29 Beal 2014, 13:38
The Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement was this morning told of the lasting positive impact on community relations in Derry following an inclusive Fleadh Ceoil na hÉireann in 2013.
29 May 2014
Among those addressing the Committee were:
- Eibhlín Ní Dhochartaigh, Fleadh Executive Committee
- Donncha Mac Niallais and Carol Nic Conmara, Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin
- Lisa Anderson, Droichead
- Derek Moore, Londonderry Bands Forum
- James Kee, Sollus Centre
- Jonathan Burgess, playwright, writer and Director of Blue Eagle Productions
- Brian Dougherty, St Columb’s Park House Reconciliation Centre
Committee Chairman Joe McHugh TD says: “This morning, we heard an insightful series on presentations on how arts and culture are being harnessed to enhance community relations in Derry and the wider Northwest region. We were told of the lasting legacy of the last year’s Fleadh programme, in which the city’s Loyalist bands played an integral role. In a striking contribution, we were told that the event served to showcase the traditions of the Protestant/Unionist/Loyalist community. We heard that while this heritage may have been tolerated by the wider community in the past, the role of the bands in the Fleadh has contributed to this heritage being now accepted and celebrated.
“As a Committee, we are aware that arts and culture cannot solve longstanding issues of unemployment and poverty that persist in many pockets in the city. However, that community relations in the city have been greatly enhanced by such cooperation displays the power of arts and culture in fostering better cross community relations. Given the success of the Fleadh and the hosting of the UK City of Culture, a number of Members were keen to explore if such an approach by community leaders in Derry might be deployed in other areas of Northern Ireland. We were told that a positive, sustained and sensitive approach to cross community involvement in the 2013 events in Derry overcame initial scepticism and that there was no reason why this could not work elsewhere.”
Separately, the Committee also gained from the input of Wendy Langham from the East Belfast Partnership on their ongoing efforts in regenerating and developing East Belfast. The organisation describes itself as a broad based social partnership with community, statutory, political and business members who are dedicated to the regeneration of East Belfast.
Deputy McHugh continues: “We thank Wendy for an impressive presentation on the wide-ranging work of the East Belfast Partnership. Coming after a hugely successful day in which the Giro d’Italia passed through inner East Belfast, the meeting was a timely opportunity to hear of the positive work being led by the Partnership. Committee Members were impressed by the ambitious plans for the Connswater Community Greenway, a 9km linear park, which stands to benefit over 40,000 people in the area.”
Ends
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Communications Unit,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
Members of the Committee:
Deputies: Seán Conlan, Seán Crowe, Clare Daly, Regina Doherty, Frank Feighan, Martin Ferris, Peter M Fitzpatrick, Michael P Kitt, Joe McHugh (Chair), Joe O’Reilly (Vice-Chair), Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Brendan Smith, Joanna Tuffy and Jack Wall
Senators: Maurice Cummins (Leader of the House), Jim D’Arcy, Mary Moran and Mary White