Local organisations recipients of latest batch of Shared Island Funding

Three local organisations have received funding for the Shared Island Civic Society Fund administered by the Irish Government. Newry Chamber Music, Rural Health Partnership and Yellow Road Wellbeing Centre and Social Farm.

Newry Chamber Music received a total of €42,800 in collaboration with Irish Youth Opera based in Carlingford for a project entitled The Walk from the Garden by Jonathan Dove- A Church Opera in One Act.

Rural Health Partnership based in Cullyhanna received €31,075 in conjunction with Lifestyle Development Group CLG Drogheda for a project entitled Shared Roots and Routes.

* Speaking on behalf of Rural Health Partnership Mrs Teresa Nugent CEO said "We are delighted that our application to the Shared Island Civic Society Fund with Lifestyle Development Group CLG Drogheda   has been successful.  The project is entitled "Shared Roots and Routes"   and in collaboration with the Lifestyle Development Group, the Rural Health Partnership have designed a programme to highlight and foster our Shared Roots and Routes in terms of heritage, history, culture, and customs.   These themes will be interwoven into the various components of the project. Through our encounters, our sharing, storytelling, creative expression, we will explore our present and future responsibilities as members of a shared island civic society.   The Project will support development opportunities in the communities involved, raise awareness, promote networking, common understanding and appreciation of difference. Participants in the various interactions, activities and workshops will have opportunity to explore our common culture and heritage and share differing perspectives.  We are looking forward to getting started and are very grateful to have received this funding".

Yellow Road Wellbeing Centre, Hilltown also received €14,500 working with Social Farm Cooley Connect Well for a project entitled Growing Social Garden for Nature /Gardening South - Gardening North.

Announcing €1m funding for a total of 35 projects yesterday Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin TD said all the projects have a strong cross border dimension and will facilitate the development of new links and strengthen existing relationships on issues of common concern for civic society groups on both sides of the border.

The Tánaiste said “I am delighted to announce funding for 35 new projects, amounting to €1 million. These projects are in a broad range of sectors and themes, including in the areas of climate and the environment, community development, heritage, social enterprise, charitable and voluntary work, and sports.

“I established the Shared Island Initiative in 2020 with a positive vision for the future of our island – a vision of a more confident, inclusive, and prosperous island for everyone, North and South."

“The Shared Island Civic Society Fund promotes practical cooperation and interaction in civic society on this island. This latest round of grants will promote North South cooperation and enhance cross-border civic, economic, cultural, and community links across the island.”

The Shared Island Civic Society Fund will be open for a further round of applications in the coming months.”