Communities from County Donegal and Causeway Coast & Glens gathered at the Waterfront Hotel Derry, to celebrate the achievements of the Coasts, Hills and Glens – Connecting Communities Project, a cross-border initiative supported by the International Fund for Ireland (IFI).

Led by Rathmullan the Way Forward CLG and Enterprise Causeway, the project has brought together over 60 community and development groups from traditional Unionist and Nationalist areas to collaborate on a series of cultural, creative and community development initiatives, focused on strengthening relationships between communities across both regions. Funding of almost €300,000 was provided by the IFI to the project, which began on a pilot basis in 2023 and following its initial success was extended.

Over two and a half years, the project has collaborated on cultural festivals, artisan markets, youth engagement, village regeneration and creative learning workshops. The initiative has supported participants who may not previously have engaged in cross-border work, helping to build confidence, understanding and new relationships across Loyalist, Unionist, Republican and Nationalist backgrounds.

A notable outcome of the programme has been the development of the Rathmullan Makers Market. Inspired by an exchange visit to The Designerie in Bushmills, the market has grown into a successful creative platform supporting artists and makers from across Donegal. IFI funding has also facilitated cross-border participation in local literary festivals and the commissioning of local filmmakers to work with schools and community members in Rathmullan and Portballintrae to produce a short film called 'SOS: Save Our Seas', which explored shared coastal challenges and further strengthened links between both communities. The film premiered at the Rathmullan Film Festival in 2025.

Shona Mc Carthy, Chair of the International Fund for Ireland, said:

“The IFI is committed to delivering real and positive transformation in communities that have not previously or only partially, participated in peace building and reconciliation activities. The Coasts, Hills and Glens Project have shown remarkable commitment in bringing diverse communities together and the cultural festivals, artisan markets and creative learning projects showcased demonstrate the power of communities working side by side. This programme typifies the positive change we seek to foster and encourage.”

Mick McGlynn, Director of Rathmullan the Way Forward, said:

“We’re extremely proud of what has been achieved through this project. It has strengthened the work we are doing in Rathmullan and created new connections with community groups across Donegal and the Causeway Coast and Glens. This project has given our volunteers, and many other groups across the region, the chance to work together in ways we hadn’t experienced before, the relationships we’ve built with groups in the Causeway Coast and Glens will last long beyond the life of the project.”

Jayne Taggart, Chief Executive of Enterprise Causeway, said:

“We’re incredibly proud of what has been achieved through the Coasts, Hills and Glens project. What began as an opportunity to build cross-border connections has grown into a network of communities supporting each other’s ambitions and development work. The progress made across the Causeway Coast and Glens is something everyone involved should be proud of. Today is a celebration of that hard work and of the strong cross-border relationships that will continue long after the programme ends.”