In celebration of Good Relations Week 2024 and its ‘OpportUNITY’ theme, Lurgan Library is hosting a Traditional Music Session that brings together Ulster-Scots and Comhaltas Clanbrassil musicians. This event offers a unique opportunity to experience shared musical traditions and explore the rich cultural tapestry of our region. By embracing these shared tunes, we reflect the week’s focus on unity and cultural diversity, celebrating how music can bridge divides and foster positive community relations.
Council Area: Armagh City Banbridge & Craigavon
Practitioners’ Meet-up & Mural Celebration
The Practitioners’ Meet-up is hosted by the Jethro Centre, Lurgan on the third Thursday of each month. This is a chance for those working with grass-roots organisations and community contexts in the Lurgan area to meet up with fellow practitioners , network, or simply “catch their breath” from their busy schedules. There is always coffee/ tea and cake.
This month, as part of GRW, the invitation is extended, as we celebrate the recent installation of our new mural, “Diversity Tapestry”, which marks the 20th anniversary of Shankill Parish Caring Association (SPCA). The mural was designed through a short series of workshops by Community Arts Partnership led by artist/facilitator Visual Waste. It is a mosaic of images that represents the people and activities of Jethro Centre.
The event runs between 3.30pm-5pm and attendees can drop in or stay for the full time. All are welcome.
Ulster GAA Club Engagement Programme
Ulster GAA’s Club Engagement Programme will bring young people aged 14-16 years old from a range of GAA clubs together for a four week coaching programme. Each week participants will receive 90 minutes of GAA coaching followed by a 30 minutes of workshop engagement with statutory public bodies and external organisations with differing themes, each promoting community safety.
Ulster GAA School Engagement Programme
Ulster GAA’s School Engagement Programme provides workshops for teachers from non-traditional GAA schools on the topic of values-based coaching.
Teachers will then assist in the delivery of a 6-week programme of GAA coaching to pupils aged 11-18 years old. During this programme it is hoped that pupils will gain a greater understanding of the GAA and its values, as well as challenging any perceptions participants previously had of the association and its membership. Interested participants will be signposted to the open and inclusive GAA club’s network.
Cuchulainn Initiative: Lurgan Cuchulainns Celebration Event
A group of girls from Lurgan created lifetime memories in July when, as part of their involvement in Ulster GAA’s Cúchulainn Initiative, they travelled to London to represent their schools and town in the All-Britain Competition (ABC Games).
The Cúchulainn Initiative is Ulster GAA’s flagship cross community programme which brings together young people from different community backgrounds through Gaelic Games. The Lurgan Cúchulainn’s, consisting of girls from Lurgan Junior High School, Brownlow Integrated College, and St Ronan’s College, took part in the U16 Girls Competition. Despite being a team made-up of players who had little or no experience playing Gaelic games, the group represented themselves with distinction showing some incredible skills, passion, and teamwork as they came up against established clubs in Britain.
In recognition of their engagement in this programme the group will be hosted for a reception with the Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council on Tuesday 19th September.
Family Fun Day!
Get the date in your diary, round up the family and prepare to have the best day at the fabulous free family fun day taking place in Lurgan Park on Saturday 23rd September, noon to 4pm!
This event is to celebrate Good Relations week and will have a wide variety activities for everyone to enjoy! With inflatables, soft play bus, nerf wars, forest schools, balloon modelling, face painting and more, this will be a day to remember!
The theme of Good Relations Week 2023 is ‘Together’ and how togetherness can make a difference to breaking down barriers and building more inclusive communities. It will also continue to build upon the progress already achieved in pursuit of empowering change within our communities.
So why not come along with family and friends and enjoy some quality time on Saturday afternoon, ‘together’ in Lurgan Park!
Register to attend here: https://form.jotform.com/232502002257340
Shared? On Tour 2023
Belfast based theatre company Partisan Productions, in partnership with Clanmil Housing has developed a forum theatre show called Shared? Based on the success of last years show it is now on tour!
Shared? follows a colourful cast of characters living in and near a shared housing development where a rumour has been circulating and the local Neighbourhood App has taken a definite turn for the odd. Partisan invite audiences to ‘meet these neighbours, from different countries, classes and cultures as their worlds begin to combine and collide’.
The Living Room
The Living Room is a friendly safe space for conversation, a laugh, a good cry – whatever is needed! Enjoy a cup of tea and biscuits or a cake. We will be reminiscing about our favourite neighbours past and present.
Celebration of 30 years
Shankill Parish Caring Association – SPCA is 30years and to celebrate The Jethro Centre are holding a Celebration day with Bouncy Castle, Face Painting and visit from Ice cream van. We shall also be showcasing the user groups in the centre from Speech; Drama, Art; Crafts, Pickleball; other sports. With performances from Lynsey Allen Ballet school, Musical society; much more!
Funding Information Fairs
County Armagh Community Development (CACD) are holding two funding and information fairs in the month of September, to which all the community is invited.
The funding and information fairs are being held in Armagh Orange Hall, Armagh, on Monday 18th September and in the Millennium Court, Portadown on Thursday 28th September.
The charities, funding organisations, and support networks present will be able to advise and give information about the very valuable service they provide, to those interested groups and individuals who attend.