Border Villages Social IntergrationIntegration Project Project

Border Villages Social Integration Project Index

3. Peace III Support 4. Border Villages Social Integration Project outline 5. Migration from Northern to 6. Project Activity/Outputs 7. Border Villages Project Launch 8/9. Newtowncunningham 10. Aileach Women’s Walking Club 10/11. Muff 12/13. Carrigans/St. Johnston/Killea 14. Castlefinn/Doneyloop/ 15. Burnfoot/Bridgend/Burt 16. /Ballindrait/ 17. Early Childhood Services/National Schools 18. Cross Border Community Gardens 19. Introduction to Mediation Course 20. Border Villages Website

A Walk n’ Talk event was held at Inch Levels on March 29th 2012 in conjunction with Newtowncunningham community playgroup as part of the Border Villages Social Integration Project. This was a good example of how families from different backgrounds were brought together as part of the initiative. 2 EU Funding Provides PEACE III Support

The Border Villages Social Integration Project is part of the PEACE III initiative, funded by the Special EU Programmes Body

The Special EU Programmes Body is a North/South Implementation Body sponsored by the Department of Finance and Personnel in and the Department of Finance in Ireland.

It is responsible for managing two EU structural funds programmes - PEACE III and INTERREG IV – which are both designed to enhance cross-border co-operation, promote reconciliation and create a more peaceful and prosperous society.

The programmes operate within a clearly defined area including Northern Ireland, the of Ireland and Western .

Its two current programmes (2007-2013) are the European Union’s Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (otherwise known as the PEACE III Programme) and the European Union’s Cross-border Programme for Territorial Co-operation, Northern Ireland, the Border Region of Ireland and Western Scotland (otherwise known as the INTERREG IVA Programme).

The PEACE III Programme, funded under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), is aimed primarily at reinforcing progress towards a peaceful and stable society and promoting reconciliation.

It focuses on helping Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland to reconcile communities and contribute towards a shared society. As a result the Donegal PEACE III Action Plan 2011 – 2013 included this action in the plan.

The Donegal CDB Peace and Reconciliation Partnership’s role is to implement Priority 1.1: Building Positive Relations at the Local Level of the PEACE III programme in Donegal.

They are doing this by developing and delivering the Donegal PEACE III Action Plan 2008 - 2013 to raise awareness of the diverse cultures that exist in Donegal and challenging attitudes relating to sectarianism and racism.

The programme delivered €4.7 million to Donegal in Phase I and a further €4.7 million was rolled out in Phase II of the programme.

The Border Villages Social Integration Project is an action set down in this plan, being delivered by on behalf of the Partnership.

3 Border Villages Social Integration Project

The Border Villages Social Integration Project was funded by the Donegal County Development Board, Peace & Reconciliation Partnership to provide a programme of interventions to facilitate greater social integration in border towns and villages in Donegal so as to promote greater cohesion between the ‘new’ residents and the local communities.

A short analysis was carried out on each settlement along the border, taking into account the latest statistics from census 2011 and the reports from the Town Plans adopted since 2004.

It was proposed to cover as many areas as possible, supporting activities and projects that would include participation from new residents in a number of villages.

The project concentrated on six cluster areas comprising of the border settlements including:

• Muff • Bridgend & Burnfoot • Newtowncunningham & • St. Johnston & Carrigans / Killea • Lifford / Ballindrait / Raphoe • Castlefinn / Doneyloop / Liscooley &

This was based on the rapid growth of these villages over the past decade. The 2011 census shows a 9.4% population increase in Donegal since 2006. An analysis of the District Electoral Divisions in the border area shows that the increase was 18% - double the rate of the county wide increase. The Donegal CDB Peace & Reconciliation Partnership recognised this issue and as a follow on to the PEACE II funded town plans enacted a programme to address the issue of integration in this area.

Kids from a variety of backgrounds on a day out at Inch Levels Newtowncunningham residents at a function organised as part of 4 as part the Social Villages Border Integration Project. the Border Villages Social Integration Project. Migration from Northern Ireland to border towns in Donegal

The housing boom over the last 10 to 15 years coupled with the strength of sterling particularly in the period 2000 to 2006 resulted in a substantial increase in the number of families who moved from Northern Ireland to the towns and villages along the border in .

While many of these families moved to County Donegal they continued to live their lives primarily in Northern Ireland. Many of them worked across the border or had children who attended school in the North. Most of their social and family activities continued to take place there as well.

