Friday April 3rd proved to be an exciting and
historic day for Corrymeela when Irish President Mary McAleese officially
opened a new £1.4m residential centre in Ballycastle-one which more than 7,500
international volunteers over the next 30 years will call "home".
“Coventry” building provides energy-efficient lodging
for both local and international volunteers at Corrymeela. Not only will it offer new opportunities and support
for a wide array of programmes and comfort for the staff at the Centre, but the
new accommodation also expands and builds upon the community’s wish of
“creating safe
spaces where people of diverse backgrounds can come and meet each other, where
there is an atmosphere of trust and acceptance and where differences can
be acknowledged, explored and accepted”.
Leader of the Corrymeela
Community Dr. David Stevens said, “We want the new Coventry House to be an
international place of sharing with
others and with the volunteers, who are vital to the life and continued work of
Corrymeela. We are grateful to all our funders and donors who have generously
funded this building that will now allow us to offer more volunteering
opportunities to a more diverse group of
people.”
The International Fund for
Ireland contributed £1m to the capital build (delivered through the Northern
Ireland Rural Development Council); while the Community Relations Council,
which administers measure 2.1 (Reconciliation for Sustainable Peace) of the EU
Peace II programme, awarded over £250,000 and Ulster Garden Villages Ltd
charitable trust granted an additional £100,000. The remainder of the funding
was raised by Corrymeela.
Denis Rooney, CBE, Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland, said: “The Fund for Ireland has
been a long term supporter of the Corrymeela Community and as such is delighted
to have contributed £1m to its new residential centre and in turn support the
vital contribution made by the volunteers every year. The project forms an
important part of the Fund’s Leaving a Legacy strand of work which aims to make
a long term contribution to peace building and integration on the Island of Ireland.”
The opening of this fresh, contemporary residential centre marks the end of
phase one of Corrymeela’s building project. The final phase includes the
building of a new £2.2m village complex which will provide modern group
accommodation for the many groups that stay at Corrymeela each year.
