RIVERBROOKE NWSLETTR2

FORTHCOMING EVENTS
STORY OF THE CARRIAGE
The developing relationship between
Brookeborough and Riverstown was cemented
through the restoration of the railway carriage.
In 1999 the search began for a railway carriage
to complete the Station House at
Brookeborough. A radio appeal turned up an
old Belfast street tram, which was bought by
BDCDA. It was in a sorry state! It was restored
at the Sligo Folk Park, Riverstown through the
cross-border partnership. The carriage was
returned to Brookeborough in 2001 where it
has pride of place on the tracks outside the
Special Effects Painting Class
Dress making classes
Wooden Gate Making
National Schools Essay Writing Competition
Active Age social events
Golf Challenge
Adult discussion groups
Inter-school discussion groups
Women’s craft project
Creative writing workshops
Environmental Fun Day
Active Age Exchange
Band Parade
Launch of history Book
March 2004
March 2004
March 2004
March 2004
March/June 2004
April 2004
April 2004
April/May 2004
April/May 2004
May 2004
May 2004
August 2004
August 2004
September 2004
If you have ideas about events we could run or you would like to get involved in get in touch with
us at either the Folk Park, Riverstown or the Station House, Brookeborough, we would love to hear
from you.
EVENTS TO DATE
AREA
ACTIVITY TO DATE
restored Station House. The carriage is a
Training
Dry stone wall building
Basic internet and e-mail skills for men
Rural planning information sessions
Forklift driver training
Farm diversity programme
Environmental
Wildflower and Butterfly Garden planting in Brookeborough
and Riverstown
Environmental village walk Brookeborough
Cross-border visit of Riverstown national schools to meet with
Brookeborough primary schools
Visit of CVNI Green Machine and Barney Owl
Environmental fun day
Environmental art workshops
symbol of a successful cross-border partnership
and reminds us of the value of communities
working together. The restoration project was
Photo’s courtesy of Impartial Reporter
funded under Peace I.
Flower arranging
Traditional lace making
Women’s cross-border ‘hands of friendship’ craft project
Art group exchange & exhibition
Cultural Exchanges
Cross-border exchanges between Brookeborough Methodist
Ladies and Riverstown Active Age clubs
Multi-cultural social nights
Debate & Discussion Groups
Information sessions
cross-border inter-school debates
Local and cross-border Christian community discussion groups
Inter-denominational prayer service
Sport
Cross-border young peoples exchange in Gaelic, soccer, karate
and community games
Vintage
Cross-border vintage car run
Vintage club exchange visits
Cross-border vintage plaques
Creative Writing
Creative writing workshops
History
Research and recording of history of villages of Brookeborough
and Riverstown for local history books
E
NEWSLETTER
EDITORIAL
This newsletter has been produced in
recognition of the commitment and hard
work of everyone who has taken part in
the Riverbrooke Cross Border Initiative. To
date over 35 activities have been run and
more than 700 people have participated in
the Initiative. Unfortunately due to
limitations on space it is not possible to
feature every activity so we would like to
take this opportunity to thank everyone
who has taken part in the programme and
helped make it such a success. We hope
you will continue to be involved in the
project and encourage your friends and
neighbours to get involved also. We are
always open to new ideas!!
YEAR 1
MISSION STATEMENT
Communities working together
to break down barriers and
build trust and friendship
Editor
Riverstown Project Office
Riverbrooke Project
Sligo Folk Park
Riverstown
Co. Sligo
Tel: 071 91 65931
Email. [email protected]
Web. sligofolkpark.com/riverbrooke.html
Brookeborough Project Office
Riverbrooke Project
The Station House
Brookeborough
Co. Fermanagh
Tel: 028 895 31854
Email. [email protected]
CROSS BORDER COMMITTEE
Quotes:
Training“Informative and fun”
“Interesting and well run”
“Good friendly location”
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Heritage & Craft
CR
R IV E R B R O O K E
B O R D E R IN IT IA T
S
S
IV
O
design+print 58679 / www.theprintfactory.com • t. 028 6632 6960 • f. 028 6632 8389
Riverstown
Mr Michael Tuhoy
Mr Hugh Kelly
Mr John Taylor
Brookeborough
Mr Billy Taylor
Mr Tom Donnelly
Mr Arthur Ovens
1
Administrator, Brookeborough: Roisin McDonnell
8
2
Roisin McDonnell
Patricia Cawley
Bridie Sweeney
Project Co-ordinator
NEW AFTER-SCHOOLS CLUB
Paul, who is a native of Riverstown, believes that the role of Manager will
be both a challenging and exciting experience and is really looking forward
to the year ahead.
