Autumn Programme of Events – 10th -13th October 2026
Join us this autumn for a special series of Project Children events celebrating a legacy of understanding, friendship and peace. Delivered through the cultural partnership between Monaghan County Council and Project Children, the programme features documentary screenings, theatre performances, community conversations and the launch of a new Project Children book. Building on the success of last year’s 50th anniversary celebrations, these events continue to share the stories, friendships and lasting connections that have touched generations on both sides of the Atlantic.
Saturday 10th October
A Place for Everyone – Community Day at the Peace Campus
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 at Iontas Theatre, Castleblayney, 6.30pm
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. Presented in association with Blayney Blades, the screening offers an opportunity to reflect on themes of conflict, community and understanding, followed by discussion and community engagement.
Monday 12th October
The Unfinished Broadside Performance, The Peace Campus, 7.30pm
Join us at the Peace Campus for a special performance of The Unfinished Broadside, a powerful theatrical production that explores history, identity and community through drama, music and dance.
As America marks its 250th anniversary, this acclaimed production examines the Irish and Scottish influences on the birth of the United States. Written by Jonathan Burgess, the story follows John Dunlap, the Strabane-born printer who raced to produce the first copies of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Blending historical storytelling with contemporary theatre, The Unfinished Broadside promises a captivating evening and a unique highlight of the Project Children legacy events programme.
Tuesday 13th October
Book Launch and Celebration of the Project Children Legacy
1pm Clones – NYPD Gaelic Football Club Exhibition Match at St. Tiernach’s Park
Not to be missed is a unique NYPD Gaelic Football Club Exhibition Match in Clones, where the NYPD team will take on a selection of local Monaghan personalities in what promises to be a memorable and entertaining occasion.
4.30pm onwards – Project Children Book Launch and Signings
The final stage 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.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to enjoy guided tours of The Project Children Stories exhibition, meet author Jane Buckley at a special book signing, and connect with visiting NYPD representatives, highlighting the enduring friendships and transatlantic connections fostered through Project Children across generations
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..
Highlights of the Events Marking the Project Children 50th Anniversary in County Monaghan
