By Conor Sharkey

FOYLE Pride, one of the biggest dates in the gay community calendar, will stage one of its events in Strabane for the first time in its 15 year history, thanks to the efforts of the Strabane Chronicle.

For several months now, event organisers had included the town's only gay bar, The Central Bar, in its Foyle Pride 2008 plans.

However, these were spectacularly scrapped earlier this week amid rumours the bar was no longer catering for a gay clientele.

Rumours began to circulate over the weekend that bar owner James McCarron had sacked all gay members of staff and was in the process of reviewing the one thing that set his bar apart from the rest of Strabane's pubs and clubs.

When the Chronicle decided to investigate the claims, it spoke with the Derry based Rainbow Project, which confirmed that the Central would not play a part in this year's Foyle Pride celebrations.

A spokesperson said the decision had been taken to exclude the pub from their official programme after the Project was informed that it was no longer catering for the gay community.

When the Chronicle contacted the bar owner, James McCarron, he was completely unaware of the events that had unfolded and that a planned event had been cancelled.

As a result of our intervention, the two groups held talks yesterday, Wednesday, and it was subsequently confirmed to the Chronicle that the bar is now back on board and will be bringing Foyle Pride to Strabane for the first time in the festival's 15 year history.

The Central Bar opened in March under the banner of being Ireland's only gay venue outside a major city. News of the venture did originally raise a few eyebrows, particularly when then Council Chairman Gerard Foley's announced he was to officially cut the ribbon on the premises.

Since then however, the bar has enjoyed strong support from all communities and has developed into something of a beacon for gay rights across the North West. And the pub's reputation looks like being enhanced once again when Foyle Pride becomes Strabane Pride.

Speaking during a week of high confusion, Mr McCarron said he was delighted to be part of another first for Tyrone.

"I am aware of the rumours that have been circulating but there is nothing to it. The Central is as it was when it opened in March and nothing has changed.

"I know where the rumours are coming from, but they are just that, rumours.

"I am very chuffed to bring Foyle Pride to Tyrone for the first time and no doubt it will bring more business to Strabane. This is a well known event and will bring people from right across Northern Ireland to the area, so I'm proud that the Central is providing another first for the town.

"These rumours are unfortunate but totally unfounded and myself and my staff look forward to continued support from all communities and hopefully this year's Foyle Pride festival will showcase Strabane and prove to be a great success for everyone involved," Mr McCarron said.