Corrymeela About

Corrymeela

Our History

As Ray Davey watched from a prisoner of war camp the Allied firebombs that destroyed Dresden in 1945, he realised we all can succumb to hatred and violence when we accept a narrative of ‘us’ versus ‘them’. Changed by this experience and inspired by communities of ecumenical Christian faith around Europe, Ray and others founded The Corrymeela Community in 1965 as a way of building a more peaceful N. Ireland.   

During the conflict known as the Troubles, we welcomed people from different sides and provided a way for them to meet safely, have difficult conversations well and support one another. As we did so, we built a network of relationships based on trust and reconciliation. These relationships played a part in accelerating the N. Ireland peace process and inspiring people around the world to live out reconciliation in their daily lives. 

1965

Ballycastle Site Purchased & Political Conference November 1965.

1971

Coventry Cross of Nails presented to Corrymeela

1973

Playground opened in memory of Sean Armstrong

1979

Opening of The Croi.

1997

Niwano Peace Prize awarded to Corrymeela.

1998

Prince Charles opens the new Main House.

2005

Dalai Lama visits Corrymeela.

2011

Davey Village Opened.

2015

Celebrating fifty years of peacemaking.