As part of the Connecting Communities project funded by IFI, Enterprise Causeway recently brought a group of forty people from a number of local community groups across Causeway Coast and Glens to Rathmullan for a jam packed day of activities.
The groups involved include: Cloughmills, Cullybackey, Bushmills, Portballintrae, Magilligan, Cushedndal as well as a few of the Glen’s Men.
The cross community and cross border trip was an opportunity for the group to visit the coastal village of Rathmullan to see the Inch Mile Swim event in action, and meet local artists Moira McHugh from Perfectly Thrifted Interiors and coastal artist, Lisa McGill.
They also dropped into Rathmullan Makers’ Market which showcases a wide range of local handmade art/crafts.
They then travelled onto the Ray Community Centre for lunch followed by storytelling by skilled blacksmith, stonemason, bladesmith, artist and Sheanachi, Charlie Gallagher as well as music with local singer/songwriter Maria McCormack.
Many in the group were paying their first visit to Rathmullan, and indeed to Donegal, and by the end of the day’s activities there was a definite commitment to make further visits. This is very much in keeping with the objectives of the Connecting Communities project which pledges to support regions and communities in need of particular attention as a result of historical isolation, under-investment, and the impact of both the conflict and Brexit.
Day trips, such as the recent Rathmullan outing, are one of the many projects to help deal with barriers arising as a result of the border and that promote good relations on a cross-border basis.
The positive feedback from the visitors indicated that further Donegal day trips would be welcomed on an on-going basis.
