Oct 2004
Inishowen Involvement in new cross-border peace project
A new Training programme based in Derry aims to use the story of
the 36th Ulster and 16th Irish Division together in World War One,
to help reconciliation between communities in Derry/Londonderry
and Inishowen.
Following on from their Peace Projects Initiative in Messines Belgium,
Maydown Ebrington Group, through its Maydown Youth Training Project
Ltd, has initiated a new programme in cooperation with Inishowen
Partnership entitled Foyle Training Towards Reconciliation (FTTR)
Craig Barr, Co-ordinator, said 'Foyle Training Toward Reconciliation
will contribute to the realization of reconciliation between diverse
communities in Derry/Londonderry and Donegal by means of an accredited
training programme focused on Conflict Transformation through the
story of the 36th Ulster Division and the 16th Irish Division who
fought and died together during the First World War.'
The promoter of the programme believe that through the experiences
of these young men from the island of Ireland a deeply felt personal
and emotional experience can be elicited, one which will support
and encourage open and honest dialogue, trust building and the recognition
of the right of differences of opinion.' Craig continued: 'It is
an eight week course accredited by Open College Network with a range
of different levels, so there is a course for everyone. Pending
funding, some of the training will be done in Messines, Belgium
where groups will experience the Battlefields of the Western Front.
Messines, 7th June 1917, was the location of a battle, which proved
pivotal in the First World War. It was a battle in which the Protestant
36th Ulster Division were to fight side by side with their Catholic
Comrades from the North and South of Ireland. It was and still is
a battle that presented great hope for reconciliation between the
two traditions in Ireland. The thinking was then as it is now, that
if Irishmen can fight and die together, then surely they could live
together.
As Willie Redmond, Nationalist MP wrote: "It would be a fine
memorial to the men who have died so splendidly if we could, over
their graves, build a bridge between North and South". On the
7th June 1917 Willie Redmond was killed. He was discovered alive
by Private John Meeke, from Ballymoney in Co. Antrim, a member of
the 11th Inniskilling Fusiliers and an Ulster Volunteer. Pte. Meeke
got Willie back to an Ulster Division Aid Post; suffering several
wounds himself in the process, but it was not enough to save the
aging Redmond. For his devotion to a dying man, Meeke was awarded
the Military Medal. Because of the events in Ireland at that time
and since the sacrifice of some of those who died has never been
recognised.
Foyle Training Towards Reconciliation is designed to commemorate
those Sacrifices; but more fundamentally, it is designed to use
the historical event of the Battle of Messines as a catalyst for
creating an environment of tolerance and understanding, leading
to reconciliation and the acceptance for differences throughout
Ireland. FTTR engage members of divided communities in programmes
that broaden their horizons, challenge their world view and provide
opportunities for achievement, while using the events of June 1917
to remind all of the futility of war. FTTR Training Courses commenced
on 28th September - there may be still places available at this
time. Anyone interested in taking part in the course should ring
the Development Officer Tracy McRory on 148 71 343562. This project
is funded under measure 5.4 of the Peace 2 Programme, which is implemented
by the Cross Border Consortium made up of ADM/CPA in the South and
the Community Foundations for Northern Ireland and Co-operation
Ireland in the North.
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