This resulted in fragmented communities where there was a lack of cohesion and community contact between the ‘new’ residents and the ‘locals’ leading to increasing levels of suspicion, fear and mistrust.

This was further exacerbated bearing in mind that many of these border communities have a substantial minority Protestant population and that many of the ‘new’ residents are from the Catholic nationalist community in Northern Ireland.

This issue came to the fore during the PEACE II Programme, and in this instance the Donegal PEACE II Taskforce, recognising the pressures that this form of migration was likely to have in terms of both the physical and social infrastructure of these small towns and villages, funded Donegal County Council’s Planning Service to develop Local Area Plans for these areas.

It was proposed that this phase of the Donegal PEACE III Action Plan should build upon this work by supporting an intervention that would see an innovative community led programme of activity to support integration so as to achieve greater community cohesion in these areas. 5 Project Activity /Outputs

Social integration events were held to provide an opportunity for all communities to mix in an environment of celebration and recognition of each other’s cultures.

The key part of the events were to invite the entire community, both new and existing residents, and to make everyone aware of the facilities available in their area. Training was also provided to local community groups to increase their capacity.

The Development Partnership, as well as organising events assisted the Border Villages Social integration Project by facilitating recruitment in conjunction with community groups and residents’ associations.

Events included: Entertainment one of the ways of bringing people together • Newtowncunningham St Patrick’s Day Festival • Launch of Lifford & Killea Community Gardens – committee hosted an integrating festival family 60 attendees (pre-launch community garden event where the local Orange Lodge Band training – 28 attendees) participated in event for first time in history of • Peace & Reconciliation Group delivered Newtowncunningham Good Relations & Healthy • Castlefinn Youth Club hosted an intercultural Communities Training to Community & Voluntary evening on St. Patrick’s Day with over 440 Sector in Border Villages. attending including cross community and • Sports Leadership Skills Training delivered to club new residents leaders from Castlefinn, and Doneyloop • Castlefinn St. Patrick’s Day Event. youth clubs. • Walk n Talk Event held at Inch Levels • Community information guide and questionnaire • Fheile An Grianan completed for CAKE Community Centre in • Muff Community Day held Killygordon along with upgrade of existing • Muff festival dormant website. • Youth club events/outings held by Castlefinn, • Community Gardens in Killea and Lifford Doneyloop & Muff Youth Clubs developed • Muff community integration event held on • Community Resource Material developed in all All Ireland Final day villages. • Muff community website launched on 16 • Launch of Border Villages Project. November 2012 • Launch of YouthView publication in association • Schools Environmental Awareness day in Aileach with Castlefinn & Doneyloop youth clubs Youth & Community Centre – 11 schools (cross • Launch of Pre-school Services directory - 30 border & cross community) attended, over Pre-school services profiled in publication 200 attendees launched in conjunction with Donegal County • Healthy eating events held in Muff/Killea/Lifford – Childcare Committee. over 70 attendees • Launch of Border Villages Website • History Project & DVD ‘Know your place, now your (www.donegalbordervillages.com ) and community place’. Over 20 participants involved in DVD resource guides production and 15 attendees at launch in An • Launch of Lifford & Killea Community Gardens Grianan Hotel, Burt • Press launch for National School Brochures - • Launch of Border Villages Website (www.donegal 13 local Primary Schools, Catholic and Protestant, bordervillages.com) and community resource guides participated in the production of individual school – 30 attendees publications profiling schools to new residents. 6 Border Villages Social Integration Project Launch

The Border Villages Social Integration Project was officially launched on 15th November 2011 as part of the ONE Donegal Month of events embracing and celebrating diversity.

It was attended by over 50 representatives of the community & voluntary sector and relevant agencies.

At the launch an outline of the project was given. A public call was made for input from all groups on integration ideas and priorities for their local area with the constant theme of social integration of new residents and that all activities be relevant to the aims and objectives of the Donegal PEACE III Action Plan 2011-2013.

Group pictured at the Launch of the Border Villages Social Integration Project on 15th November 2011 at An Grianan Hotel Burt. Front Row: Cllr. Noel Mc Bride Mayor of Donegal, Cllr Dessie Larkin Chairman Donegal PEACE III Partnership and Seamus Neeley County Manager. Back Row: Francis Conaghan Good Relations Officer Donegal County Council. Shauna Mc Cleneghan Programme Manager Inishowen Development Partnership, Michael Mc Garvey Divisional Manager Community Culture & Planning Donegal County Council. Tracey Mc Grory Musician & Local Resident and Michael Heaney Director of Services Community Culture & Planning Donegal Co. Council.

