Silence descended on the main street in Buncrana, Co Donegal, at 3.10 p.m. yesterday, the exact time of the Omagh explosion, as thousands of people gathered to mark the first anniversary of the three local boys and two Spanish visitors to the town, who were among the 29 people killed.
More than 3,000 people turned out from the town and surrounding areas to stand in solidarity with the people of Omagh and remember those killed and injured in the "Real IRA" car-bomb attack.
Oran Doherty (8), James Barker (12) and Shaun McLaughlin (12) had been on a group day trip to the Co Tyrone town when they were caught in the blast along with Fernando Blasco Baselga (12) and Rocio Abad Ramous (23), Spanish exchange visitors staying with host families in Buncrana. Many others in the group were injured.
The parents of the three local boys, who are buried side by side in St Mary's cemetery, Cockhill, were at the memorial service and the minute's silence. Twenty of the Spanish exchange students had also returned to Buncrana and a number took part in the event.
A local priest, Father Shane Bradley, welcomed the crowd and stressed that the atrocity should never be forgotten. "It teaches us much about evil and its real consequences - broken hearts, emotional scars and innocent victims, but also about love and its healing fruits."
Relatives of the three boys read prayers of reflection in voices filled with emotion. Ms Amanda Doherty, Oran's sister, said the family was thankful for the short time he was with them. "The gifts you shared with us allowed joy and laughter to enter our lives. How grateful we are that we had you, Oran."
Shaun's uncle, Mr Gerry Toye, pledged that his nephew would never be forgotten. "There isn't much that we can say to take the hurt and pain away. Shaun's name and smile will leave us never while those who killed him may have to perish forever."
Mr Victor Barker spoke of the "happiness and fulfilment" experienced by James in Buncrana, where he had lived for just one year after moving from England. His wife, Donna Marie, sat in front row of the crowd and was comforted by her sister, Kimberly.
A prayer was also said by Mr Kevin Miley, a social carer from Omagh, who was in the leisure centre when families received news that their loved ones had been killed or seriously injured.
"May our gathering here today help us to cross the bridge of hope, leading us to a new day, a new era, an era of hope and reconciliation," he said.
The leader of the Spanish group, Ms Paula Mahon, delivered a message from the people of Spain and said they shared in the grief of the town. "We would also like to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to all the people of Ireland and most especially our hosts, Buncrana and its people, for their kindness love and care shown to us.
"We are back in Ireland a year after with hope in our hearts for peace in this land and in our own country. We pray that the links between Buncrana and Spain will remain as strong and never be broken."
Children from local schools performed a mime, and clay doves representing the "yearning" for peace were brought on to the stage by people directly involved in the aftermath of the bomb, along with the chairman of Buncrana Urban Council, Mr Joe Doherty.
In attendance at yesterday's service was Mr Tom Moffat, Minister of State; Mr Joe Byrne, an SDLP Omagh councillor; Mr Pat Ramsey, the Mayor of Derry; and Mr John Semple for the Northern Ireland Office, representing Dr Mo Mowlam.
On Saturday a wreath-laying ceremony was held in St Mary's cemetery. Dignitaries from Omagh, including Mr Alan Rainey, the Ulster Unionist chairman of Omagh District Council, attended. A three-hour vigil was also held in a nearby church.