Alf McCreary said that the book was also timely because ‘Nearly all of the major players in Corrymeela’s development are still around and they have enjoyed the benefit of having had time to reflect on the Community and on the part they played in its evolution. I am particularly delighted to have been able to talk to my old friends Ray and Kathleen Davey who played such a crucial role in Corrymeela, and to benefit still from their wisdom and experience.’

Mr McCreary said that a strong motive in writing the book was to tell the story in its full dimension. He said ‘Some people think that peace-making is easy, but in my experience it requires toughness and resolution, as well as sympathy and integrity. I have tried to underline this in my story of the development of Corrymeela. There is a hard edge to this work, and it needs to be shown as well ...’

Alf McCreary wrote the first book on Corrymeela more than 32 years ago. He said ‘It has been chastening to observe how the Community and I have changed during this time. I was honoured to write the first book on Corrymeela, and this will definitely be my last book on the Community. I was tempted to call it the ‘Alpha and Omega’ of Corrymeela but the title I have chosen more accurately reflects the story of the Community, In War and Peace.

Quote from In War and Peace’s foreword by Ray Davey:

The Community has learned much over the years, not least from our individual and collective failures, and yet I believe that Corrymeela has much still to teach others and to contribute to the wider world. I am confident that the Community will continue to show the faith, hope, determination and open-mindednesses which have marked out the journey so far, and which will enable it to make the best of the future.

Alf McCreary is the Religion Correspondent of the Belfast Telegraph, and also an award-winning journalist and author. He graduated from Queen’s University, Belfast with an honours degree in Modern History, and he is a part-time tutor in writing at the Institute of Lifelong Learning at Queen’s, and also at the Irish Writers’ Centre in Dublin. The first of his 35 titles Corrymeela – The search for peace was published in 1975. His recent books include the acclaimed biographies of Senator Gordon Wilson, published by Harper Collins, and Archbishop Robin Eames, Published by Hodder and Stoughton. He was appointed MBE in the 2004 New Year Honours List.

To pre order a copy of In War and Peace please contact info@corrymeela.org or tel 028 9050 8080 and speak to Bernie.  £8.99 +p&p