A series of events are set to take place in Monaghan town to mark the 50th anniversary of a peace-building initiative that saw young people given a summer holiday respite in the US to escape the Troubles.
Founded in 1975 by NYPD bomb squad officer Denis Mulcahy and his brother Pat, Project Children brought over 23,000 young people from across Northern Ireland to spend summers with host families across the US.
At the height of the Troubles, the initiative offered young people, both Catholic and Protestant, a temporary escape from conflict, and the opportunity to experience peace, understanding and friendship in a neutral environment.
The cross-community and cross-border programme continues today as an intern programme for young college students.
Ahead of the 50th anniversary milestone, Project Children previously formed a "cultural partnership" with Monaghan County Council and the Peace Campus in Monaghan town.
Those involved have said this collaboration will see the "protection, preservation and perpetuation" of the charity's legacy while also allowing it to showcase its archive of memorabilia.
A series of events will take place in Monaghan town today to mark 50 years of the programme’s existence, including the official opening of a special exhibition at Monaghan County Museum.
Project Children Stories will see photographs, personal testimonies and video footage - documenting five decades of the grassroots peace-building initiative - go on public display.
The exhibition will feature the story of Bernadette McDonnell, daughter of hunger striker Joe McDonnell, as well as Colin Caughey, now Director of Public Policy at the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, who credits the programme with shaping his approach to life.
The co-founder of Project Children, Denis Mulcahy, will be in Monaghan town for the occasion.
Meanwhile, several of those who travelled to the US during the Troubles as part of the programme will be reunited with their host families today.
This evening, the Garda Band will join the NYPD Police Band for a historic march, leaving the Courthouse Square at 5pm and leading a parade to the Peace Campus, where Monaghan County Museum is located.
Mr Mulcahy, who emigrated to the US in the 1960s before becoming a bomb disposal officer at the New York City Police Department, has said today’s events are about remembering the programme’s 50 years but also ensuring it continues into the future.
He said: "It’s a true honour to see the Project Children exhibition housed at the Monaghan Peace Campus. It feels especially fitting that the story of the programme, and of all those who shaped it, is being preserved in a place so deeply connected to the values we stood for.
"Marking 50 years is not only about reflection, but also about ensuring that the lessons, friendships, and legacy of Project Children continue to inspire future generations. I’m proud to partner with Monaghan County Council and the Monaghan County Museum on this meaningful initiative," Mr Mulcahy added.
Barra Best, who is now a senior weather presenter with BBC, has said spending the summer of 1992 with his host family in New Jersey gave him memories he still "treasures today".
He said: "Project Children was more than just a summer away from home; it was a bridge of hope, showing us that friendship and understanding could overcome the divisions we grew up with.
"That experience shaped me in ways I’ll never forget, and I carry it with pride and gratitude to this day," he added.
The Chief Executive of Monaghan County Council, Robert Burns has said the exhibition Project Children Stories stands as a testament to the vital role cultural exchange plays in building peace.
He said: "Monaghan County Council is proud to collaborate with our partners in the United States to honour this remarkable legacy and inspire future generations through shared history and human connection."
Meanwhile, speaking ahead of the exhibition launch, Liam Bradley, Curator of Monaghan County Museum, said the "powerful testimonies" featured in Project Children Stories "struck a chord" with him.
He said: "Each narrative reflects the resilience, hope, and quiet strength that can emerge from even the most divided of times. It’s an honour to bring these voices to light - especially here at the Peace Campus, where our mission is rooted in reconciliation and understanding."
