Good Relations Week to celebrate ‘People Making Change for Peace’

A range of free public events will take place across the Fermanagh and Omagh district as part of the Northern Ireland-wide Good Relations Week.

Taking place from Monday 16 September – Sunday 22 September 2019, this year’s theme for the week – ‘People Making Change for Peace’ – will celebrate the wide range of ways in which people are helping to build united communities together based on understanding, respect and engagement.

Launching the programme of events taking place during Good Relations Week in the Fermanagh and Omagh district, the Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Siobhán Currie, said:

“Good Relations Week offers a platform to showcase innovative approaches to good relations and building a united and shared society. It is an opportunity to celebrate all aspects of our culture and heritage, promote cultural diversity and tackle sectarianism and racism. Good Relations Week is also a reminder that to share this place we live in, we need to respect each other’s differences and increase understanding and engagement between and amongst all sections of the community.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone involved in organising events for Good Relations Week across the Fermanagh and Omagh district and pay tribute to all those community and voluntary groups who give freely of their time to help improve local community relations throughout the year.”

Good Relations Week is coordinated by the Community Relations Council with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council organising a number of events across the district during the week in partnership with others.

Community Relations Council Chair, Martin McDonald, said: “This year we have selected the theme ‘People Making Change for Peace’ as we seek to showcase the contribution many thousands of people make to creating and sustaining good relationships across the community.

We are delighted to have such strong support from the Good Relations team at Fermanagh and Omagh Council and a packed programme of over 200 events across Northern Ireland which showcase the fantastic work and the people behind it that is so important to our society.

I encourage everyone in the Fermanagh and Omagh area to get involved in Good Relations Week and to seek to play their own role in making positive change for peace.”

Events and activities taking place throughout the district for Good Relations Week include:

Tuesday 17 September 2019, 7pm-9pm – ‘My Bumpy Road to Peace’, Mahon’s Hotel, Irvinestown

A public talk by Rev David Latimer based on his book ‘A Leap of Faith’ which captures the importance of building bridges between faiths for a shared future. Organised by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council in partnership with Omagh Interfaith Group.

Wednesday 18 September 2019, 10am-4pm, ‘Making Change For Peace: Let’s Make Democracy Democratic In Northern Ireland’, Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen 

A conference examining how democracy has fared in Northern Ireland in the past century and how we can help shape a democracy that is inclusive and committed to the creation of the common good. Keynote speaker Dr Johnston McMaster. Organised by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council in partnership with Fermanagh Churches’ Forum.

Wednesday 18 September 2019, 7pm – 9pm, ‘Making Time and Space for God’, Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh

A public talk by Rev David Cupples focusing on his personal experience of completing the famous Camino de Santiago walk. This event will provide an opportunity to discuss and understand how one’s personal journey can contribute to reconciliation. Organised by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council in partnership with Omagh Churches’ Forum.

Thursday 19 September 2019, 9.30am – 12.30pm, ‘A Time of Change Ireland 1919 – 1921’ conference, Omagh Library

A conference examining the key historical events from 1919 up to the King’s speech on the opening of Parliament of Northern Ireland in June 1921. Speakers include Martin Snoddon, Sean Collins, Dr Myrtle Hill and compered by Peter Osborne. Organised by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council in partnership with the Rural Community Network and Libraries NI.

Saturday 21 September 2019, 1.30pm, An Ghaeilge in Uachtar – Uncovering Ulster’s Irish language heritage, Enniskillen Castle

Bi-lingual event with Cuan Ó Seireadáin and Cuisle Nic Liam speaking about the ongoing heritage project examining the history, heritage and legacy of Conradh na Gaeilge branches locally. Organised by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.

To find out more about events taking place in the Fermanagh and Omagh district during Good Relations Week please call a member of the Good Relations team on 0300 303 1777 (calls charged at local rate) or Textphone 028 8225 6216.

These events and projects have received financial support from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s Good Relations programme assisted by The Executive Office.