Paul Quinn was appointed as Manager of the Sligo Folk Park in November
2003. Paul has a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree and Higher Diploma in
Journalism and Communications. He also has two years management
experience in tourism gained with the Tower Hotel Group in Sligo.
SLIGO FOLK PARK NEW APPOINTMENT
www.sligofolkpark.com
RIVERSTOWN ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT (SLIGO) LTD,
was formed in 1990 in response to the direct and urgent need to rescue the village
from serious economic decline. To date their main achievement has been the purchase
in 1993 of local landmark, Millview House and the subsequent development of the
Sligo Folk Park which has become on of Sligo’s busiest tourist attractions.
Sligo Folk Park
Just off the N4 main Sligo to Dublin Road
028 895 31641
028 895 31732
SPECIAL EVENTS
ANNUAL VINTAGE DAY - 5th June
Sligo Folk Park, Millview House,
Riverstown, Co. Sligo
Tel: 071 91 65001
E-mail: [email protected]
FOR INFORMATION & BOOKINGS CONTACT
daily: Mid April - October
Mon - Sat: 10.00a.m. - 5.30p.m.
Sun: 12.30p.m. - 6.00p.m.
Other times by appointment only
last entry one hour before closing time
OPENING TIMES
SANTA TOWN - Starts 1st Weekend in December
For advanced bookings contact Josephine on 071 91 67013
Ms. Daphne Adams
Mr. Alex Hetherington
Discussions are underway to start an after-schools club at the Station House. This will be an
excellent service for the area. The club will run five days per week from 2pm – 6pm in term time
and from 9am – 5pm in the summertime. Number of places will be limited. If you would like to
support the development of the after-schools club contact the Station House on 028 895 31854.
Administrator, Riverstown: Patricia Cawley
BROOKEBOROUGH & DISTRICT
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION
was formed 1993 to promote the economic and social regeneration of the village
and the surrounding rural area. To date their main achievement has been the
restoration of the village Station House which opened in 1996 and is now a
fully operational and much used community resource.
Project co-ordinator: Bridie Sweeney
WOMEN’S GROUP
Chairperson
Mrs. Yvonne Johnston 028 895 31304
Treasurer
Mrs. Doreen McDowell 028 895 31401
STAFF
VINTAGE CLUB
Secretary
Treasurer
‘The longer we listen to one another – with
real attention – the more commonality we
will find in all our lives. That is, if we are
careful to exchange with one another life
stories and not simply opinions’.
Barbara Deming.
STATION TOTS - PARENT & TODDLER GROUP
Chairperson
Mrs. Glenda Eagleson 028 895 31307
Secretary
Mrs. Roisin McDonnell 028 895 31796
Hugh Kelly
Director
Riverstown Enterprise Development (Sligo) Ltd
028 895 31854
028 677 22067
From humble beginnings based on a shared interest in vintage, the Riverbrooke Initiative has surpassed
all our expectations and grown into a very powerful programme!
Mrs. Hilary Elliott
Mrs. Linda Higgins
I would like to thank the people of Brookeborough for the warm welcome we have always received,
making every visit a pleasure and I add our thanks to everyone who has supported us in making the
programme such a success.
On a personal note I have found working on
the Riverbrooke Initiative to be a fascinating
experience, difficult on occasion, but without
doubt good crack and very rewarding. I have
enjoyed the people I have met and learnt
from them. Perhaps the most important
learning has been the need to listen carefully
to what people are saying. To quote Winston
Churchill ‘Courage is what it takes to stand
up and speak. Courage is also what it takes
to sit down and listen.’ Perhaps listening
takes most courage. It isn’t always easy but
it is about making a genuine effort to
understand others beliefs and cultures and
trying to respect and accommodate them
without necessarily sharing or accepting them.
PLAY GROUP
Leader-in-charge
Assistant leader
On behalf of Riverstown Enterprise Development (Sligo) Ltd, can I say how delighted we are to be
involved in the Riverbrooke Initiative and to be associated with Tom’s comments. This programme
is a wonderful example of how cross-border partnerships and friendships can be nurtured and
developed.
