O’Donnell
34
Malachi O’Doherty
35
4
�Carole Kane
Introduction
I have explained my involvement in the Petals of Hope project to many people over the
past fifteen years. I would tell them how we gathered up all the flowers that were laid
on the streets of the town to honour the grief caused by the bomb on August 15, 1998.
I would explain how these were dried and made into paper and fashioned by school
children into art works.
As I would start to talk, the usual reaction, especially of those who live in Northern Ireland,
would be to interrupt me, to tell me where they were that day, when they heard about the
bomb.
Some have even recalled the finer details, the clothes they were wearing or who they
were with.
“� hen I heard about the bomb, I was in the caravan...” “When I heard about the
W
bomb, I was in the garage...” “ When I heard about the bomb, I was going to my
sister’s...” “I was driving when I heard about the bomb...”
I have heard this so frequently, that I almost anticipate this reaction, allow them the
chance to tell me, for it shows their connection with the disaster and how much of a
shock it was for them.
Over this past eight months or so, when we have been back in Omagh working on the
most recent phase of the experience, I’ve been conscious of a change in the response. I
was quite taken aback the first few times I heard it.
“�When I felt the bomb, I was in my friend’s house...” “When I felt the bomb, I was in the
office...” “When I felt the bomb...”
This change from “hearing about the bomb” to “feeling the bomb” is significant because
it indicates how widely the impact had extended. The vibration of the destruction
resounded far beyond the devastatingly physical impact on the immediate, out to
the listener or the stranger who lived miles away. The immeasurable shock and pain
stretched beyond this land. Their echo returned to Omagh in heartfelt sympathy and love,
demonstrated in the sending of flowers, gentle words, prayers spoken. Without these, the
Petals of Hope, Rays of Light project could not have happened.
Malachi O’Doherty and I have been in Omagh, having conversations with people who
were involved in one aspect or another of the original project who responded to a public
invitation to meet. As you will hear when you listen to their stories, some had left flowers, or
had cleared them away as part of their council job, some took part in the workshops of the
arts project through their school or as a member of the Carrickmore sewing group. Others
in bereaved families received pictures. We acknowledge that many, for their own reasons,
have decided that their involvement now stays within those early days of 1998-99. We
5
�respect their silence but all are invited to listen to these conversations or read the collection
of experiences.
One fundamental theme shines through both phases of this creative endeavour and may
explain why this tactile process has worked, if it has. In a simple play technique, we mixed
mulch and pulp with delicate flowers, into basins of water, piece by piece, practising the
ritual of rhythmic movement. This allowed us to find feeling in our hands and our hearts,
as our heads tried, or maybe stopped trying, to make sense for a while.
By working alone or in small groups, in silence and humility, without questions, hope
started to appear and like “a sea-change”, we were changed. The result has given a
different sense of worth in this memorial.
One of the contributors describes Omagh as a “running sore” and there are those who
still grieve and know great loss. Yet there has been much said about how the people of
Omagh rallied together, supported and cared for each other, being gentle when that
was needed and this capacity is still within their community.
I originally trained as weaver and naturally look for patterns in shapes and colours.
There are many shapes and colours in these stories. Collectively, they display an array
of sometimes darker shades, touching on extreme pain while others are more tactile,
showing depth of dignity and humanity. Beauty is evident in all, including the most
painful, and it wasn’t our place to exclude them for this reason; it is more important to
share them.
It continues to be an amazing privilege to be present alongside some of those who were
affected by such an atrocity. Their strength inspires me and has taught me more than I
can express.
These and more audio-digital stories can be found at www.omaghpetals.blogspot.co.uk
6
�Malachi O’Doherty
I didn’t know about Petals of Hope. That simple fact shocks me, now that I am familiar
with it. At the time of the Omagh bomb I was thinking like a journalist about the horrific
details and the political implications. Mostly, I was stunned. We had lived with the lazy
and unfounded understanding that a bomb in the street will rarely kill more than a couple
of people, will often kill nobody.
