Young people's Peace Plaque's unveiled at Enniskillen Castle

by Gráinne Connolly

The Chairman of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Stephen McCann, officially unveiled 56 peace pledges at Enniskillen Castle.

Young people attending 56 Primary, Post-Primary, Controlled, Maintained, Integrated, Irish Medium and Special Needs Schools in County Fermanagh composed the pledges, setting out their aspirations to respect, care for and value people of all races, creeds and colours, encouraging the pursuit of peace and prosperity.

(Reverend David Latimer, Councillor Stephen McCann, Chairman of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and representatives of some of the schools who participated in the Fermanagh Peace Pledges Project.)

The zinc plaques, each bearing a pledge to work towards peace and respect, have been affixed to a stone wall in the Castle Garden area, which was recently refurbished as part of the redevelopment of the Enniskillen Castle complex.

Speaking at the unveiling of the Peace Pledges, Councillor Stephen McCann said:

“These pledges are very touching as they are the thoughts and promises of so many young people across the Fermanagh area who want to live in an inclusive, peaceful society.

"It is clear that the lessons to be learned from our past are that mutual respect, tolerance and acceptance of others are essential to build the sort of community and society in which we all wish to live.

"The Castle Garden is an excellent location for the Peace Pledges project and I am confident that the many visitors to the Museum Complex, will stop and read these pledges and take away with them, the messages as expressions of hope and positivity.

"I would like to thank the pupils of the various schools for taking the time to share their hopes and aspirations for the future with the wider community and I would also like to thank the teachers for their time and guidance in developing the pledges.”

Speaking at the event on Thursday, Reverend David Latimer, the man behind the initiative said:

‘Young people have the power to forge a path of good hope into a brighter tomorrow. They can shine a new light on the path and help us all to see differently.'

Pupils from schools across Fermanagh attended the launch of the Peace Pledges at Enniskillen Castle.  

They were entertained by the Shared Education Choir from Enniskillen Model Primary School and St Patrick’s Primary School, Mullanaskea.  

Pupil representatives from the schools attending the launch read out their Peace Pledges.

Students involved in the Museum’s Peace Studies Programme from St. Michael’s College and Enniskillen Royal Grammar School read out the Peace Pledges from those schools unable to be present at the event.

The Fermanagh Peace Pledges project, which has been supported by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council's Good Relations Programme assisted by The Executive Office, was instigated by the Rev. David Latimer as part of a wider initiative involving schools across Northern Ireland.