Hidden barriers: A tour of Belfast’s secret peace lines

Hidden barriers: A tour of Belfast’s secret peace lines by Allan LEONARD 23 March 2022 As part of the Imagine Festival, a tour of a selection of hidden interfaces of Belfast was offered. David Coyles, a researcher at Ulster University, hosted a bus tour that took several dozen participants to three case study locations. As … Continue reading Hidden barriers: A tour of Belfast’s secret peace lines

Life on the borderlands: Exploring our ‘magical imaginations’

Life on the borderlands: Exploring our ‘magical imaginations’by Allan LEONARD 15 March 2022 As part of its Borderlands exhibition, the Holywell Trust held a full-day event, attended by about a dozen participants, that combined site visits, exhibition display, and on-site discussions. The exhibition was described by Gerard Deane, the trust’s director, as “capturing the reflections … Continue reading Life on the borderlands: Exploring our ‘magical imaginations’

Center for Global Peace Journalism 10th anniversary symposium

Center for Global Peace Journalism 10th anniversary symposium by Allan LEONARD 14 March 2022 The Center for Global Peace Journalism at Park University recently held an online symposium to mark its 10th anniversary. The agenda was to look back on the Center’s accomplishments and forward to the future of peace journalism. Leading experts from around … Continue reading Center for Global Peace Journalism 10th anniversary symposium

Assessing, reflecting, adapting — an evaluation of R-City’s Leadership Programme

Assessing, reflecting, adapting — an evaluation of R-City’s Leadership Programme by Allan LEONARD 25 February 2022 R-City, a Belfast-based organisation for young people, hosted a launch of an evaluation report by Trinity College Dublin (TCD), of its R-City Leadership Programme. A couple dozen people attended the in-person event, in contrast to when the research was … Continue reading Assessing, reflecting, adapting — an evaluation of R-City’s Leadership Programme

WNIMTM — John KYLE

In this episode of What Northern Ireland Means to Me, we meet John Kyle from east Belfast, who is a GP and an elected representative of Belfast City Council.  TRANSCRIPT To me Northern Ireland is home. I was born here, grew up here, went to school here, went to university here. I've lived here … Continue reading WNIMTM — John KYLE

WNIMTM — Charmain JONES

In this episode of What Northern Ireland Means to Me, we meet Charmain Jones, who is a community relations professional, focussing on the development of rural communities.  TRANSCRIPT I was born and reared in Portadown and I have lived in an interface community for 38 years. But in the next few months I am … Continue reading WNIMTM — Charmain JONES

WNIMTM — Martin MAGILL

In this episode of What Northern Ireland Means to Me, we meet Martin Magill, who is a priest at St John Parish on the Falls Road in Belfast and co-founder of the 4 Corners Festival.  TRANSCRIPT My family have been here for a number of generations. We're still in the family home out in … Continue reading WNIMTM — Martin MAGILL

WNIMTM — Denis STEWART

In this episode of What Northern Ireland Means to Me, we meet Denis Stewart, who was a research scientist and educator, and is an enthusiast for conversation in civic spaces.  TRANSCRIPT Northern Ireland is my homeplace. I was born in north Belfast, reared in a small hill farm just to the north of the … Continue reading WNIMTM — Denis STEWART

WNIMTM — Rob FAIRMICHAEL

In this episode of What Northern Ireland Means to Me, we meet Rob Fairmichael, who is a long-time peace activist and coordinator of INNATE, a non-violence network in Ireland.  TRANSCRIPT I have a great grandfather buried in the (Belfast) City Cemetery, Leonard McCaughey. He was originally from Armoy and opened a vegetarian restaurant in … Continue reading WNIMTM — Rob FAIRMICHAEL

WNIMTM — Gladys GANIEL

In this episode of What Northern Ireland Means to Me, we meet Gladys Ganiel, who is a reader and writer of sociology of religion, and has represented Northern Ireland in the marathon at the Commonwealth Games.  TRANSCRIPT I have very much chosen to live in Northern Ireland. I was born in Maine, in the … Continue reading WNIMTM — Gladys GANIEL

WNIMTM — Brian John SPENCER

In this episode of What Northern Ireland Means to Me, we meet Brian John Spencer, who is an artist.  I'm from Stranmillis in south Belfast. Unremarkable upbringing. All my needs were met. We had a Catholic next door neighbour, and I had no sense of the sort of fractious society. Rather it was perfectly … Continue reading WNIMTM — Brian John SPENCER

WNIMTM — Paul GOSLING

In this episode of What Northern Ireland Means to Me, we meet Paul Gosling, who is a researcher and writer.  TRANSCRIPT My ex-wife is German. She came to live with me in England, hated England, and we both loved Ireland. I met someone at a conference who told me how wonderful Derry was as … Continue reading WNIMTM — Paul GOSLING