On June 4th, the group got to visit and stay at Corrymeela, a peace and reconciliation community in the outskirts of Northern Ireland. The experiences from Corrymeela were transformational for the group and my own perspective on conflict and the pathway to peace. Our time spent in Corrymeela was perfectly placed about halfway through our time in Northern Ireland and forced the group to more deeply consider what the peace process looks like and could feel like.
Quickly, the group noticed the unfathomable beauty of the area along the cliffs of Northern Ireland. Amazed by the beauty, we took some time to ourselves to explore the area and take in the landscapes. Little did we know, the placement of this space was completely intentional not only because of the beauty, but also because of the isolation it has from city life, and at the time, the conflict occurring across Northern Ireland. As the day went on, the group learned more and more about the intentionality of those staying at and working at Corrymeela. In introducing ourselves, we each stood and gave our names and the backstory and history of them, if we knew it. As Iulia, one of the leaders at Corrymeela, noted, this is a time for each person to tell others exactly as much or as little as they want to about themselves and are listened to wholeheartedly. Each person is valued for their story. This further promotes the community aspect at Corrymeela. Nearly everything is community centered and focused. This environment and communal feeling is something Corrymeela’s staff emphasize and what has made them such a successful space for open dialogue and trust building.
Photo taken by Vic Bullard (6/4)
Photo taken by Leia Fidel (6/4)
Photo taken by Uche Nwadiashi (6/4)
This idea of trust and conversation was emphasized and actualized later that day when we played a game called Red, Blue, Green. As we were split up into two groups, we each strategized ways to effectively play the game and win but not necessarily beat the other team. Despite each team having the same goal in mind, to win, the ways they went about it were different, and the conversations within the teams were complex. Some people took more charge than others, and at times there was intergroup conflict on what color to choose each round and assumptions about the other group. In the end, both groups tied, which means both sides won since the numbers were both positive. Although we didn’t realize it at the time, this game helped emphasize the struggles of the reconciliation process and trust and community building. Our class went into this game as a close-knit group who had inherent trust in each other anyways and still mistrusted each other and questioned the other groups behaviors. Yet, we were never in a 30-year conflict with each other, nor had villainized one another.
Photo taken by Leia Fidel (6/4)
As David Bloomfield mentions in his handbook, Reconciliation After Violent Conflict, reaching peace and reconciling is different for everyone, but open dialogue is vital (2003). Going through this trust demanding game as a unit, we relied on the opportunities to converse with the other group to determine our course of action. During times of conflict this trust and opportunities for open dialogue are not always as easily accessible or reliable. Yet, Corrymeela played an active and important role in the peace conversations had between paramilitary organizations and other actors in the conflict. With their physical isolation, these participants were able to disengage with the conflict plaguing their everyday life and lean further into having conversations with the ‘other side’. Hearing and understanding each other is the first step in effective dialogue and peace building (Bloomfield, 2003).
Photo taken by Grace Granger (6/4)
While having the space to have these conversations, upon leaving Corrymeela the real test began to see if either side was genuine in their promises. This is something the two teams struggled with while we played Red, Blue, Green. After making a promise to only play red for the remainder of the game, one team played green, which didn’t hurt either side, but helped that team. This required the other team to decide if they should continue trusting them or take their shift in action as a break in trust and hostile move. This demonstrates the fragility of trust and often conditionality of trust. As Iulia pointed out in our post-game discussion, the most commonly used word is “they” because each group is focused on what the other one is doing, thus questioning the strength of their trust in each other to begin with. If both sides are sitting there questioning the other side and their possible actions, the trust is already significantly lacking. Despite our game being a very small comparison to the peace conversations actually occurring and the process to peace and reconciliation, it helped all of us to recognize how difficult and nuanced the conversations would’ve been and how impressive it is that the peace present in Northern Ireland today was able to be agreed upon. Bloomfield also notes how some restructuring can be significant to community’s post conflict, which has been demonstrated through the Belfast Agreement and subsequent action by the government and people in Northern Ireland.
Photo taken by Claire Santo (6/4)
Overall, the peace process and reconciliation efforts in Northern Ireland are unbelievable, but also bring a sense of hope and reassurance to the conflict-ridden world we live in. Oftentimes, conversation is overlooked in times of conflict, but as Declan Murphy, an Armagh politician, noted, “wars are often not won on the battlefield” (2026). The experiences at Corrymeela, and their emphasis on community and listening, helped our small group bond and trust each other more, while also being as effective in larger spaces with more tension ridden groups. Places such as these make peace processes possible and the end of conflicts more desirable than the opposite.
References:
Bloodfield, David, Teresa Barnes, and Luc Huyse (2003). Reconciliation After Violent Conflict: A
Handbook. International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.
Gullion, Slieve (2026). Cllr. Declan Murphy. Sinn Féin.
Picu, Iulia (2026). Corrymeela Community.