The county town of Fermanagh has been participating in the Ulster Project since 1989, and currently sends young people to Cincinnati, Ohio & Madison, Indiana each year. Selecting teens from the town's Secondary School's, the Project's participants come from across County Fermanagh and parts of Tyrone.
Enniskillen and County Fermanagh suffered their fair share of dark days during "The Troubles", especially the 8th November 1987. The event of that day, known as the "Remembrance Day Bombing", saw 12 people killed and over 60 injured when the annual ceremony remembering British military war dead was targeted by the IRA. The bombing tore apart many families, but brought the community of Enniskillen and Fermanagh together in a way not seen in many other parts of Northern Ireland, the close-knit rural communities of Fermanagh were different from those elsewhere. There is no better portrayal of this than in the actions of Gordon Wilson, who's daughter Marie died that day. In a media interview after the bombing, in an almost superhuman display of Christian charity and forgiveness he said, "I bear no ill will. I bear no grudge." Gordon Wilson's victory over bitterness and retaliation displayed another side to what had become a 'tit-for-tat' war of reprisal and revenge killings by those on the different sides of the political divide.
The Enniskillen Ulster Project is run and organised by a very small number of volunteers, recruitment normally begins towards the end of October every year with young people being selected by mid December. The participants and their leaders meet then at least once a week from January until departure at the end of June. Along with day trips, an overnight residential retreat and social gatherings these meetings allow time and space for the young people to get to know themselves and each other, and also to prepare and learn about how they will spend their month together in the United States. These meetings are complemented by regular fundraising events and activities, allowing families and teens (past and present) and the wider community to support the Project and the young participants.
Enniskillen and County Fermanagh suffered their fair share of dark days during "The Troubles", especially the 8th November 1987. The event of that day, known as the "Remembrance Day Bombing", saw 12 people killed and over 60 injured when the annual ceremony remembering British military war dead was targeted by the IRA. The bombing tore apart many families, but brought the community of Enniskillen and Fermanagh together in a way not seen in many other parts of Northern Ireland, the close-knit rural communities of Fermanagh were different from those elsewhere. There is no better portrayal of this than in the actions of Gordon Wilson, who's daughter Marie died that day. In a media interview after the bombing, in an almost superhuman display of Christian charity and forgiveness he said, "I bear no ill will. I bear no grudge." Gordon Wilson's victory over bitterness and retaliation displayed another side to what had become a 'tit-for-tat' war of reprisal and revenge killings by those on the different sides of the political divide.
The Enniskillen Ulster Project is run and organised by a very small number of volunteers, recruitment normally begins towards the end of October every year with young people being selected by mid December. The participants and their leaders meet then at least once a week from January until departure at the end of June. Along with day trips, an overnight residential retreat and social gatherings these meetings allow time and space for the young people to get to know themselves and each other, and also to prepare and learn about how they will spend their month together in the United States. These meetings are complemented by regular fundraising events and activities, allowing families and teens (past and present) and the wider community to support the Project and the young participants.
To find out more about The Enniskillen Ulster Project,
check out their website, social media accounts or send them an email:
check out their website, social media accounts or send them an email: