Community House
Omagh Community House is an umbrella organisation that was formed in February 1998. It's core objective is to establish a landmark building that would serve as a one stop shop for 12 local community and voluntary groups, as well as to the general benefit of the Omagh public.
 Omagh Community House |
The building is situated at the bombsite, in Market Street. Central themes for the design and usage of the building are Community Healing and long-term sustainability. It provides office space for the 12 community groups, all of who provide important services to the entire community. There are also training and conference facilities within the building. The building is to be a lasting and fitting tribute to the victims of the Omagh bomb, with the foyer creating an area for hope, reconciliation and peace for the entire community. It serves as a shining example of community co-operation despite the most provocative attempt at perpetuating division. It is also a unique amalgamation, in that it illustrates a partnership approach between both the voluntary and business sectors. Three private landowners that had property on that site prior to the bomb will be re-instating their businesses as a shared building with the community groups.
The building also facilitates the effective co-operation of local community groups. It will act as a communications centre, co-ordinating local initiatives through the collection and dissemination of information, as well as an information and advice centre. It promotes community involvement within the most socially excluded and isolated groups in society today. The 12 voluntary community groups provide a wide range of services to the disabled, the elderly, long term unemployed, women, young people, people on low incomes, lone parents, ethnic minorities, children and families.
The underpinning principles of the Community House are grass roots community ownership, improving accessibility of services for the most marginalized groups within the district council area, the sustainability of the community and voluntary sector that exists in Omagh, community healing and reflection. The establishment of a communal, accessible and vibrant community building will be the first step in allowing the local community in reclaiming the town for themselves, as well as attracting people and life to a scene that had been previously devastated.
Omagh District Council facilitated the process of establishing the group, and making this idea become a reality in its early stages. They underlined their commitment to the project by both providing technical assistance to the group, and also donating council land to the project for construction purposes. The project has also attracted widespread attention and support within Ireland and beyond. Approximately £1.33million has been awarded to the project from The Ireland Funds of America, The Ireland Funds of Great Britain, Community Fund, The Omagh Fund, Omagh District Partnership, the International Fund for Ireland, Ernie Rivers, and Omagh Heritage Initiative.
