Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee Visit Omagh

The Assembly’s Statutory Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure visited Omagh on Thursday 29 January 2009.

The Committee held its regular weekly meeting at the Ulster American Folk Park, before doing a tour of the Folk Park. In particular, the Committee looked at the site which has been set aside for the re-building of the McCallister House. This house, which was originally located in West Virginia and built in 1827, will be restored over the coming months.

The Committee then visited the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh town centre.

Mr Barry McElduff MLA, the Committee Chairperson said:

“The Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure welcomed the opportunity to visit Omagh, the County town of Tyrone and to hold our meeting in the unique surroundings of the Ulster American Folk Park.”

“The Folk Park is an exceptional facility, and it is not surprising that it was named ‘Visitor Attraction of the Year’ at the 2008 Northern Ireland Tourism Awards. This is something of which I am particularly proud. I say this in a personal capacity and as MLA for the West Tyrone Constituency.”

“In the last year alone, 165,000 people passed through the gates of the Ulster American Folk Park – the highest number in its 30-year history”.

“We also enjoyed our visit to the Strule Arts Centre. “This Arts Centre is a state-of-the-art building of considerable architectural importance which provides opportunities for people to showcase their artistic talent, both to the people of Tyrone and the North West in general.”