Omagh seemed to tell us that, for all our decades of experience, we really didn’t know
bombs at all.
There had been other projects for peace making and healing, some of them a bit twee
or self important, some of them secret, involving contacts and intermediaries, relying on
the goodwill of people who had often exercised bad will.
What was special about Petals of Hope was that it did not come out of an organisation
or community group, a think tank or a committee; no long period of devising and fund
raising had preceded it.
It arose from a simple question, heard on the radio. What are they going to do with all
those flowers?
Carole Kane had an idea and she called the Omagh District Council Arts and Culture
Officer, Frank Sweeney and told him she could make some of the flowers into paper and
make a nice art work, a tribute to the grief of the town.
Sweeney responded with a bigger idea still; turn all of them into paper, make lots of
pictures, we’ll give you everything you need; we’ll get children out of school to help you.
And, as Boris Pinto says, sometimes just doing something is better than trying to say
anything, because words are not adequate. Boris was one of the children who helped.
He is now a forensic psychiatrist.
Elaine Gallagher, who also helped, has since worked in art therapy.
Both were prompted towards their vocation by the experience of Petals of Hope, a project
that said nothing, when nothing could be said.
For the past few months I have been going to Omagh with Carole and meeting people
who were involved in Petals of Hope, remembering the project and the parts they played,
reflecting on what it meant to them.
What it means to me is a reminder that sometimes we miss a big story in the margins of
a bigger one. Petals of Hope, in a region in which many have laboured and paid out to
develop peace making and reconciliation, is a reminder that sometimes it just happens,
because someone has a good idea and gets on with it.
These and more audio-digital stories can be found at www.omaghpetals.blogspot.co.uk
35
�The photographs featuring the workshops and paper-making process
have been taken by Carole Kane. All audio recordings and the other
photographic images in this book and the digital stories, have been
recorded and captured by Malachi O’Doherty. I’d like to thank Malachi for
his technical expertise, insights and commitment which have extended far
beyond the original plans for this phase of the project.
Both phases of this creative process have been steered through a spirit of
presence, gentleness, listening and healing. We would like to thank all who
have shared their thoughts, experiences and reflections of the Petals of
Hope project and Omagh Bomb of 1998. Your conversations have made
this encounter unique and possible. We are grateful for your contributions.
Special thanks is given to Professor John Paul Lederach, David Bolton and
others, whose conversations and timely words have directly encouraged us
to proceed with and supported us during the few months of this project.
Acknowledgment goes to the Workers’ Educational Association for initiating
this phase of the project and Libraries NI for accommodating this learning
experience and allowing us to connect with the Omagh Bomb Archive.
The financial support is greatly appreciated from the Victims and Survivors
Service and Omagh District Council.
Carole Kane
36
�This publication has received support from the Victims Support Programme for Groups
Working with Victims and Survivors, which is administered by VSS on behalf of the Office of
the First and Deputy First Minister. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of
the Victims and Survivors Service.
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Remembering 'Petals of Hope' (<em>collection</em>)
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Some of the recorded stories can be found at the 'Petals of Hope Revisited' blog: <a href="http://www.omaghpetals.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">www.omaghpetals.blogspot.co.uk/</a><br /><strong>See also:</strong><br /> Information about the original Petals of Hope project on Carole Kane's website: <a href="http://www.carolekane.com/index.php?/petals-of-hope/" target="_blank">www.carolekane.com/</a>
Stories Collected
Non DC - Number of stories recorded as part of the project.
15 video; 23 text
Stories Deposited
Non DC - Number of stories deposited with Accounts of the Conflict.
11 video; 15 text
Collection Permission Form
Non DC - Collection permission form signed and returned.
