Nell McCafferty was a renowned journalist and activist from Derry, known for her fierce advocacy for women’s and civil rights. To her family, she was simply “our Nell,” a mischievous and adventurous sister and aunt. Carmel and Muire share personal anecdotes that highlight her profound impact on their lives and the community she loved. Continue reading Carmel McCafferty and Muire McCallion
Patricia Moore is a community activist and longtime Sinn Féin member from Derry, Northern Ireland, whose life has been shaped by the conflict known as the Troubles and the subsequent peace process. Raised in Derry during some of the most violent years of the conflict, she experienced military raids, street violence, and the daily realities of a divided society from an early age. At 17, she became involved in republican politics and later spent more than a year in prison after being detained during a mass arrest operation; the case against her ultimately collapsed when the key witness withdrew her testimony. Continue reading Patricia Moore
Chris McDonough, a community development worker in Derry, Northern Ireland, focuses on bridging divides between Protestant and Catholic neighborhoods through dialogue and youth engagement. With a commitment to reconciliation and social equity, he believes true peace involves understanding diverse identities and overcoming historical trauma, emphasizing the need for ongoing healing beyond the Troubles. Continue reading Chris McDonagh
Shelley Cowan, a disability advocate from Northern Ireland, founded Justus to promote inclusivity for adults with disabilities. After a decade of health struggles, she regained mobility and earned a master’s degree. Along with caregiver Tracey Farry, they foster connections across cultural divides, transforming personal challenges into community empowerment and empathy. Continue reading Shelley Cowan and Tracey Farry
Martina Byrne, a community builder in Hilltown, Ireland, transformed her personal experiences of isolation into a proactive initiative to connect women. Co-founding a thriving women’s group, she fosters community through diverse activities. Motivated by her desire for connection, Byrne emphasizes peace, trust, and women’s roles in grassroots change, nurturing relationships for lasting impact. Continue reading Martina Byrne
Vincenta Leyden, raised on the border of Northern and Southern Ireland, reflects on her complex identity shaped by the Troubles. Through poetry and art, she explores emotions and fosters connections among communities. Leyden urges a critical examination of inherited beliefs, recognizing the lasting impacts of conflict on everyday life and societal norms. Continue reading Vincenta Leyden
Manorhamilton, Ireland Nula McNulty is a lifelong resident of North Leitrim, Ireland, who returned home in 2003 after years working on Ireland’s east coast and two years in China as a food technologist. Raised on a mixed farm near the Northern Ireland border, she grew up during the Troubles with a father from the North and a mother from the South. Her upbringing instilled in … Continue reading Nula McNulty
In Manorhamilton, Republic of Ireland, Carmel Loughlin and Lauri McCusker share their experiences with the impact of conflict on mental health and community development. Loughlin reflects on lost family connections during the Troubles, while McCusker emphasizes the importance of collaboration beyond divisions for positive change and community building. Continue reading Carmel Loughlin and Lauri McCusker
Gerry Creamer is the youngest of five children. He grew up in a traditional, devoutly Catholic family in the Republic of Ireland, close to the border with the North.
Elaine O’Hara has spent most of her life in Manorhamilton with short stays in Cork and Belfast, just after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. Continue reading Gerry Creamer and Elaine O’Hara
Israel Eguaogie was 17 when he left Nigeria and relocated to Germany as an asylum seeker. A decade later he moved to Dublin and soon after that, shifted north to Belfast. It was a decision that horrified his mother back in Nigeria, who had heard news reports of the sectarian violence in the country. But Israel said that he experienced the calm and the peace of Northern Ireland and recalled it was the first place since living in Germany, where someone said hello to him first. Continue reading Israel Eguaogie
