Integrating Communities Dublin Study Visit, November 2011

22 November 2011

The first intake of participants on the Support Phase of Integrating Communities Programme recently attended a cross community/cross border peace building study visit to Dublin.

The event was attended by a number of community groups from across Northern Ireland and the 6 border counties, in total 38 representatives from 21 community groups (from as far away as Carrigallen in Co Leitrim to Belfast in Co Antrim and from Greenore in Co Louth to Newtownsaville in Co Tyrone).

It began with a very informative Stadium and Museum tour at Croke Park followed by a guided tour of the Dail in the afternoon.

On the Saturday morning the partnerships where given the opportunity to discuss their upcoming small project ideas and have any queries addressed. A workshop followed this whereby participants shared with each other the benefits and challenges of working in partnership as well as reflecting on the previous day’s visits.

The final element of the event was a very enjoyable and worthwhile visit to the Battle of the Boyne.

Visiting group members commented that ‘all visits were very interesting, I learnt a lot and enjoyed it immensely’, with others stating ‘more of these events should be organised to get all sections of the community to come together and work together for everyone’s benefit’.