Half a century ago in New York, Cork couple Patrick Mulcahy and his wife Kathleen started a conversation about how they could help children from Northern Ireland who were suffering at the height of The Troubles. They had the idea of bringing the children over to enjoy a holiday with host families in the U.S.
Patrick, with his siblings. Denis, John and Tom, wanted to do something constructive after watching footage of the Troubles on their TV screens.
At first, they experienced some resistance in the community because protestant children were being included in the initiative. However, they stuck with it and the idea became the volunteer run, ‘Project Children’ founded in 1975 by Patrick and Kathleen.
That Summer, Denis and his wife Miriam took over the reins after Pat and his wife returned to Ireland. After this transition, the operation was managed by the Mulcahys and the volunteers in the US and Northern Ireland. They brought the first six children to Greenwood Lake in New York, in 1975.
The initiative became a charity and was dedicated to fostering peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland by bringing the children from divided communities to live together and experience life in America. Over the years, 23,000 children, some as young as eight, were taken to America on a six-week holiday
The Mulcahys hail from Rockchapel in County Cork, Ireland and the family’s roots are deeply embedded in the local culture and community. Cork, known for its rich history, vibrant arts scene and strong sense of community, played a vital role in shaping the Mulcahy’s early experiences and values. Denis emigrated to the United States in 1962 and joined the New York City Police Department in 1969.
Inspired by the struggles and conflicts faced in Northern Ireland, Denis utilised his background and experiences to advance their initiative to allow young people the opportunity for personal growth and cross-community friendships. This program has not only enriched the lives of many children, but it has also served as a testament to Mulcahy’s commitment to peace-building and social development. His family’s efforts through Project Children have been recognised widely, highlighting his dedication to fostering intercultural understanding and helping young people from different backgrounds connect in meaningful and transformative ways.
Denis has won many awards and accolades. in 1993, President Mary Robinson presented him with the ‘Irish Voice’s Community Person of the Year Award.’ He was also nominated in 1973 and 1993 for the very prestigious Nobel Peace Prize for all his work for the children of Northern Ireland and was runner up to Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa. In March 1994, Denis was chosen as one of the top 100 Irish Americans of the Year, receiving an award from the former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds. He was also a guest of President Clinton at the St. Patrick’s Day celebration at the White House. In 1995, Denis received the ‘Top Cop Award’ in Washington D.C. from Vice President Al Gore and that same year, President Clinton asked Denis to join him on his historic trip to Northern Ireland. That same year ABC News named him Person of the Week and The World of Hibernia considers him one of fifty ‘SuperIrish’.
A 2016 TV documentary, ‘How to Defuse a Bomb: The Project Children Story‘ featured a contribution from Bill Clinton. It highlighted Mulcahy’s dedication to peace and reconciliation, showcasing how he used his expertise in bomb disposal to protect lives and promote understanding between communities. The film illustrated the lasting impact of Project Children on the lives of the young people involved, and the broader implications for peace in the North.
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Project Children and ensure that its message of peace through the perspective of children endures for future generations, the organisation has established a cultural collaboration with Monaghan County Council and the Peace Campus located in Monaghan town. This partnership is focused on implementing cross-community and cross-border peace initiatives throughout the island of Ireland.
Denis Mulcahy, Chairman and Co-Founder of Project Children said, “As the chairman of Project Children, I am very pleased about our partnership with Monaghan County Council and it is an honour to perpetuate our 50 year legacy at the Monaghan Peace Campus. The move is garnering great support from our key Project Children volunteers both in the US and Ireland, and we are entering this next phase of our program with a renewed focus on educating the next generation on the importance of peace.”
Robert Burns, Chief Executive of Monaghan County Council also shared, “The Cultural Partnership between Monaghan County Council and Project Children will create a lasting legacy for the people of Monaghan and the surrounding region. The collection, housed at the Monaghan County Museum in the new Peace Campus, will be accessible to the public and researchers. It will also provide a unique chance for the thousands of children, now adults, and their families who were impacted by Project Children to reconnect and foster new relationships within the community.”
As part of this collaboration, efforts will be made to protect and preserve the charity’s impressive 50-year legacy at the Monaghan Peace Campus. This modern facility will house the archives of Project Children. Charity advocates, Catherine Flood and Linda Croston are leading the Project Children initiative focused on archival management, community engagement and fundraising, in both the U.S. and Ireland.
Liam Bradley, Curator at Monaghan County Museum and said, “This truly remarkable story of resilience and belief in a better tomorrow is both inspiring and humbling. The museum is proud to be the new home of the Project Children story. I look forward to many years of working in collaboration with Project Children as we explore the thousands of fascinating stories it has created while making new ones with the next generation of people who call this part of the world home.”
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the life-changing initiative, Derry-born author Jane Buckley has been commissioned to write the story of Project Children, detailing its origins, the Project Children Intern Programme (a summer work and work travel experience) and the ongoing Mulcahy Scholarship. Buckley recalls school friends participating in Project Children trips to the States, and she has also made numerous references to its successes in her recent trouble-based fictional series, Stones Corner Turmoil, Darkness, Light, and Hope. The ‘Project Children’ book is set to be released in 2026.
From a modest conversation to the establishment of a peace campus, the Project Children journey exemplifies how one’s roots can ignite a lifelong commitment to fostering positive change. Alongside the archives at the Monaghan Peace Campus and the upcoming book, their efforts ensure that Project Children’s historical milestones are preserved for future generations and accessible to the wider community.
Article published in The Echo on the 31/12/2024.