Blair hails cross-border peace project

British Prime Minister Tony Blair sent a personal message of praise today to a cross-border, cross-community peace project as it celebrated its 10th anniversary.

British Ambassador Stewart Eldon delivered Mr Blair’s congratulations during a ceremony in Bray to mark the Shankill/Shankill Project’s birthday.

The scheme has successfully brought together young people, regardless of religious background, from north and south of the border to take part in joint social activities and workshops.

As a part of the celebrations, the All Ireland Cross-Border Cross-Community Choir sang Mr Blair's choice of song – ‘The Green Fields of France’ - which he contributed to the Project’s Wall of Peace in 1997.

Mr Blair became involved in the project when he was contacted by a 14-year-old girl who asked him for his choice of citation or song for the project’s "Wall of Peace" exhibition in 1997.

“I would like to send my best wishes to the Shankill/Shankill project as it celebrates its 10th Anniversary today,” his personal message read.

“I remember well receiving a letter from Margaret Gibney in 1997 setting out her concerns for the future. We also met when she came to Downing Street.

“I hope that she has seen, as I have, real change for the better in Northern Ireland over the last seven years. She asked me then to choose a favourite song for the Wall of Peace project and I’m delighted that the choir is going to sing that song, ‘The Green Fields of France’.”

The celebrations, which also included an appearance by The Fureys, took place at St Brendan’s College, Woodbrook, Shankill, Co Dublin.

Mr Blair quoted Margaret Gibney’s letter in the Northern Ireland context at a summit meeting with President Clinton in 1997.

Mr Blair’s choice of song, "The Green Fields of France" was also used as a catalyst for the formation of the Cross-Border Cross-Community Choir.