Omagh will come to a standstill today to mark the first anniversary of the "Real IRA" bomb attack on the Co Tyrone town that killed 29 people and injured more than 300, writes Nuala Haughey.
Thousands of people, including politicians from North and South, will attend ceremonies today and tomorrow to remember the victims.
The bombing caused the biggest loss of life of any single incident in the North during the Troubles.
Ceremonies will also be held in Buncrana, Co Donegal, the home town of three young boys killed in the explosion, and prayers will be said for the two Spanish victims.
The remembrance events will culminate in the main anniversary service in Omagh High Street starting just before 3 p.m. tomorrow. It will be attended by the Northern Ireland Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ms Liz O'Donnell. The President, Mrs McAleese, is on holiday.