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The Newsletter of Northern Ireland Children's Enterprise

Donal J. Murphy Center Dedicated in Ballycastle

     On May 23, the NICE residential center in Ballycastle, Northern Ireland was dedicated as the Donal J. Murphy Center to honor the group's founder. NICE grew from Don Murphy's vision. His personal experience hosting children for summer visits convinced him that the effects of such a program alone would not last after the children returned home to the segregated communities of Belfast. By arranging the financing on the first NICE house in Ballycastle, he provided the opportunity for thousands of children, and their families, to continue to meet in a safe environment. With the addition of a second building in the center of Belfast in 1998, over 15,000 meetings have been facilitated among children, parents, and leaders of the two communities since 1989.
     From the start his commitment has been unwavering. For the first ten years of the program, DJ Murphy Associates provided the office space and administrative support required to run the program. Golf outings, begun in 1989, became the main fundraising tool. We now have ten outings ranging from the west coast of California to the east coast of Ireland. Over the past fourteen years, NICE has grown from strictly a summer program to a seven-day per week enterprise.
     To celebrate the dedication, children, staff and volunteers assembled at the center. Children from Seymour Hill and Holy Child, the two schools that most of our children attend, came up on the NICE minibus. Some of the children told us of their adventures at the Ballycastle facility, and what involvement in NICE means to them. It was a heartwarming afternoon for all.
     Our Youth Programs Manager Joe Loughlin, who is quite talented on the guitar, treated us to some music. He was joined by Fiona Kerr, one of our youth volunteers, who has a lovely voice and sang some beautiful songs for us. A poem by Sian O'Neill, another youth volunteer, was read - the poem No More Notches is reprinted on page 3 of this newsletter.
     Our Chairman in Northern Ireland Paul McCrory guided us through the rest of the program. Carmel McCavana told us of all the Murphy family has done for NICE since the late 1970's, and included some humorous anecdotes over the many years
     It was a great day, and a fitting time to honor Don Murphy and his family for all they have done for the cause of peace in Northern Ireland.

Left to right: Don Murphy, his son Don Jr.
with wife Marina, his daughter Kerry and his wife Mary Jo

Thanks to Bill Cullen & Irish Youth Foundation

     We have so many people to thank for making our first golf tournament in Ireland such a success. Sponsored by the Irish Youth Foundation, it was held May 20 on the Old Course at Portmarnock Golf Club. Initial reports indicate that it raised a net profit of over 40,000 euros (about $41,600) for NICE. Trevor O'Rourke and the Irish International Group were instrumental in bringing the whole event together. Thanks also to Canice Kelly, the member of Portmarnock who arranged the event at a club that rarely hosts charity outings.
     One of the highlights of the day was the presentation of a check for 12,700 euros by best selling author Bill Cullen from the proceeds of his book It's a Long Way From Penny Apples. The book has been number one on the Bestseller List in Dublin, and is soon to be released in the USA. All proceeds from the sale of the book are directed to the Irish Youth Foundation, with a portion given to NICE.
     While the weather for the day was not the best, everyone was in good humor knowing we were having a truly Irish experience. Portmarnock is an absolutely beautiful facility overlooking the Irish sea, and one of the premier courses in Ireland. The old course is the one everyone wants to play, and it proved to be quite a challenge for the group.
     After dinner, the golfers were shown the new NICE video, which gives a terrific explanation of the organization in the words of the staff and volunteers who run it. It also tells the history of the program, and some of the effects it is having on the people involved. The golfers were able to see the children utilizing the facilities in Ballycastle and of Belfast. The eight-minute movie really gave them a comprehensive view of how the NICE program affects families in Northern Ireland.

Bill Cullen presents Don Murphy with a check for 12,700 euros

Helping out at the Portmarnock registration table were Carmel McCavana of NICE,
Eaodain McHugh of the Irish Youth Foundation and Clodagh Gibson of Irish International,
and Ciara Boylan of the Irish Youth Foundation

First Annual NICE Grand Golf Tour of Ireland

     First stop on the tour was Ireland's premier course at Portmarnock Golf Club for the inaugural NICE golf tournament in Ireland. The fine Irish weather was unable to dampen the spirits of our stalwart group. Over the next week, they continued on to play at Portstewart Golf Club, Royal County Down, and both the Dunluce Course and the Valley Course at Royal Portrush. They ended the week with a visit to the NICE residential center in Ballycastle for the dedication of the Donal J. Murphy Center.
     Plans are already underway for next year's trip. If you'd like to join us, just give a call to (914) 271-1040.

New Mini-Van A Big Hit

    A side benefit has been healthier children with fewer instances of carsickness, plus lots less groans and muscle strains from the drivers. The ride is so much smoother that the hour-long trip from Belfast to Ballycastle seems to fly by.
    We're hoping that all our friends from Los Gatos (and our supporters from across the world) who might be visiting in Ireland will stop in for a visit to see the great work you are funding in Northern Ireland.

Children to Arrive July 1

Our daughter has no behaviour problems. Her brother lives on his own in England as he did not want to live in Northern Ireland because of the troubles. We see him maybe twice a year. Our house is in North Belfast. When any trouble starts ours is the first house that always comes under attack with bricks and bottles. We have had our windows smashed. During this last year it has been bad. I am so grateful that my daughter has been chosen for this holiday so that at this time of year she will be away from all the trouble. Thank you.

by Sian O'Neill

Don and Mary Jo Murphy with some of the children and volunteers from the NICE program
outside the recently dedicated Donal J. Murphy Centre in Ballycastle, Northern Ireland.

Schedule of Upcoming NICE Events

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