7 Newtowncunningham

Newtowncunningham was host to a number least because of its convenient location of important events during 2011 and 2012 between Derry and . that were connected with the Border Villages Social Integration Project, Meetings took place between the including St. Patrick’s Day events. Newtowncunningham Community Development Initiative and Trinity Court to The area has seen a big influx of new identify ways of integrating communities in residents and the village has witnessed a the area. considerable increase it its population, not

Newtowncunningham Soccer

In recent times there has been sport and there are benefits not just in considerable investment in local facilities, terms of health but also with regard to including an all-­weather mini-­soccer pitch. community integration.

Among those backing the development of As part of the preparation for this event all sporting facilities in the area is Trevor the new estates in the area were called Scanlon, Development Officer with the to on a door­ to­ door basis and people were Football Association of Ireland. encouraged to attend but also to participate in the Family Resource centre Trevor highlighted that the provision of and this afforded the opportunity for facilities encourages people to take up conversation with new residents about the services available in the area. 8 It was decided to host a “Rambling House” that featured local folklore, singing, recitals, music and dance from different cultures to coincide with the St. Patrick’s weekend festivities.

Leaflets were published and delivered throughout the community about the events, with an emphasis on targeting people living in the new estates in order to encourage their participation. Newtowncunningham Loyal Orange Lodge 1063 Band at the St. Patrick’s Day Festivities

Community Fun Night

Newtowncunningham Inter-Church enjoyed themselves outside while there was Committee hosted the final plenty of time for adults to chat as well. Community event of the summer on Friday 26th August. This event was building on the pilot project funded last year by PEACE III when A Community Fun Night was held with over a community barbeque was held in Trinity 200 people attending, with a good number Court. This is the local Voluntary Housing from the new houses in the area. Association and provides a range of services to the wider community on a It was a chance for young and old to meet cross-community basis. each other and to get to know each other. As part of this event, an information flyer As well as the outdoor activities there was was printed and distributed around the new plenty to eat and drink. estates door to door. Again the evaluation of the issues raised There was a relaxed atmosphere and with has been fed into the Work Plan of the over the weather holding up the kids certainly all project.

9 Muff Residents

Contact had been made with individual residents from various estates in the area with a view to developing an initiative to bring communities together. It was agreed that they would come together to organise an inter-estates community fun day which was held in early June at neutral venue in the village.

A successful festival brought people from different backgrounds together Aileach Women’s Walking Club Inishowen Development Partnership met with the Aileach Women’s group to help them engage new residents (women) in the area. It was identified that there was a need to start a walking club. An information /registration evening was held on March 7th, 2012. The guest speaker was Myles Sweeney of the Donegal Sport Partnership.

It was envisaged that a walking/ leaders training programme would then be organised.

Thirty-two women from cross-community, cross border and new residents registered and the club is still developing and growing. Friendships and other social events have grown from this initiative.

10 Community barbeque a great success

The Muff Community Barbeque led to people coming together and communicating about the benefits of the local festival and emphasising that it was for everyone living in the area. The idea behind the Muff Community Barbeque was to hold an event open to everyone in the community.

The barbeque took take place as part of the Muff Community Festival in the Festival Field and there were plenty of other attractions, ranging from a bouncy castle to a fortune teller, face-painting and amusements. One of the most popular events was undoubtedly the dog show, with all sorts of breeds, big and small, and young and old.

A welcoming flyer had been printed inviting people to the event and providing contact details for all the different community groups in the area. This was circulated to the entire area as part of the Muff Festival brochure.

There was a large turn out on the day and the warm weather helped. There was visible participation from the new estates as young parents and children walked to the festival field. The soap box derby also drew a large number of spectators and also participants.

The overall Muff Community Development Co-op worked with the Border Villages Social Integration Project to actively identify gaps in local community organisations and seek to encourage more participation of new residents in the local community life.

There was a great turnout for the community barbeque which attracted a mixture of new and older residents. 11 Carrigans / St. Johnston / Killea

The St. Johnston & Carrigans Family Resource Centre serves the villages of Killea, Carrigans and St. Johnston.

