Derry Journal, Friday, 12th March, 2004 Section One - Page 3

CeItic Peace Garden at Muff

‘Oasis of peace’ to be built on Derry-Donegal

border

WORK IS ready to begin on an innovative ‘Celtic Peace Garden’ located on the

Derry-Donegal border. The first sod will be turned at the Derryvane site, on the outskirts of Muff, on St. Patrick’s Day.

The Celtic Peace Garden, which is the brainchild of the Columba Community, aims to “rekindle Ireland’s Golden Age for locals and visitors alike.” In this latest venture, the Columba Community is joined by St. Canice’s Church (Church of Ireland) Eglinton, who have, in recent years, been working together on the project.

The eight-acre site aims to become an oasis of peace inspired by the characteristics that made Ireland’s saints famous throughout Europe and beyond from the 6th to the 12th century. Rev. Neal Carlin, Director of the Columba Community, says the peace garden, and associated workshops and tea rooms, will serve two main purposes.

“Firstly, it will provide a place where people can come and take time out and meditate, helping them in the now growing quest for spiritual renewal.

“The garden will focus •on the characteristics of Celtic spirituality - a warm welcome, a degree of pilgrimage, quiet walks and a reading room. It will be a place where people can experience God themselves.

“Secondly, the workshops will complement the core work of White Oaks Rehabilitation Centre for alcohol and drug abuse, where people stay for a 30-day residential treatment course.

“In the near future, White Oaks intends to develop a second phase for those who need a longer stay. This would entail therapeutic work and for some and going home at the weekends.

“It offers an alternative way of life to the excessive drinking that is accepted as normal in society today,” said Father Carlin.

Project Funding

Some funding for the Celtic Peace Garden, workshops and tea rooms has been provided by the International Fund for Ireland. Father Carlin says he is hopefuil other agencies will assist the project.

He added: “As a Christian community • who have developed Columba House of Reconciliation in Derry, St. Anthony’s Retreat Centre and White Oaks in Donegal, the members believe implicitly in the last scripture written by Columba:

‘Those who seek the Lord will lack no manner of good things’.”

“This theme of faith in God’s goodness and provision will find expression throughout the prayer garden,” he concluded