An Garda Síochána took part in an historic ceremony to mark the official launch of 'The Project Children Stories' exhibition at the Peace Campus in Monaghan yesterday evening.
The event, entitled 'The Project Children Stories - A Legacy of Peace Lives On in Monaghan', included a flag-raising ceremony at the Courthouse followed by a full ceremonial parade from the Courthouse to the Peace Campus.
The parade was led by the Garda Ceremonial Unit, the Garda Band and Mounted Support Unit, New York Police Department Pipes and Drums Band, senior officers from An Garda Síochána and representatives from Project Children and Monaghan County Council.
The event was organised by Project Children, Monaghan County Council and Liam Bradley, Curator of Monaghan County Museum.
Project Children is a humanitarian initiative founded in 1975 by Irish-American NYPD officer Denis Mulcahy during the height of conflict in Northern Ireland. The project gave children from Catholic and Protestant communities a chance to escape violence and sectarian divide by spending summers in the United States with host families. 23,000 children were offered a summer reprieve.
Over the years, Project Children expanded its efforts, offering internships, scholarships and opportunities that promoted reconciliation and understanding.
Chief Superintendent Alan McGovern said: "We are very pleased to be part of Project Children's 50th anniversary here in Monaghan and we want to thank members of the public who came out to support us as we marched through the streets with the Garda Band and NYPD Pipes and Drums Band and of course members of Project Children, led by Denis Mulcahy.
"We're proud to welcome the legacy of Project Children to Monaghan; it's part of an historic cultural partnership. Founded in 1975, Project Children brought thousands of young people from Northern Ireland to the United States during some of the most difficult years of The Troubles. The aim was simple, yet very profound - to offer children of all backgrounds a chance to escape the violence and division of home and experience peace and friendship in a neutral, nurturing environment.
"Over the decades, the project changed over 23,000 lives offering hope and a powerful example of cross-community reconciliation."
Superintendent Pat O'Connell added: "The decision to house the Project Children archive at the Monaghan Peace Campus is a fitting tribute and a meaningful step in preserving our shared history. This archive will be open to the public and will include photographs, interviews and personal stories, not just of the children, but of the host families, volunteers who made the project possible.
"Monaghan's location close to the Border gives the project added resonance and a place that has always understood the value of peace and cooperation. And we were delighted to be able to share the parade with the New York Pipe Band in what was a unique and historic event for Monaghan and for the nation."
Project Children has forged a cultural partnership with Monaghan County Council and the Peace Campus in Monaghan town, dedicated to cross community and cross border peace initiatives across the island of Ireland.