The Centre hosted Mid-Summer Community Suppers in 2011 & 2012. These events targeted the integration of the communities of Killea, Carrigans and St. Johnston.

As part of the preparation for these events all the new estates in the area were called on door to door and people were encouraged to not only attend and also to participate in and utilise the Family Resource centre. This afforded the opportunity for conversation with new residents about the services available in the area.

The participants were also asked where they were originally from? What amenities do not exist that you would like to see in the area? Do they have any skills they would like to promote and would they like to become more involved in the local community, and if yes, how?

12 There was positive feed-back and at the early stage of analysis and things such as play areas, facilities for young children, transport and a farmers’ market were suggested as projects local people would like to see provided.

However, the main thrust of the feedback was pointing towards youth work and the need to target the Killea / Carrigans area for programmes supporting the integration of communities and the provision of outreach facilities to address the issues.

These events had good participation from the new residents and was also very much cross-community in nature with a good participation from the minority Protestant community.

13 Castlefinn / Doneyloop

Local Newsletters A local newsletter publication by Castlefinn and Doneyloop youth clubs was supported by These youth clubs are the Border Villages Social Integration Project. cross community and Young people from the area came together and have a number of new suggested that they would produce a series of families joining their newsletters to inform the local community of is- activities. sues in their area.

Sport Leader Training Course Members of Castlefinn and Doneyloop Youth Club leaders feel that this programme has Clubs participated in an accredited Sport challenged this and led to strengthened Leader Assessment Training Course relationships between young people in early 2013. and club leaders.

Tutors Mel O’ Donnell and Nicola Harvey of the A recognised qualification was accredited to Donegal Sports Partnership covered a number those who had successfully completed the of areas including: Leadership Skills; Shared weekend. Learning; Presentation skills; and Challenging Opinions.

The key focus was to build bridges between local clubs, and this was achieved through both Castlefinn and Doneyloop Youth Clubs participating.

Although neighbouring clubs, there had been limited opportunities for the clubs to engage with each other which led to ill - feeling and competition between the two clubs. 14 Burnfoot / Bridgend / Burt Féile Ghrianán Áileagh Group Féile Ghrianán Áileagh Group are an The day was themed in and around the time of amalgamation of local development groups, Christianity 432 AD. The activities on the day local and cross-border business, artists, was very much in keeping of this period. This musicians, historians and tourism providers was the first occasion that a large event of this living in the border and surrounding areas of scale was held in the ancient fort. Inishowen & Derry. It was estimated that over 1200 people attended the event. Some of the groups and business involved included: Muff Community Development Group, Trinity Court Newtowncunnigham, NCDI Newtowncunnigham, Development Group, Burt Residents Group, Inishowen GAA, IOSAS Centre Muff, North Inishowen Historical Society, Derry City Tours, Harrys Restaurant Bridgend, Wallace Media, Grianan Hotel, Feast or Famine, Éireann, Local Individuals and Inishowen Development Partnership.

The aims and objectives were to engage organisations/groups/business and individuals/new residents living in the border areas to come and work together to develop a better and stronger community that would be all inclusive to all communities in the border region and its environs.

The Féile illustrated a period in time of the history of An Grianan, around the period when St. Patrick arrived.

The schools pageant part of this event was supported by the Border Villages Social Integration Project and involved children from St Aengus School, Bridgend, and Groarty Primary School in Derry. Many of the children attending Groarty live in Donegal but attend school across the border.

The event took place on the 20th May 2012 and was hugely successful due to the commitment of the voluntary groups, and the funders, PEACE III, Leader IDP and Donegal County Council Development Initiative Fund. 15 Lifford / Ballindrait / Raphoe

Healthy Eating Cookery Demonstration In conjunction with the development of community gardens (see page 18), a Healthy Eating Cookery Demonstration was held in Lifford, this proved to be a great success with a real mixture of people coming together. As well as being given tips and information about healthy eating options, it was also an opportunity for social interaction. Demonstrations were also held in Killea & Muff.

Busy town Raphoe has long been an important market town in an area where there is a relatively large number of people from minority religions. There is a strong sense of community spirit which is evident in the work being carried out by organisations like Raphoe Family Resource Centre. The Donegal Border Villages Website (see page 20) was launched in the Centre in early 2013.

16 Directory of Early Childhood Services Donegal County Childcare Committee, in association with the Border Villages Social Integration Project, developed a Directory of Early Childhood Services for the border region of Donegal.