028 895 31219
028 895 31788
Tom Donnelly
Director
Brookeborough & District Community Development Association
The Riverbrooke Initiative provides a safe
space in which we can begin to interact with
people we wouldn’t normally have the
opportunity to meet with. Over the last
year activity on the programme has been
varied, hectic and fun. We have taken some
very significant first steps. In the year ahead
I hope we can build on this work by taking
more time to talk, listen, discuss and maybe
even disagree! There is no doubt but that
at times it will be hard however, it will also
be interesting, exciting and a lot of laughs.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Chairperson
Rev. Andrew Kingston
Secretary
Mr. Tom Donnelly
The programme could not have been a success without the participation and commitment of people
living in both Brookeborough and Riverstown and we really appreciate their willingness to support
us in this project. It is not always easy to come out at night to meetings or travel the distance to
Riverstown but the feedback we have received indicates that the benefits received far outweigh the
effort involved. Thank you all for your support. Thanks also to our funders ADM/CPA who have made
this project possible. Also thanks to Liam McKeever - Project Development Officer and John Burke External Assessor for their advice and support.
028 895 31206
028 895 21226
Over the past 12 months we have embarked on a diverse and interesting range of activities training,
creative writing, environmental awareness, sport, vintage, debate and discussion groups, cultural
exchanges, heritage and craft and last but no means least extensive research for our local history
books. To date we have ran 35 events between the two villages with more than 700 people participating.
Our ability to move forward is often limited
by o u r p a s t ex p e ri e n c e s ; h i s t o r y,
remembrances, time, geography, identity etc
– have all shaped the way we relate to one
another within our own communities and
across the border. The challenge is to find
ways in which we can have our experiences
validated thus enabling us to feel safe and
secure in our own place and giving us the
confidence to move beyond the traditional
borders that have limited our lives and
experiences.
Mr. Robbie Coalter
Mr. Collen Magaw
After a diligent interview process Project Co-ordinator Bridie Sweeney and administrators Roisin
Mc Donnell and Patricia Cawley were appointed to oversee and guide the project. From the outset
the Directors of Riverbrooke were confident they had acquired 3 employees who had the ability to
maximise the potential of the Project. As we are at the halfway stage this has proved to be well
founded, as the personal skills and dedication of our workers has played a large part in the success
of the Programme.
BIRD BREEDERS
Chairperson
Secretary
During the spring months another funding application was embarked on and again several joint
meetings were held in Belcoo. Four months later the reply we wanted arrived – we had secured our
funding.
Situated in the picturesque village of Riverstown,
Sligo Folk Park houses one of Ireland’s finest collection of rural exhibits.
Enjoy the beautifully referbished Millview House,
the carefully recreated village street, and a host of other attractions.
Peace II was launched in 2002 with an overarching criteria that future projects should be people
orientated this fitted precisely with the motives of both development groups. The restoration project
under Peace I had bonded a genuine friendship between the committee members, but there was
general agreement we needed a process to extend this further into the communities of Brookeborough
and Riverstown.
The Riverbrooke Cross-Border Initiative has
grown out of this realisation. The programme
brings people together, cross-community and
cross-border, with the aim of working to build
trust and friendship. An Initiative like
Riverbrooke can be challenging and is not
always popular. It challenges us to think about
what peace means to us, about our vision for
the future of our communities and it also
challenges each and every one of us to
recognise our own role and responsibility in
supporting our communities in moving
forward.
028 895 31555
[email protected]
Three years and a lot of hard work later the rebuilt train carriage which was completely refurbished
by FAS workers in Riverstown and sitting appropriately on Railway track at the back of our Station
House in Brookeborough. The success of this project cemented the partnership, and it was obvious
it should continue.
Mr. Robbie Trotter
Mrs. Miriam Coulter
The enthusiasm and vision of both groups to overcome the 70-mile distance that physically separated
both villages persuaded the funders.
Sligo Folk Park - a magical and unforgettable experience
After a few interchange meetings between both community associations a genuine friendship began
to develop and the common interest of improving the profile of their areas and a recognition of the
need to break down perceived barriers an application for Peace I funding was an obvious direction
to explore.
The peace process
has provided a space
in which we can
reflect on our lives
and for many of us,
both nor th and
south of the border,
this reflection has
allowed us to openly
acknowledge that
the last 35 years
have been difficult.
It has also brought the realisation that we
have been prevented from reaching our full
potential as either individuals or communities.
