{
  "id": 8626726,
  "title": "Cross-border project explores growing up after GFA",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/cross-border-project-explores-growing-up-after-gfa",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-20T06:00:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTE News",
    "slug": "rte-news",
    "url": "https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/0920/1592197-theatre-ulster-sligo/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A cross-border project exploring the meaning of peace for those who grew up after the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 will culminate in a live streamed theatrical performance tomorrow. Thirty young people aged 18-25 from Northern and Southern Ireland, who lived together during the summer, will present 'Project Lighthouse' at Sligo's Hawk's Well Theatre. The production, a collaboration between the Hawk's Well Theatre, the Millennium Forum in Derry, and the John and Pat Hume Foundation, is supported by the Special EU Programmes Body.\n\nThe project participants, many of whom lacked theatrical experience, were chosen after responding to advertisements. Artists Abby Oliveira and Bob Kelly guided the production, which they describe as a \"tasting board\" of the young people's discussions, incorporating open-mic format, dance, movement, and abstract theatre. The goal is not a cohesive dramatic arc but for the audience to have an encounter with the interesting participants.\n\nGrace Doherty from Derry City described the production as \"great craic from day one,\" emphasizing the importance of collaboration. She highlighted the group's awareness of the privilege and safety brought by the Good Friday Agreement, noting that the rate of violence against women and the male suicide epidemic in Northern Ireland were key topics of discussion. Luke O'Grady, a Derry-based writer, expressed enjoyment in acting and improvisation, stating that his understanding of peace hasn't changed but remains open-minded. Kaylee Finnegan, who composed a solo piece for the production, emphasized that peace means collaboration. Patrick Donlan from Ballintrillick expressed enjoyment in the project and hopes for continued contact with the group, emphasizing the importance of understanding recent history.\n\nEvan Ennis from Dromahair in Co Leitrim stated that the group wrote their scenes together and will perform them together. Oleksandra Pidopryhora from Ukraine, living in Sligo, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn about Irish history and discuss Ukraine's situation. The project will be viewed online on The Hawk's Well website tomorrow morning, with an accompanying fly-on-the-wall documentary included in a digital resource for schools and informing another upcoming project.",
  "summary": "A cross-border project examining what peace means to the generation that grew up after the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 will culminate in a theatrical performance that will be streamed live tomorrow, the UN's International Day of Peace.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}