Evidence has shown that the best way to encourage community participation from new residents is to involve the young children. In many community playgroups there is strong evidence that new residents are already starting to participate therefore it is anticipated that this directory of services will enhance this participation rate. Speakers & Guests at the launch

In mixed community areas it has been proven as the best form of social integration.

This directory of early childhood education services provides information for the border community and, in particular, new residents, to make a choice about their child’s first steps on the education ladder and to provide choices locally to create greater social integration. The Launch of Early Childhood Education Directory of Services for Border Village areas in County Donegal took place at Donegal County Council Headquarters in Lifford.

Profiling National Schools in border villages.

Following a meeting with principals, thirteen National Schools in the Border Villages areas participated in the production of an information booklet available for each individual school to use e.g. at open days, parent/ teacher days, door to door leaflet drops and networking through family and friends.

Right - Cllr. Frank McBrearty, Mayor of Donegal and Cllr. Dessie Larkin, Chair of Donegal CDB Peace & Reconciliation Partnership at the launch. 17 Cross Border Community Gardens

Speakers at the launch of Lifford and Killea Community Gardens. The Lifford and Killea Community Gardens, which were supported by the Border Villages Social Integration Project, were launched by the Mayor of Donegal, Councillor Frank Mc Brearty on Saturday, February 16th 2013 in the Rehab Care Centre, Finn Valley Enterprise Park, Lifford.

The Community Gardens will be a valuable tool Cllr. Gerry Crawford & Cllr. Frank McBrearty, for bringing people together of different Mayor of Donegal, at the launch. communities, abilities, ages, and cultures and will facilitate a more cohesive society between the new residents and the local communities of Lifford and Killea and their surrounding areas.

The Mayor noted that “as well as providing a neutral shared space for participants, where friendships and social cohesion develops promoting a community atmosphere, community gardens also have numerous benefits to those who participate, such as improved life quality, personal satisfaction and enjoyment, and an improved sense of well Community Garden - Killea being including real health and fitness benefits.”

Community Garden - Lifford 18 Cllr Frank McBreaty, ‘Mayor of Donegal’, pictured with attendees at the official opening of the community garden in Lifford. Introduction To Mediation An Accredited Introduction to Mediation course, The workshop explained the legal framework designed to help build an initial understanding for mediation and how it can be used effectively, of the role of mediation in conflict resolution, introduced participants to the different models was held as part of the Border Villages Social of mediation and also gave participants practice Integration Project. in using basic mediation skills for use in different types of disputes. The course was part of a series of Good Relations and Healthy Communities training The course was delivered by Owen Donnelly programmes specifically customised for and Michael Doherty from the Peace and Community & Voluntary organisations located Reconciliation Group (PRG) in in the border villages of County Donegal. Derry / Londonderry. It provided clear working definitions of different models of mediation, the processes involved and the skills needed in mediation. Participants, from all sections of the Public and Voluntary Sector in the border village areas were provided with clear strategies into how and why mediation could be used in Participants who took part in the various conflict situations. Introduction to Mediation course.

19 Border Villages Website The Border Villages Social Integration Project also created a Donegal Border Villages website. The website is a great on-line resource where comprehensive information on regional amenities and up to date news, events and happenings can be found.

The site is easy to navigate, with links for the various towns and villages in the border regions area. It contains a border villages events calendar, maps of the villages Pictured at the launch of the website in Raphoe were (From Left): Brian McAleer (Project Officer, Border Villages Social Integration Project), and a photo gallery. Gavin McDaid (Greenlight Media), Paruic Hilferty(Greenlight Media), and Mayor of Donegal Cllr Frank McBreaty. There is also an outline of the whole Border Villages Project with a highly informative video provide up to date information, for the border that includes footages of many of the events community and in particular new residents, associated with the project. about the services available in each area,” The Border Villages Website was officially and added: “It will also facilitate greater choice, launched by the Mayor of Co. Donegal, particularly for new residents who have moved Cllr. Frank McBrearty on 14th February 2013 in to the border towns and villages over the past the Raphoe Family Resource Centre. decade, encouraging them to become more involved in the community services available to The Mayor commented “The Donegal Border them in their local area where they now reside”. Villages website is a great resource which will

This project is supported by the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund, through the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by Donegal County Council www.donegalbordervillages.com 20