ART GROUP
Chairperson
Secretary
As we enter the final phase of the Riverbrooke Project under Peace II it is timely that we both look
back and forward. In 1995 Hugh Kelly Riverstown was exploring new or novel events for their annual
Vintage day. He bought a weekly Fermanagh newspaper and noticed inside an article about Robert
Coalter and his mobile bicycle museum. This prompted a letter from John Taylor to Brookeborough
and the first contact between Riverstown and Brookeborough had been made.
SLIGO FOLK PARK
LIMITED BY BORDERS
CONTACT US AT THE STATION HOUSE
STORY SO FAR
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Quotes:
Environmental
“The interaction between pupils
from the four participating
schools was very natural and
spontaneous”
“It teaches you quite a lot and
you make new friends”
“We had to work as a team”
“Normally I wouldn’t meet
people from Fermanagh”
BROOKEBOROUGH & DISTRICT
ART GROUP
THE LOCAL COUNCIL PROPOSE
TO LOCATE A HOUSING
DEVELOPMENT FOR REFUGEES
IN YOUR TOWN.
In May 2003, we were invited to exhibit some
of our work at the annual Vintage day, at the
Sligo Folk Park, Riverstown as part of the
Riverbrooke cross border initiative.
All those in favour raise your hands.
This was just one of the controversial motions
discussed during a lively series of cross-border,
inter-school debates.
The group didn’t know what to expect but were
pleasantly surprised by the whole experience.
Racism, drug use and vigilante behaviour have
all been the subject of rational and emotive
debate at both the Station House,
Brookeborough and the Folk Park, Riverstown,
as young people from Fermanagh and Sligo
eagerly participated in inter-school debates
designed to promote understanding of how
others live, and looking at positive ways of
resolving conflict.
Nearly forty paintings were on display for sale
in the lovely setting of the Folk Park. The crowds
far exceeded any anticipated by the artists and
a great interest was shown in their work. It was
good to see the reaction from folk in a different
part of Ireland.
Apart from the exhibition all of the group
members enjoyed the entertainment and
facilities laid on for the day and returned to
Brookeborough with happy memories and the
anticipation of returning in years to come.
117 young people participated. Exchanges of
views were challenging and creative with
enthusiastic support from the floor. One
resourceful young man even went so far as to
bring with him a copy of the Irish Constitution
to lend strength to his argument.
Visit our website on to see a photographic
record of the day.
www.brookeboroughart.co.uk
Miriam Coulter
Quotes:
Craft
“I was delighted to have the
opportunity of travelling to
Brookeborough”
“Great enjoyment through working
together, exchanging ideas, and
completing project”
“It was good to meet the people of
Riverstown”
“As a person who doesn’t travel
too far from home I thoroughly
enjoyed meeting the people from
Riverstown”
“Great way to get together”
“Good to mix with local ladies I
wouldn’t normally have contact
with.”
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For many of the young people involved it was
the first time they had met someone from
across the border, or indeed travelled across
the border. Participating provided them with
the opportunity to meet people with different
cultural beliefs and to listen to their views.
‘I enjoyed meeting new people and getting
the opportunity to express my point of view
on matters that I would not normally discuss
in an open group’. Others described it as a
‘great learning experience’. ‘It broadened my
opinion. I learned from it how to be a better
person’.
Teachers also enjoyed the opportunity to meet
their colleagues from across the border. ‘Thank
you for organising the event it was much
appreciated’.
The young people who participated where full
of ideas as to how the project should be taken
forward and this will be reflected in next years
programme which will take the format of
informal discussion groups.
Roisin
RIVERSTOWN TAKE THE INITIATIVE
It is not an overstatement to suggest that ‘Riverstown’ and ‘Initiative’ have become synonymous!
Last November another exciting venture was undertaken under the auspices of the ‘Riverbrooke
Cross Border Initiative’.
Through advertisement in the ‘Riverstown Notes’ of the local provincial newspaper people were
invited to participate in a cross-border workshop entitled ‘Christian Communities Coming Together’.
Eleven enthusiasts took up the offer and travelled to the Clinton Peace Centre, Enniskillen. At the
centre we met up with twelve other participants from Brookeborough. We received a spontaneous,
warm and very friendly welcome from our ‘hosts’.
The workshop was ably facilitated by Marcus Hopkins, Fieldworker with the Glencree Centre for
Reconciliation - Church’s Programme. The workshop was ‘introductory’ in nature and used the
following format; Introduction, Group Discussion, (friendly, inclusive and informal), Tour of Clinton
Peace Centre and Intec Centre, Lunch, Group Discussion and General Information.
