Event Category: Announcement

Opening of Black Mountain Shared Space

A new £7m shared community building has opened in west Belfast as part of events to mark Good Relations Week.

More than 70m (230ft) of peace wall was removed to make way for the Black Mountain Shared Space at the former Finlay’s factory on the Ballygomartin Road. Funded by the EU’s Peace IV programme, Stormont’s Department for Communities and the Republic’s Department of Rural and Community Development, the building will provide services for residents and hold a range activities.

Belfast City Council (BCC), the lead partner in the project, also provided funding. BCC, the Black Mountain Shared Space Project, the NI Housing Executive and Dublin’s Northside Partnership have all been involved in the construction of the building. Stormont Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said Wednesday’s opening is the “culmination of the many years of cross-community engagement”.

Shared Island Youth Forum Outcome Statement

The Shared Island Youth Forum’s Outcome Statement, setting out their vision and values for a shared future on the island of Ireland, was launched by the Taoiseach Simon Harris TD on 20 September 2024 at an event in Dublin Castle.

The Forum brought together 80 young people aged 18 to 25 from across the island, who met over the next year to develop a statement of their vision and values for a shared future on the island of Ireland.