Project Children legacy to take centre stage this Autumn
A celebration of friendship, peace and community connections built over five decades will take place across Monaghan this autumn as a series of events honours the enduring legacy of Project Children.
The initiative, which has impacted the lives of more than 23,000 young people from Northern Ireland, will be celebrated through a programme of cultural, educational and community events organised through Monaghan County Council's cultural partnership with Project Children.
Building on the success of the organisation's 50th anniversary commemorations and the launch of The Project Children Stories exhibition and permanent archive at Monaghan County Museum, the autumn programme aims to bring communities together through storytelling, heritage, culture and shared experiences.
A major highlight will be the launch of a new Project Children publication, documenting the stories, memories and lasting impact of an initiative that fostered friendship, understanding and reconciliation across generations and continents.
Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council, Cllr Aidan Campbell, said Project Children continues its “extraordinary” legacy of “compassion, friendship and hope”.
“Fifty years after it began, its legacy continues to inspire people across Ireland and the United States. Through our cultural partnership with Project Children, Monaghan County Council is proud to support this autumn programme, which will provide opportunities for people to reflect on the remarkable impact of the initiative and celebrate the lifelong connections it created.”
Founded in 1975 by Irish-American brothers Denis and Pat Mulcahy (originally from Cork), Project Children began when six children from Northern Ireland were brought to the United States for six weeks of respite from the violence of The Troubles. What started as a small act of kindness grew into a programme that touched the lives of more than 23,000 young people, creating friendships and understanding that continue to resonate today.
The programme begins on Saturday, October 10, with Community Day – A Place for Everyone at Monaghan Peace Campus.
Organised by the Museum, Library, Community and Foróige services based in the campus, the event will feature live music and dance, interactive exhibitions, community arts activities, virtual reality experiences, storytelling, theatre and heritage displays.
Highlights include a virtual reality tour of Rossmore Castle, Ulster-Scots music and dance performances, documentary screenings and activities celebrating the cultures and traditions that connect communities. A dedicated sensory space will also be available throughout the day.
HOW TO DEFUSE A BOMB
On Sunday, October 11, audiences will have the opportunity to attend a documentary screening of How to Defuse a Bomb. The Project Children Story will be presented at Iontas, Castleblayney, in collaboration with Blayney Blades. The documentary explores themes of peacebuilding, reconciliation and the human stories behind conflict resolution.
The Autumn programme continues Monday, October 12, with a welcome for visiting guests from the United States, alongside multiple performances of The Unfinished Broadside at Monaghan Peace Campus. The performances are delivered through a cross-border partnership between Monaghan Museum and Bready Ulster Scots.
The programme culminates on Tuesday, October 13, with a celebration of the Project Children legacy centred on the launch of the new publication.
Former participants, host families, supporters and special guests will gather to reflect on 50 years of friendship, understanding and peacebuilding.
TIME TO REFLECT
The day will also feature guided tours of The Project Children Stories exhibition, documentary screenings and a special NYPD Gaelic Football Club exhibition match in Clones. Chief Executive of Monaghan County Council, Robert Burns, said: “This autumn programme demonstrates how the legacy of Project Children continues to bring people together through shared stories, culture and community connections. The launch of the new Project Children book is a particularly important milestone, helping to preserve these experiences and ensuring they continue to inspire future generations. Through our cultural partnership with Project Children, we are proud to support initiatives that strengthen relationships and celebrate this remarkable legacy.”
Exhibition
Visitors are also being encouraged to experience The Project Children Stories exhibition at Monaghan County Museum, where personal memories, photographs, artefacts and recorded testimonies document the experiences of those involved in the programme and the legacy they helped create.