Minister Dermot Ahern to visit Derry

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Dermot Ahern T.D., will travel to Derry tomorrow, 4 February.

The Minister will visit a number of community projects, a number of which are supported by the Government's Reconciliation Fund, which is administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

During his visit the Minister will meet with local groups at the Ráth Mór Centre in Creggan . He will also visit St Columb's Cathedral, and the Cathedral Youth Project in the Fountain Estate. 

Minister Ahern will also attend a reception in the Guildhall hosted by the Mayor of Derry, Councillor Gearóid Ó hEára, and will meet with local politicians.

There will be a media opportunity in the Guildhall at c. 5 pm.

Note for Editors

- The Ráth Mór Centre is a community based organization established to assist in the socio-economic regeneration of the Creggan area. It has received just under £1.5m since 1991 from the International Fund for Ireland.

- The Minister will meet with members of the Creggan Youth Drop-In Centre, a voluntary group, operating from the Creggan Neighbourhood Partnership Centre, and catering for up to 150 young people in the area.  The Centre offers a secure and safe environment for recreational and educational activities including social evenings; training courses; personal development courses; and sporting events. Many of the activities provided include a cross-community element.  In recognition of this, the Centre was awarded grant-aid of €25,000 from the Reconciliation Fund in December 2004. 

- Minister Ahern will also meet with members of Creggan Country Park Enterprises Ltd., a not-for-profit organisation established to develop a green space resource for the community and to help regenerate the area.  This initiative was granted funding of €25,000 from the Reconciliation Fund in December 2004 for their 'Reaching Out' project, which aims to secure greater cross community and cross border participation in the facility. 

-     St. Columb's Cathedral is the oldest building (still in use) in Derry.  It received £100,000 from the Reconciliation Fund in 2001 towards the restoration of the Cathedral's organ. The Cathedral hosts year-round services and musical events, which all sections of the community are encouraged to attend.

- The Cathedral Youth Project for Learning and Development offers educational projects and leisure activities for youth, which aim to promote responsible citizenship and good community relations. It received a total of €23,500 from the Reconciliation Fund in 2002 and 2003.

The following are some elements of the programme:

14.00 Arrival at City of Derry Airport

14.45 Arrival at Ráth Mór Centre

15.35 Arrival at St. Columb's Cathedral

16.10 Reception in the Guildhall

17.00 Media opportunity in the Guildhall

This programme is subject to change.

+++ENDS
3 February 2005
Press Office