The launch of the Sligo PEACEPLUS Co-designed Local Community PEACE Action Plan took place in City Hall on Thursday 15th May 2025.
Launch of the Sligo PEACEPLUS Co-designed Local Community PEACE Action Plan
Deputy Dara Calleary Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Gina McIntyre, Chief Executive, Special European Union Programmes Body (SEUPB), Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Cllr Declan Bree, Kerry McFerran NI Executive
The plan is a project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), and it was awarded funding of €3.604 million.
Delivered by Sligo County Council, the action plan will see the implementation of a diverse range of projects that address local challenges and promote peace and prosperity across County Sligo and with cross-border participation from now until the Summer of 2028.
The Sligo PEACEPLUS Action Plan was developed after an extensive consultation process led by Sligo County Council. Using the co-design process local groups were consulted to identify and address specific needs within the Sligo County Council area.
This resulted in the development of 15 projects across three themes and will comprise of four capital investment projects, eight capacity-building initiatives and three cultural and social inclusion programmes.
These projects support peaceful and thriving communities and seek to enhance community integration and cohesion within the three themes of Community Regeneration and Transformation; Thriving and Peaceful Communities; and Celebrating Cultural Diversity.
The event was addressed by Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Councillor Declan Bree, Minister for Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary, First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly of the Northern Ireland Executive, Gina McIntyre, Chief Executive of the SEUPB, Cllr Donal Gilroy, Chair of the Local Community Development Committee and PEACEPLUS Partnership, and guest speaker Kirstie McLeod, Artist and Creator of the International Red Dress Project.
The event commenced with the Cathaoirleach welcoming attendees who travelled from Sligo and beyond to join the launch of the PEACEPLUS project.
Minister Dara Calleary said:
"I want to thank everyone who contributed to the development of Sligo County Council's PEACEPLUS Co-Designed Local Action Plan. Recently this initiative received approval for funding of more than €3.603 million from the PEACEPLUS programme.
“I commend the Hawk's Well Theatre, Mayo Sligo Leitrim Educational Training Board, the PEACEPLUS Partnership and Sligo County Council for creating and implementing this action plan. In my view, the 15 regional community relations projects funded by this plan will encourage more regular and significant cross-community and cross-border interactions and will play a major role in the long-term peacebuilding of County Sligo and the border region.
“I am delighted that my Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, together with the Special EU Programmes Body and the Executive Office in Northern Ireland, will provide support for this outstanding action plan. The successful execution of this plan will secure long-term benefits for the area.”
First Minister Michelle O’Neill said:
“Sligo County Council’s PEACEPLUS Action Plan is an important initiative that will help strengthen community bonds and promote understanding across our region. This programme represents our shared commitment to building a more inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous future for everyone. It is through collaboration and unity that we continue to break down barriers and create lasting change. I commend everyone involved for their dedication to this important work and look forward to witnessing the positive impact it will have on communities across Sligo and beyond.”
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said:
“The launch of Sligo County Council’s PEACEPLUS initiative marks another step forward in fostering peace, connections, and shared prosperity. This programme offers a unique opportunity to strengthen community ties, promote inclusion, and build on the progress made towards lasting peace. It is a testament to what can be achieved when people come together with a common goal. I want to congratulate everyone involved in developing this Action Plan and look forward to seeing how it can help shape a better future for all.”
SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said:
“The continued momentum for peace, trust and a pathway to prosperity simply cannot be sustained without committed engagement at a local level.
“Through PEACEPLUS, a total of 17 local councils across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland will play a critically important role in administering much-needed funding through their respective Local Community Action Plans directly at the grass roots.
“I would like to congratulate Sligo County Council for presenting these exciting plans, and all those who helped design them. The work is truly representative of our required approach for a plan that is co-created with the local community, so ensuring that the projects supported reflective and responsive to local needs and challenges.
“There is no organisation, and no group of people, better equipped to lead on this local engagement than the local council authority and its team, and we look forward to watching the impact these projects will have.”
Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Councillor Declan Bree said:
"We have all benefited from peace in Northern Ireland and PEACEPLUS now provides County Sligo with a further opportunity to continue the work of peacebuilding, joining with people North and South in continuing to contribute to a peaceful region and island.”
Chair of Sligo LCDC and the Sligo PEACEPLUS Partnership, Cllr. Dónal Gilroy remarked that:
“This is great occasion for County Sligo. The PEACEPLUS funding will support people to interact with, share and learn from each other. I encourage everyone to take part in the projects as they roll out. It will be a rewarding experience with a long-lasting legacy.”
In association with today’s launch, Sligo County Council and its PEACEPLUS Partnership was delighted to welcome Artist Ms Kirstie McLeod and her Internationally Renowned Red Dress Embroidery Project.
The award-winning Red Dress has 87 panels embroidered over 16 years by 380 people in 51 countries, including Ireland. Aimed initially to unite people globally across borders and boundaries The Red Dress Project evolved and became an opportunity for marginalised voices to self – express through art, prompting conversations on important and frequently uncomfortable issues. This was seen by the Council as a perfect match for the outcomes of Sligo PEACEPLUS Co-designed Local Community Peace Action Plan.
Having been exhibited in major galleries and museums worldwide the appearance of The Red Dress at the Sligo PEACEPLUS launch is its first visit to Ireland. The exhibition was open to visitors at Sligo’s City Hall from 9 am – 5 pm Monday 12th May to Thursday 15th May (admission free).
Speaking at the launch, Artist Kirstie McLeod told assembled guests about her experiences facilitating project participation with communities who face marginalisation and exclusion.
The event was well supported by local Community Groups, Project Partners and Associate Partner and enjoyed by all who attended.
