Adam Turkington, a Belfast creative producer and cultural organizer, has significantly influenced the city’s street art scene. Founder of the Hit the North festival, he advocates for public art as a means to foster community and connection. Turkington emphasizes the transformative potential of art in bridging divides and enhancing local identity. Continue reading Adam Turkington
The content reflects on a transformative journey of storytelling across the U.S., where individuals share personal experiences related to healing, courage, and prevention of various social issues. Emphasizing hope and resilience, it highlights the importance of listening, community support, and the proactive quest for solutions to life’s challenges. Continue reading Healing
Bryonie Reid, a writer and cultural geographer from Belfast, explores connections between place and belonging through community projects with her sister, Gemma. Their work fosters dialogue on Northern Ireland’s complex history, emphasizing quiet relationship-building and listening as pathways to peace, acceptance, and shared futures amidst challenges and uncertainty. Continue reading Bryonie Reid
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 Hilary Lawrey
In the summer of 1976, a nine-year-old recalls a family road trip to the Canadian Rockies, sparked by a sense of exploration and warmth. This experience inspired a lifelong passion for finding beauty in unexpected places. As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, the author emphasizes the importance of community, storytelling, and healing through shared experiences. Continue reading Happy Birthday
Dot Wilson, a lifelong resident of Ballycastle, Northern Ireland, is a community-builder and peace advocate dedicated to fostering connections across divides. Through her involvement with the Corrymeela Community and the establishment of Mill Strand Integrated Primary School, Dot emphasizes the importance of community in peacebuilding, advocating for mutual respect and integrated education. Continue reading Dot Wilson
Alistair Kilgore, a Northern Irish educator and peacebuilder, has dedicated over fifty years to fostering cross-community understanding. He emphasizes reconciliation through acknowledging personal roles in conflict and building relationships. His initiatives include supporting integrated education, challenging sectarianism, and creating inclusive spaces for healing and connection among divided communities in Northern Ireland. Continue reading Alastair Kilgore
Last weekend, I attended the Great American Think-Off in New York Mills, Minnesota, where contestants debated the prompt, “Has the pursuit of happiness made Americans unhappy?” Allen Taylor won this year’s event. This Think-Off marks the beginning of a two-year project to explore various reflections on American identity and progress. Continue reading Happiness
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
