The Meath Peace Group is a voluntary group based in County Meath in the Republic of Ireland. The group was founded in April 1993 in Slane. It is not connected to any political party or religious denomination and is founded on the belief that ordinary people have a role and responsibility in bringing about the climate in which a just and lasting peace can develop.
Aims and Objectives
To promote peace, and the fostering of understanding, mutual respect, reconciliation and trust through dialogue between people North and South and between people from both main traditions on the island of Ireland
To encourage and facilitate ordinary people, particularly in Co. Meath, to recognise their role and responsibility in helping to promote peace, understanding, reconciliation, and healing, and to assist in the empowerment of young people in the long-term work of building the foundations for a lasting peace on the island.
To raise awareness and improve information, and to encourage and contribute to debate and meaningful dialogue on issues of conflict, locally and internationally.
Principal Activities
Public talks 1993-2007: 65 to date
Publications: transcripts of public talks (1994-); transcripts/summaries also available on website; bound volumes of sets of talks available in Co Library, Navan and St Columban’s College, Dalgan Park, Navan; articles, reports and interviews etc. in local media; statements and letters to editor, local and national newspapers
Schools programmes (1995-2001, 2003-07): Transition Year Peace Studies module including workshops, discussions, study visits and guest speakers
Heritage study days – conducted visits to heritage sites, mainly in Meath and Louth
Networking/outreach: association with variety of groups North and South, including the Guild of Uriel (Co. Louth-based dialogue, reconciliation and heritage group, founded in 1995, with committee members coming from North and South of the border and from a variety of backgrounds and traditions on the island). Also member of Healing Through Remembering Commemoration Sub-Committee
Other activities (1993-2000)
Monitoring disputed parades (1996-99), Co. Fermanagh (in conjunction with Enniskillen Together); peace vigils, rallies and books of condolences (1993-1998). preparation of reports, statements and papers; attendance at conferences etc. North and South; discussions/study groups; submissions to various bodies e.g. Forum for Peace and Reconciliation, the North Review Body on Parades
Acknowledgments: Meath Peace Group would like to thank all who have supported and encouraged our work since 1993. Special thanks are due to all who assisted in the planning, organisation, publicity and recording of the public talks, to our speakers, guest chairpersons and participants in the talks, to the Columban Fathers for permitting use of the facilities at Dalgan Park, to the Dept. of Foreign Affairs Reconciliation Fund for financial assistance towards the running costs of the public talks and school programmes, and to the principals, teaching staff and students of secondary schools in Meath who have taken part in our transition year peace studies programmes.
Meath Peace Group Managing Committee: John and Julitta Clancy, Parsonstown, Batterstown, Co. Meath; Anne Nolan, Gernonstown, Slane, Co. Meath; Rev. Canon John Clarke, Boyne Road, Navan, Co. Meath; Philomena Boylan-Stewart, Longwood, Co. Meath; Olive Kelly, Lismullen, Co. Meath; Leonie Rennicks, Ardbraccan, Co. Meath; Judith Hamill, Ross, Dunsany, Co. Meath; Vincent McDevitt, An Tobar, Ardbraccan, Co. Meath