Project Children

A Special Evening for Cllr. Joe Carroll in West Cork

Join us in Skibbereen as we celebrate the life and legacy of the late Cllr. Joe Carroll and the extraordinary story of Project Children.

📅 Thursday, October 8
📍 Skibbereen Town Hall
⏰ 7:00 PM
🎟️ https://projectchildrenjoecarroll.eventbrite.com

Project Children, with the support of Cork County Council, invite the entire West Cork community to join us for a special screening of the award-winning documentary How to Defuse a Bomb: The Project Children Story.

Joe Carroll was a proud supporter of Project Children in recent years and a great friend to many involved in the program. This evening will be an opportunity to remember Joe alongside his family, celebrate his contribution, and reflect on the lasting impact Project Children has had on so many lives.

The screening will also mark the beginning of a week of events celebrating the Project Children legacy, culminating in the launch of Project Children: The Legacy, authored by Jane Buckley Oakleaf Press, at Monaghan Peace Campus on October 13.

Whether you knew Joe, were part of Project Children, supported its work, or simply want to learn more about this remarkable story, we would love to welcome you.

Everyone is welcome. Please join us for an evening of remembrance, reflection and community.

What a great day for the 45th Annual The Great Irish Fair of New York today, Saturday, September 12, 2026! ☘️

Well done to all the honorees, and a huge congratulations to Dr. James McLaughlin, recipient of the 2026 Chief Brehon Award. A very well-deserved recognition! ☘️🇮🇪

Congratulations, Dr. Jim, and enjoy this special day celebrating Irish heritage and community! 🇮🇪☘

It is with great sadness that the Project Children family learned of the passing of Margaret "Peggy" Donnelly O'Beirne.

Peggy was a devoted supporter and advocate for Project Children throughout the Washington, DC area for many years. She believed deeply in our mission and worked tirelessly to support the friendships and connections that Project Children has fostered between Northern Ireland and the United States.

A familiar face to many participants, Peggy travelled to Derry many times to volunteer at the Soccer Camp at St Columb's Park House, giving generously of her time, energy and encouragement to the young people and families involved. Her warmth, kindness and unwavering commitment left a lasting impression on all who had the privilege of knowing her.

We extend our deepest sympathies to her family and friends and thank them for sharing Peggy with the Project Children family for so many years.

In keeping with her lifelong commitment to Project Children, her family has requested that contributions in lieu of flowers be made to the Mulcahy Scholarship at Project Children. https://projectchildren.org/scholarship

Rest in peace, Peggy. You will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all of us at Project Children. Your legacy lives on in the countless lives you touched and the friendships you helped foster across the Atlantic.

Obituary information for Margaret "Peggy" Donnelly O'Beirne View Margaret "Peggy" Donnelly O'Beirne's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

Well, this was a lovely Friday surprise! Thanks to at Storylane PR and at The Irish Times.

Project Children: The Legacy has been featured in The Irish Times, telling the story of the extraordinary initiative that brought more than 23,000 Catholic and Protestant children from Northern Ireland to the United States during the Troubles.

After more than four years of research, interviews and gathering photographs, it means so much to see the book and, most importantly, the voices of the children, parents, volunteers and American host families who lived this remarkable story, recognised in this way.

The book will be launched at Monaghan Peace Campus on 13 October, followed by Belfast on 14 October and Derry on 15 October, 2026.

Thank you to The Irish Times for helping us preserve and share the legacy of Project Children.

Read the feature here:
https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/2026/08/21/culture-night-dublins-literary-highlights/

Find out more or pre-order:
https://oakleafpress.co.uk/the-project-children-legacy/

I met with Kevin Brady recently (pictured on the right), one of the very first children who travelled to America as part of the Project Children programme way back in 1975.

We got talking about growing up during the Troubles and how, no matter how many years you've lived away or where life takes you, there's a strange feeling when you walk back through the streets where you grew up. In many ways, you become that child again.

You can spend decades building a life elsewhere, yet find yourself standing on a street and instantly remember how it felt to be there all those years ago. There are areas you avoided as a child that can still bring old fears back to the surface. I'm still amazed after all this time that you feel out of sorts, and before long, I'm looking for the quickest way out.

A message to the generations coming behind us. Embrace the freedom and safety you have. Please, never take it for granted.

Many children grew up against a backdrop of bomb scares, shootings, army checkpoints and fear. Thankfully, today's young people don't know that life, and long may that continue.

Kevin, it was a delight to meet you, and I look forward to hearing your story in your own words.