01 Nov 2014

The Corrymeela Community is delighted to announce the appointment of Pádraig Ó Tuama as its new leader. Padraig brings a wealth of experience from his work in poetry, theology and conflict transformation around the world.

The Rev Ray Davey founded Northern Ireland’s oldest Peace and Reconciliation Community in 1965.  Along with a group of students from Queens University he established a residential centre in Ballycastle where people of all faiths, political opinions and backgrounds could come together to meet and learn from each other.

Pádraig will work closely with Executive Director Colin Craig and the staff team to run programmes of respite, encounter, dialogue and reflective learning for the 11,000 visitors that come through the Ballycastle Centre each year. He will represent Corrymeela in current public debates and build relationships with church and faith communities in Northern Ireland and beyond.

For nearly 50 years the Corrymeela Community has promoted peace building and reconciliation from a Christian faith perspective. Current divisions within society reinforce the importance of that work. Members of the Community are delighted that Pádraig has accepted our invitation to be our new Leader. Pádraig has the skills and experience to build on the work of previous Leaders as we seek to fulfill our vision of embracing difference, healing division and enabling reconciliation.

John Hunter, Chairman of the Corrymeela Council

Padraig will bring great vision and experience to Corrymeela and I am very excited about working alongside him. In the current political impasse in Northern Ireland the principles of inclusion, dialogue and respect are needed now more than ever as we build a shared future for all our people.

Colin Craig Executive Director of Corrymeela