As we explored, through group discussion, topics, suggested by Marcus, I quickly became aware of
common views on many issues. I was impressed by the vision and the breadth of experience,
openness and respect for all views expressed. An atmosphere of honesty and trust prevailed
throughout the visit. Differing religious affiliations certainly presented no threat to each other. A
far cry from the dark days when we viewed each other with deep suspicion without much enlightenment
as to the basis of this prejudice.
The workshop was a ‘taster’ but lay the foundation for potential significant development in fostering
the work of reconciliation and the peace process.
As a follow up to the day the Riverbrooke Initiative will be organising further workshops with a view
to a weekend residential. Who knows where to from there?
A friend and I have signed up for a Churches Programme weekend residential workshop in the
Glencree Centre, Co Wicklow in February 2004. Based on the experience in Enniskillen I am preparing
with great anticipation for the residential weekend.
Thanks to Bridie and Patricia who planned the workshop and guided us so efficiently and with great
humour throughout the day.
On reading the Glencree churches
programme one sentence captures
the attention - ‘Sectarianism is not the
preserve of any one Tradition, Church
or State’ - a statement worthy of
reflection and exploration.
Marie Finlay
CREATIVE WRITING
I first heard about the Creative Writing class in
my friend’s house and at first did not pay much
attention to it. However, the more I thought
about it I decided it would be a laugh if nothing
else. The next day I contacted the Riverbrooke
offices to register. Bridie and Patricia were very
helpful and put me at ease as regards to what
lay ahead. I will never forget the first night. A
group of about ten of us sat around a table in
the craft room at the Sligo Folk Park. It was a
cold September night and none of us were sure
what we were meant to write! Thankfully we
had a great facilitator in the form of Peggy
Gallagher who made us all feel welcome and
personally gave me the confidence to write
whatever came into my head. Having studied
Journalism, most people believe that you should
be fearless when it comes to writing. They
could not be more wrong, the biggest fear is
the fear of the blank page. The creative writing
class gave me the ability to overcome that fear
and pursue something that I love to do –
WRITE!!!
Paul
Quotes:
Writing
“Stimulating to hear and
read work done by other
people”
“Found out who my
neighbours were”
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ENVIRONMENTAL
In June 2003 senior pupils from Riverstown No. 2 national School, joined by pupils from the
neighbouring Riverstown school, Arkieran, travelled to Brookeborough for an environmental
Quotes:
Art Exhibition
“Keep up the good work”
educational day, as part of the Riverbrooke Project.
We were met there by pupils and teachers from the Brookeborough Primary Schools. After
welcome refreshments we were introduced to Seamus Burn of the Ulster Wildlife Trust, who
“Spoke to people from all
over Ireland”
informed all present that our actions can affect the environment and its surrounding wildlife, in
particular the habitat of the barn owl. The certain highlight of the day came when Barney the
barn owl was introduced to the group. The children (and adults) got the opportunity to come
in very close proximity to the owl and have their photographs taken with him.
Cultural Exchange
“Enjoyed renewing
friendships on return visit”
became obvious that not only was it a very worthwhile educational trip but it was socially
“I would love to meet those
people again”
successful also and many new friendships were made.
the two schools in the village, with expert horticultural advice given by Tim Roderick from Duchas,
created a small butterfly garden. They enjoyed the digging and the planting of the different
“First opportunity to
converse with our
neighbours”
species, learning that the larger plants are planted towards the centre of the bed leaving the
smaller plants towards the front. We have passed by the garden on a number of occasions while
visiting the Park and with great pride we always go to examine the progress of the garden and
This morning the 20th of June we went
and the old buildings. I like the people because
t o t h e Fo l k Pa r k t o p l a n t a b u t t e r f ly
they are kind, friendly, nice and sensible. Most
most definitely a personal passion. However, teaching
garden. I planted some purple flowers
of all I like Canon McCaughey. My favourite
the age-old craft of dry-stone wall building to a group
building is the Station House because of the
of people on a cross-border project was a new one for
railway coach outside.
just the borders we traditionally associate with life in
the North of Ireland and the Southern border counties.
With people as far flung as John from America and
I think Brookeborough has an interesting
i n t h e w ro n g p l a c e s a n d t h ey h a d t o
history because during the Second World War
dig them up and put them in the right
the American soldiers who were based in
p l a c e . Th e n I t ri e d t o d i g u p a s t o n e ,
Colebrooke, came to dances in Brookeborough.
