Council Chair hosts reception to celebrate 30 Years of the Tara Centre

Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Cllr Debbie Coyle hosted a reception at the Grange, Omagh to mark 30 Years of the Tara Centre.

Speaking at the reception the Chair said:

”Good evening everyone,

As Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, I am thrilled to welcome you all here to the Grange in Omagh to mark the Tara Centre and its 30 years of service.

Founded in Omagh in June 1996, the Tara Centre was established by Mary Daly and Maura Twohig as a place of healing, peace and holistic well-being. For three decades, it has provided counselling, psychotherapy, art therapy, complementary therapies, education, as well as personal development services to individuals and groups within our community and beyond.

Guided by values of compassion, respect, integrity, inclusion and accountability, the Tara Centre has supported thousands of people experiencing anxiety, bereavement, trauma, family difficulties, mental health challenges and social isolation. The Centre has also played a fundamental role in supporting many individuals and families affected by the Omagh bombing and the wider legacy of the Troubles.
Today, the Tara Centre remains a vital community resource. During 2024–25 alone, it delivered more than 4,100 counselling, psychotherapy and art therapy sessions, and over 800 complementary therapy treatments, together with educational programmes, meditation initiatives and support groups benefiting hundreds of people.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is committed to supporting our people and communities and improving the quality of life for everyone in the district. The Tara Centre undoubtedly helps us to achieve this commitment, and as we celebrate Tara’s 30th anniversary and all of its important work, we acknowledge the vision of its founders; the dedication of members, trustees, staff and volunteers, past and present; the generosity of funders and supporters; and, above all, the courage of those who have sought healing and renewal through its services.

I would also like to take this opportunity to pay special tribute to the Presentation Sisters and the Sisters of Mercy, whose generosity was central to Tara’s development. For almost three decades, they provided the Centre’s premises free of charge, enabling resources to be directed towards frontline services. The transfer of ownership of the property to the Tara Centre Company in April 2025 represents a lasting legacy of their commitment and an investment in the future well-being of the community.

On behalf of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, and on my own behalf, I would like to commend everyone who has been involved with the Tara Centre, both past and present. For 30 years, the Tara Centre has been a beacon of hope, healing and resilience in Omagh and beyond, making a lasting contribution to the well-being of individuals, families and communities, and I wish you all the very best for the future.

Thank you.”