Celebratory cross border event in Ballinamore on Friday

A Celebratory Event is being held in recognition of the achievements of the Better Together – Níos Fearr Le Chéile, Peace Impact Programme in The Island Theatre, Ballinamore, from 3 to 7pm on Friday, November 24.

This Programme is managed by Ballinamore Area Community Council Clg and funded by The International Fund for Ireland.

“We secured our first tranche of funding in 2019 and ran a successful 18-month project. After Covid we applied and were successful in securing €193,797 for a two-year project which has proven to be a huge success,” explained Máirín Martin, Chairperson, Ballinamore Area Community Council Clg.

Everybody is welcome to join them for some refreshments and a meet and greet at 3pm.

At 3.50pm Máirín Martin will welcome everybody and introduce Paddy Harte, Chairperson of The International Fund for Ireland who will deliver the opening remarks.

“We are very honoured to have Paddy Harte attend our celebrations.

“Michael Mullin, Project Manager will give a summary of the entire Peace Impact Project.

“We will then be joined by the Enniskillen Royal Grammar School and Ballinamore Community School, who have been working together for the past year. They will share their experiences and learnings from this excellent cross border/cross community project.

“At 5pm you can join us for refreshments and music by local artists and the reading of a Peace Poem written by Ballinamore Writer’s Group.

“At 6pm we have an excellent discussion around peace building, trauma, healing and the coexistence of multiple identities. This will be Chaired by Debbie Watters, OBE, NIA/Restorative Justice and members of the 2022 AMBIT group who participated in the study visit to El Paso, Texas and Washington DC.

“These participants are cross border and cross community from West Belfast, Larne, Louth, South Armagh, Monaghan and Leitrim and this will be a most interesting discussion.

“This Celebratory Event is open to everyone to attend all or any part of the day. We look forward to seeing you there and sharing our success story with you,” concluded Máirín.