I also like my house because of its old door
locks.
in Brookeborough and Riverstown respectively), and
one determined lady from Riverstown, the groups
were certainly diverse and reflective of our changing
established builders who wanted to develop their skill
thinking it was some soil. Then I
realised it was a stone. After a while I
hit Fiona with soil when I was digging .
I think Brookeborough is a lovely area because
Th e n S h a n e h i t m e w i t h s o i l . I h a d a
of its spectacular history, scenery and people.
good time planting the Butterfly
Garden.
Name: David Irvine
Some came to the course with a degree of experience,
also planted some trees or something .
Shane and David planted their flowers
me. I enjoyed the experience.
The groups transcended all sorts of borders and not
a n d I p l a n t e d s o m e w h i t e f l ow e r s . I
Arkeerin National Sc hool.
School: St. Mary’s P.S., Brookeborough
in working with stone, others had never even used a
hammer or a chisel before. But, they all went away
“Exchange of views on our
different cultures”
appreciating the training opportunity they had been
given and eager to try out their newly acquired skills
on their unsuspecting friends and families.
“Everyone mixed well”
Marlett Hunter
BUTTERFLY GARDEN
I like Brookeborough because of the scenery
society.
During the month of June we also had a day in the grounds of the Folk Park, when the pupils from
inform any newcomers of our part in its creation.
RIVER BROOKE PROJECT
Working with stone is a tradition in my family and
Daniel from South Africa, (who have made their homes
The children were taken on a tour of the village, ending in the playground, where they learned
about food cycles by playing environmental games. When it was time to board the bus home it
BUILDING WALLS TO BREAK
DOWN BARRIERS!
The walls were built with local stone (sandstone in
Brookeborough and limestone in Riverstown) and both
groups were justifiably proud of their work. The
HANDS OF FRIENDSHIP
Last year as part of the Riverbrooke initiative a group of women from
Brookeborough and Riverstown undertook a joint craft project facilitated by
Clare McCarroll from Omagh. They chose images from their respective villages
that were important to them and made a series of felt patches which, they then
placed on two wall hangings. The wall hangings were launched amid much
hilarity at multi-cultural celebrations in Brookeborough and Riverstown. Here
Iris Acheson tells her story of being involved.
Making the wall hanging was a great achievement for us all. Most of
us from Brookeborough were greenhorns, but we did learn quickly
thanks to Clare. We started off with handfuls of sheep’s wool and
after splashing about with water and fairy liquid produced our own
piece of felt and from there we moved on to greater things!! It was
just great to see the end result, which we look forward to hanging in
the Station House, Brookeborough as our wee bit of village history.
The Riverbrooke project organised a crochet class and I decided to join. Near
the end of the course Bridie Sweeney from the Riverbrooke Initiative came
to visit us, she was looking for volunteers to take part in a craft project, there
wasn’t a great uptake so I thought I would go to swell the numbers!! At that
stage I didn’t realise what it would entail!!
Bringing people together like this is great, I just love learning about
other cultures, it is very interesting and I have learned a lot about our
own area through the history project.
Brookeborough group were in no doubt that John
Wayne would have been happy to hitch his horse
there.
Despite the wide age range and diverse backgrounds
the groups mixed well and found they had a lot in
common. In addition to learning new skills there was
a lot of social interaction with craic, banter, story telling
We set off on the first day to the Folk Park in Riverstown, Co Sligo. Meeting
the Riverstown people who were brilliant, they were really lovely folk, such
a welcome we got! The Folk Park itself was an experience, I could have easily
spent the whole day just looking around and reminiscing .
We got down to work. After some discussion and much confusion it was
decided to pick a feature of our village to put on a felt wall hanging, which
we made from scratch. I chose Aghavea Parish Church. Unfortunately there
was a bit of confusion, when Clare was sewing on the pieces of felt – so the
windows of one of the churches are on the wrong side!!!!
I had never been involved in a community project before, it was great crack
especially at the times when some of us didn’t know what to do next!
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and local folklore - shared as undisputed truth!
It was a pleasure to have been involved in this project.
It has been great being involved with the folk from Riverstown. As
our young folk say the three F’s – Fun, Food and Friendship, all of which
we shared in abundance in Riverstown.
Sean
Quotes:
Church Programme
“Much intolerance comes
from ignorance - lack of
knowledge and
understanding. This type of
meeting can only be of
help”
“We need to get to know
each other in order to
respect each other”
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