Autumn Programme of Events – Coming Soon Oct 2026
About Project Children
In 1975, Belfast was one of the most bombed cities in the world. For many children, life was shaped by fear and division. Meanwhile, in Greenwood Lake, New York, two Irish brothers, Denis and Pat Mulcahey, had a simple idea: to bring six children from Northern Ireland to America for six weeks of peace, friendship and fun. Boys and girls. Catholics and Protestants. Away from the violence of The Troubles, they could experience swimming, baseball, hills and lakes instead of bombings and conflict. From those first six children, Project Children grew to welcome more than 23,000 young people from across Northern Ireland, creating friendships and understanding that would last a lifetime.
A Cultural Partnership
In October 2025, to mark the 50th anniversary of Project Children, Monaghan County Council, through its cultural partnership with Project Children, launched The Project Children Stories exhibition and permanent archive. Through personal memories, photographs, artefacts and recorded testimonies, the exhibition celebrates the experiences, friendships and lasting legacy of the children who travelled through the programme—children who swam together, ran together, learned together and, ultimately, made peace together. Visitors are invited to experience this remarkable story for themselves at Monaghan County Museum, where the exhibition continues to preserve and share the enduring legacy of Project Children for future generations.
Autumn Programme of Events – Coming Soon
The story of Project Children continues this autumn with a special programme of events celebrating the organisation’s enduring legacy of friendship, understanding and peace-building. A key highlight will be the launch of a new Project Children book, bringing together former participants, host families and supporters to reflect on 50 years of shared stories and lasting connections. The programme will also include talks, documentary screenings, community conversations and special museum events. See key highlights below.
Full programme details, timings and booking information will be announced in the coming weeks.
Saturday 10th October – Community Day: A Place for Everyone
Join us at the Peace Campus where the Museum, Library and Youth & Community Services are providing a for a fun-filled day of discovery, creativity and cultural celebration. Designed for all ages, the programme features live music and dance, interactive exhibitions, community arts activities, virtual reality experiences, storytelling, theatre and hands-on heritage experiences. There will also be a dedicated sensory room for anyone who wants a little quiet time.
Highlights include a virtual reality tour of Rossmore Castle, Ulster-Scots music and dance performances. Visitors can also explore the Bealtaine mosaic exhibition, enjoy documentary screenings, and take part in activities that celebrate the rich cultures, stories and traditions that connect our communities.
Sunday 11th October – Documentary Screening
Join us in Castleblayney, for a special screening of How to Defuse a Bomb, a powerful documentary exploring peace-building, reconciliation and the human stories behind conflict resolution. The screening offers an opportunity to reflect on themes of conflict, community and understanding, followed by community engagement activities and discussion.
Monday 12th October – Theatre and Welcome Events
The programme features a special welcome dinner for visiting guests from the United States, alongside four performances of The Unfinished Broadside at the Peace Campus, offering audiences a powerful exploration of history, identity and community.
This year America marks its 250th anniversary, the Unfinished Broadside is a large-scale theatrical production blending drama, music, and dance that explores how Scotland and Ireland shaped the birth of America. Written by Jonathan Burges, the time-traveling performance follows John Dunlap—the Strabane-born printer—as he races to print the Declaration of Independence in 1776. This stunning piece of theatre and drama will have a one-night show at the Peace Campus as part of the legacy events.
Tuesday 13th October – Book Launch and Celebration of the Project Children Legacy
The final day of the programme centres on the launch of a new Project Children book, a landmark publication capturing the stories, memories and enduring impact of the initiative over the past 50 years. Hosted at the Peace Campus, the event will bring together Project Children participants, supporters and special guests for an evening of reflection, storytelling and celebration. The day’s programme also includes guided tours of The Project Children Stories exhibition, documentary screenings, an NYPD Gaelic Football Club exhibition match in Clones, and special visits from NYPD representatives, highlighting the deep connections forged through Project Children across generations and continents.
Highlights of the Events Marking the Project Children 50th Anniversary in County Monaghan
