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New project to integrate Derry
‘blow-ins’
23.11.11
A PROJECT has been
launched to integrate Northerners who moved to
border villages in Co Donegal during the boom. The
project will run throughout 2012 and into the spring
of 2013 and will be focused on creating contact and
conversation and promoting participation in
Inishowen communities.
Some 60 people attended last week's launch,
including elected representatives, local community
groups and the Inishowen Development Partnership. |
With the project being
led by Donegal County Council good relations officer
Francis Conaghan, the IDP duo of Shauna McClenaghan
and Mary McCallion will lead the roll out here in
Inishowen.
“It is imperative for border communities that we get
Northern Ireland families who have moved here over
the last decade to integrate into the community at
every level possible,” said Francis Conaghan.
Census figures released earlier this year showed
that border villages like Bridgend, Burnfoot, Muff,
Quigley’s Point and Killea had recorded large
increases in population between 2006 and 2011. |
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Francis Conaghan |
Bridgend and Burnfoot
saw its population grow by nearly 30%.
Yet despite the substantial increase in population,
local schools, churches, community groups and sports
clubs have not seen evidence of it within their own
organisations.
“As the difficult economic climate holds its grip on
our people, it is more important now than ever
before that we pull together as a community and we
should encourage one another to get active in our
localities to help us to be positive and participate
in local community life,” Cllr Dessie Larkin,
chairman of the Donegal Peace and Reconciliation
Partnership told the launch at An Grianan Hotel,
Burt.
“Blow-ins have made a huge contribution everywhere,”
he added, saying he hoped that the same would happen
in these border villages. Meanwhile, Mayor Noel
McBride described it as a "wonderful project".
(Inishowen Independent) |
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