Tree planting to take place in honour of Gordon Wilson

A small ecumenical group will plant an oak tree in honour of the late Senator Gordon Wilson at 11am on Saturday, May 20, at Shanvaus, near Manorhamilton, where he was born.

The planting will be done by his daughter Julie Ann. A short prayer service will be held. The preacher will be Revd. David Nixon, President of the Methodists in Ireland. David is a native of Blacklion.

Fr Gerry Comiskey, who will be the Master of Ceremonies, said it will be a simple but very significant ceremony.

“We all know about the great celebrations of the Good Friday Agreement a couple of weeks ago. I am of the view that Gordon was at the laying of the foundations for the peace process when he managed to stand up from the rubble in Enniskillen and speak such extraordinary words of forgiveness so soon after his daughter had died beside him.

“It is only right and proper that we should perpetuate his memory in lovely Leitrim where he was born.”