Ulster-Scots story to be told at new Co Monaghan ‘peace campus’

The head of the Ulster-Scots Agency has said he hopes a new multi-million euro ‘peace campus’ in Co Monaghan will herald the beginning of greater levels of support in the border region.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Apr 2019, 20:19 BST
Updated 29th Apr 2019, 20:23 BST
At the launch (from left) Keith Gamble, chairman, Ulster-Scots Agency, Ian Crozier, CEO, Ulster-Scots Agency, Heather Humphreys TD, David Maxwell, mayor of Monaghan County Council, Eamonn OSullivan, CEO Monaghan County Council, David Waller, Monaghan Orange OrderAt the launch (from left) Keith Gamble, chairman, Ulster-Scots Agency, Ian Crozier, CEO, Ulster-Scots Agency, Heather Humphreys TD, David Maxwell, mayor of Monaghan County Council, Eamonn OSullivan, CEO Monaghan County Council, David Waller, Monaghan Orange Order
At the launch (from left) Keith Gamble, chairman, Ulster-Scots Agency, Ian Crozier, CEO, Ulster-Scots Agency, Heather Humphreys TD, David Maxwell, mayor of Monaghan County Council, Eamonn OSullivan, CEO Monaghan County Council, David Waller, Monaghan Orange Order

A launch event for the new €14.5million Peace Campus was held today, just days after Monaghan County Council issued a tender for its construction.

The new campus – funded to the tune of €9.5 million by the EU’s Peace IV programme – is designed specifically to support and encourage cross-community engagement.

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The Ulster-Scots Agency has supported the council in its funding bid.

Speaking after the launch event, the agency’s chief executive Ian Crozier said: “The peace campus project will provide valuable shared space for the entire community in Co Monaghan.

“Importantly, however, it will also provide a dedicated space where the story of the minority Ulster-Scots community will be told.

“This will be the first time that Ulster-Scots identity will be recognised and celebrated in a public building in the Irish Republic.”

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Mr Crozier added: “We hope that this important milestone will be the foundation for much greater levels of support for the Ulster-Scots community in the Monaghan/Cavan border region and we look forward to working with Monaghan County Council to make it a reality.”

Eamonn O’Sullivan, chief executive of Monaghan County Council, said: “This project has been three years in the making and has seen new relationships formed with the Orange Order, Ulster-Scots Agency, and Muineachán Le Gaeilge, the first time this has happened in a Peace Programme in Co Monaghan.”

Related topics:Ulster