Park’s poignant balloon release remembers deceased residents

ON Halloween night, balloons rose high into the night sky above Shandon Park in Omagh – each one a symbol of respect and remembrance for deceased members of this close-knit community.

The memorial balloon release was supposed to go ahead last year to coincide with the park’s 50th anniversary, but Covid-19 restrictions meant that it had to be postponed until this year.

However, nothing was lost in the postponement – the fact the memorial did not fall exactly half a century after first person moved into the park seemed a trivial matter in the context of the heartfelt commemoration and celebration, as family and friends let go of their balloon strings, sending a rainbow of colours drifting into heavens.

Among the people remembered was Christopher Rafferty-Floyd – a grandson of Shandon stalwart Eugene Floyd – who passed away in tragic circumstances at the beginning of last month.

Pauline McSorley, the treasurer of the residents group committee, joked that “although some of the balloons didn’t behave as they were supposed to and tried their best to return to earth, it was a powerful and poignant night. We had a video presentation which featured photographs of many of the people who we held in our thoughts as the balloons ascended,” Pauline said. “People stood around chatting and sharing stories – there was great sense of togetherness and support,” she added.