Historic launch of Deep Dialogue

An important step in the development of greater understanding and awareness between peoples of different political traditions and cultures was taken with the launch of the "Breffni in Transition" project in the Hotel Kilmore, Cavan, on Tuesday night of last week. The project is being promoted by Cavan Family Resource Centre in association with Cavan County Council under the Peace III Programme and a key element is the ongoing Deep Dialogue segment that involves engagement between people of the Protestant, Orange traditions and those from the Republican/Nationalist traditions. The launch of the Breffni in Transition project was undertaken by Ger Finn, Director of Service, Cavan County Council, who was deputising for County Manager, Jack Keyes, who had a prior arranged engagement. Those in attendance included a number of Cavan public representatives including the Chairman of Cavan County Council, Winston Bennett. Also present were representatives of other community groups and the relaxed atmosphere of the occasion was reflected in the musical renditions provided by the Killyfargue Pipe Band from the Scotshouse area of Co. Monaghan and the Cuisla Ceoil ceili band from Cavan. At the outset Angela Graham, co-ordinator of Breffni in Transition, welcomed all present on behalf of the Cavan Family Resource Centre and Cavan County Council. She introduced John Dunne, chairperson of Cavan Family Resource Centre and Mr. Dunne in his address outlined how in 1997 Father Oliver O'Reilly founded the Cavan Resource Centre, which became actively involved in reaching out to all people regardless of race, gender, religion or politics. Nine years ago he wasn't aware that Solas Nua existed and he went along to the first meeting with a sense of apprehension as he was meeting other people whom he didn't know. On hindsight he need not have been worried. "Although we all came from different backgrounds and with the help of a trained voluntary facilitator we had common ground on which we focused. We were of great help to one and other and that group is still functioning. Solas Nua has been a tremendous help to people from counties Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim, Fermanagh and Meath," said Mr. Dunne. John Dunne also referred to the other programmes being run by Cavan Family Resource Centre such as Rainbows, suicide bereavement, addiction counselling and mediation services. He said that in 2002, Cavan Family Resource Centre initiated a project to assist minorities in the Border region under the guidance of Eileen Brady. This allowed people from different traditions to meet and share experiences. Last year they published a book entitled Harvest that contains the reflections of various participants in that programme. Under the Peace III Programme they have undertaken the Befriending programme, which is co-ordinated by Philomena Finnegan and its objective is to assist people in the Border region who are feeling isolated. A number of trained volunteers are already working in this field, he said. Turning to the Breffni in Transition project, John Dunne said that it was in the capable hands of Angela Graham and he wished her every success with the project. He also paid tribute to Nuala McGovern who is in charge of administration at Cavan Family Resource Centre and he thanked all of the volunteers who give freely of their time; also the professional counsellors and his colleagues on the board of management for their efforts. Marty Lynch, a member of the board of management of Cavan Family Resource Centre and a volunteer mediator with the centre then explained the work of the centre's mediation services. He said that there were 21 trained mediators working in this field and recalled how that six or seven years ago they were approached by Louisn nua in Leitrim in relation to assisting Republican ex prisoners get back into society. Cavan Family Resource Centre applied for funding under the Peace II Programme and this allowed training to be undertaken in the field of mediation and over the next five years 70 people were trained. Marty Lynch spoke of the importance of such mediation skills in helping individuals and groups of people in a wide range of situations to resolve their differences. He stated that in 2007 Cavan Family Resource Centre set up an organisation to specifically address conflict. Areas of conflict could be a dispute in a family, a dispute between neighbours and he found his training as a mediator was a great help to him in his work with the local authority. He wished Angela Graham every success with her work in the Breffni In Transition programme. There was a love of music in both their families - music was very good at bringing people together and the music featured at the launch was very much part of that spirit, he said. Angela Graham in her address thanked the management committee of Cavan Family Resource Centre for employing her. She gave a special mention to Eileen Brady, Philomena Finnegan and Nuala McGovern for welcoming her to Cavan; also Orla Brady of Community & Enterprise and Jane Crudden who heads up the Peace III team in the Cavan area for their welcome and assistance. The Breffni in Transition Co-ordinator recalled that she was born in London to a Cavan father and a Monaghan mother and that her family returned to live in Drum, Co. Monaghan, when she was but an infant. This was the 1960s and home was a mud walled cottage but her parents through hard work built up the farm. She said that the family were drawn to the Free Presbyterian Church and became founder members of the Church in Drum. Dr. Paisley was Moderator of the Church and the term Paisleyite was often used to categorise followers of his. However, they were not a political family and were not aligned to any political party. She recalled growing up in the Free Church and of the impact of prejudice and vowed that she would never treat anyone in this way. She was a member of Drum Accordion Band following in the footsteps of her father and grandfather who played in bands in both Cavan and Monaghan. Her children were all enthusiastic members of Drum accordion band. She thanked the Killyfargue Pipe band and the Cuisla Ceoil ceili band for providing the music at the launch. Ten years ago it would not have been possible. "Thanks to the Peace Process these things are now possible," she said. Angela then spoke of her previous work with Clones Community Forum. She said that she joined the staff of Clones Community Forum ten years ago. She had grown up in Drum which was the Republic's only Protestant village and her community were conscious of their identity and were afraid of losing that identity. Some in her community would have questioned her decision to go to work in Clones, which was perceived as a "Republican town" but in fact Clones turned out to be a wonderful experience for her. She met and worked alongside Josephine Treanor who was from Knockatallon an area, which suffered much because of its Border location but through a wonderful community spirit the people of that area had managed to build their own community-run hotel. "In Clones lasting friendships were made and we tackled everything that came our way whether it was the Special Olympics or working with Glencree reconciliation centre. I couldn't speak highly enough of the people of Clones; the Republican town gave a welcome to me," she said. Angela Graham said that her own village of Drum has also gone from strength to strength. Knowledge that she gained working with Clones Community Forum she brought home with her to Drum and they became empowered, engaging with the county council and other agencies. The village has won many awards. She pointed out that this was the background from which she came to Cavan to work as a co-ordinator with Cavan Family Resource Centre. She said that the deep dialogue programme involved Republicans, Protestants and others affected by the conflict. Like the inter faith programme it was now well underway. She thanked facilitator Martin Kennedy for his support. "I would like to see in a peace that is deeply embedded. I would like to see an acknowledgement of our history; where culture and religious diversity is practised; where intolerance or sectarianism is banished forever and where we have a shared and inclusive future." Angela thanked the Special European Programmes Body and County Cavan Peace Partnership for their funding and support.