a picture from "over the pond" ......

I just got this picture from the group, who are up at their Corrymeela stop for a few days. It's at the northern tip of Northern Ireland (near Ballycastle) - right on the Irish Sea. Click here for more information on the Corrymeela Community.

(NOTE: I highly recommend the Google MyMap link to the right of this page - for a look at all of their stops in Ireland (North and South) -- drag the map with your mouse and then use the + sign to zoom in.

Here's a picture of Ballycastle, taken by our group, from the vantage point of Corrymeela --- and these two posts just came in from two members of the Agape Singers:

"After an eternity of travel via plane and bus we have arrived in Ireland. We are staying at an exquisite peace center called Corrymeela. Words are unable to describe the glory.

-Jess Ferko


It is near incomprehensible to me how much of a person's life can be controlled simply by the desire to distinguish oneself from another group. I have had tremendous exposure to the way this happens among the Northern Irish, so I have been in total awe of the serenity here at Corrymeela. I have only been here a matter of hours, but I can't think of a more appropriate place to stay as so many of our group have their first encounter with the Northern Irish people.

-Harper Kidder

I will sum up the day:

After a few delays at DTW, we made it to Chicago and rushed on to our Aer Lingus flight to Dublin. We arrived at 8:30 am (GMT) = 3:30 am (EST). We boarded a bus driven by Aiden, and drove on the wrong side of the road up to Monasterboice near Drogheda. After this stop and a Northern Irish McDonald's stop, we made it to Ballycastle and Corrymeela. The views and the atmosphere are amazing as one can see in the photos. We can hear the sheep and crashing of the waves. The team leader at Corrymeela, Dave, is an extremely nice man from Belfast. He described the history of the Corrymeela peacemaking efforts during 'The Troubles' starting in the '60s. We are having a lot of tea and biscuits, and we are excitingly awaiting 'supper' (not to be confused with dinner) of hot chocolate and toast after devotionals led by Rev. Marianne.

Thanks again to all the people that made this trip possible.

WE ARE IN IRELAND!"

--Chris Smith