There’s an old saying that goes ‘If the Cap fits, wear it.’

Local community groups in Fermanagh and Leitrim have found not just one, but three well-fitting caps and have developed the ‘3CAP’ project to strengthen connections between three rural communities.  Boho and Killesher in Co Fermanagh and Ballinaglera in Co Leitrim form a triangle just miles apart but have been separated and often isolated from each other. Over the years, proximity to the border has brought many challenges and difficulties to people living in the area, but it is believed that the 3CAP project can help renew old and make new acquaintances, finding and celebrating what we have in common with each other and what is still good about living in this rural border region.

 The 3CAP Project (Three Communities Advancing through Peace) had its official launch in Ballinaglera Community Hall, Co Leitrim on Friday 13th May, attended by officials from the International Fund for Ireland, Anne Carr, N.I. Peace Campaigner, members of the three communities involved and representatives of organisations who have funded the renovation of Ballinaglera Hall.

The project, which is supported by the International Fund for Ireland through its Building Foundations – Community Based Economic and Social Regeneration Programme, is the brainchild of Ballinaglera Development Company, Boho Women’s Group and Killesher Community Development Company. All three areas are similar in their make up – rural communities with a strong tradition of community and heritage and areas of outstanding natural beauty. All three areas have developed and manage their own community centres and are now working together to strengthen and develop cross border and cross community relationships and understanding, learn from each other and other similar communities in how to keep their community facilities on a viable footing, and provide social and educational opportunities for local people.

Attending the launch, Peter Hogan, Deputy Joint Director General of the International Fund for Ireland said “This initiative is a great example of communities working together to build a shared future in this region which suffered greatly as a consequence of the Troubles. The project will work to rebuild relationships fractured by fear and division, to address common challenges facing the communities of Ballinaglera, Boho and Killesher.” Mr Hogan also expressed a collective thanks to the international donors who have supported the work of the International Fund for Ireland for almost twenty-five years: namely, the United States of America, the European Union, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The project will focus on youth, older people, women, music groups, community groups, farming families, as well as the wider community through community events and heritage weekends in each area. To date many of the groups have got together for initial networking meetings; training has been organised in Child Protection Awareness and a Digital Photography Course for women is about to start. Development Worker for the project is Isobel Cleary and she is happy to talk to anyone in the local areas about the project and ideas for it. Isobel can be contacted at 071 9643117 (00353 71 9643117 from NI), by mobile phone 087 3741817 (00353 873741817 from NI) or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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