Yes (signed 29 March 2014)
Description
An account of the resource
The Remembering 'Petals of Hope' project (2013-14) produced a collection of 15 audio visual and 23 written stories related to the Omagh Bomb (15 August 1998). The work involved in conducting the interviews and producing the recordings was carried out by Carole Kane and Malachi O'Doherty.<br /> Carole Kane, a freelance artist / community arts facilitator, was involved in the original 'Petals of Hope' project (1998-99) in association with Omagh District Council, which, with the assistance of children from Omagh, transformed floral tributes left at the scene of the bomb into handmade paper and art work. This resulted in an exhibition in the spring and summer of 1999 and the publication of the exhibition catalogue entitled 'Petals of Hope' (1999).
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Carole Kane, and Malachi O'Doherty
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2014
Language
A language of the resource
English
Relation
A related resource
See also:<br /><em>The booklet:</em> <br /><strong>Kane, Carole., and O'Doherty, Malachi.</strong> (2014). Remembering: "Petals of Hope" - Artistic responses to the Omagh Bomb. Omagh: VSS and Omagh District Council.<br /><em>Web sites:</em><br /><a href="http://www.carolekane.com" target="_blank">www.carolekane.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.omagh.gov.uk/" target="_blank">www.omagh.gov.uk</a><br /><a href="http://www.omagh.gov.uk/district_of_omagh/omagh_remembers/petals_of_hope/" target="_blank">www.omagh.gov.uk/district_of_omagh/omagh_remembers/petals_of_hope/</a><br /> The original exhibition catalogue:<br /><strong>Kane, Carole.</strong> (1999). Petals of Hope. Omagh: Omagh District Council.<br />The catalogue is available to purchase at this Web page:<br /><a href="http://www.omagh.gov.uk/culture_leisure_and_tourism/visitor_services/online_book_store/?bookID=31" target="_blank">www.omagh.gov.uk/culture_leisure_and_tourism/visitor_services/online_book_store/?bookID=31</a>
Permission Form Scanned
Non DC - Scan of permission form uploaded to archive.
Yes
Delayed Access
Non DC - Yes/No on request for delayed access.
No
Availability Online
Non DC - Availabilty Status (deposited, delayed, external, cain)
deposited
Contact
Non DC - Contact person within the organisation.
Carole Kane (carolekane@btinternet.com)<br />Jean Brennan, Arts Manager, Omagh District Council (jean.brennan@omagh.gov.uk)
Publication
A book, article, monograph etc.
Author
Author of the publication
Kane, Carole., and O'Doherty, Malachi.
Date Type
Publication, Submission, Completion date etc.
Publication
Publication Title
Full title of publication, as it appears on item.
Remebering: "Petals of Hope" - Artistic responses to the Omagh Bomb.
Publisher Location
Place of publication: city / town
Omagh
Publisher
VSS and Omagh District Council.
Publication Type
Report, Book, Manual etc.
Booklet
Publication Status
Published, in Press, Unpublished, etc.
Published
ISBN
978-1-86-991922-1
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Remembering 'Petals of Hope' (<em>book details</em>)
Description
An account of the resource
A booklet containing personal accounts that arose out of the Remembering 'Petals of Hope' project.<br /><strong>Kane, Carole., and O'Doherty, Malachi.</strong> (2014). Remebering: "Petals of Hope" - Artistic responses to the Omagh Bomb. Omagh: VSS and Omagh District Council.<br />ISBN 978-1-86-991922-1<br />Booklet available for download at Petals of Hope Revisted blogspot:<br /><a href="http://www.omaghpetals.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.omaghpetals.blogspot.co.uk/</a>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2014
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Kane, Carole., and O'Doherty, Malachi.
Collection ID
Non DC - ID for the Collection that relates to this entry
155
Organisation ID
Non DC - ID for the Organisation that relates to this entry
154
Availability Online
Non DC - Availabilty Status (deposited, delayed, external, cain)
external
Remembering 'Petals of Hope'
Workers' Educational Association (WEA)