Children taken on holidays during the Troubles reunite in Donegal 50 years on

Back in 1972 an organisation called The Northern Ireland Children's Holiday Scheme (NICHS) was established by theological students at one of the English Catholic Seminaries, at Upholland College, Lancashire.

NICHS's prime purpose was to raise money in order to provide children from Northern Ireland with a holiday away from 'The Troubles'. Within the first year of its existence, the work of NICHS was taken on by all five of the English Catholic Seminaries.

Within that first year, 1972, thousands of pounds were raised and approximately 700 children from the Belfast area were provided with a holiday in the Irish Republic, utilising accommodation in two boarding schools, which were closed for the summer. The holidays were supervised/staffed by student volunteers and members of the local communities from which the children came.

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In many ways, the first year was a great success in that many children were given a holiday away from the conflicts taking place in their home communities. However, one major issue was that the majority of the children involved were Catholic and NICHS had always intended to be cross-community.

Thus, Anglican theological colleges also became involved and the whole project became more obviously ecumenical. Thus, in its second year of existence, 1973, NICHS raised £18,000 and was able to provide 1500 children from both traditions within Northern Ireland with a holiday in the Irish Republic; once again utilising boarding school accommodation.

The pattern repeated for the third year, 1974, but then in 1975, NICHS was able to purchase a property in Narin, Inniskeel House.

Inniskeel House was an old, built in 1912, unmodernised three-storey building, on its own grounds on the road that ran from Narin to Portnoo. During that first summer of 1975, approximately 300 children from both 'sides of the divide' in Northern Ireland were provided with a 10-day holiday in Narin.

For those who know it, Narin is an idyllic seaside setting, with a golden sandy beach and an offshore island, Inniskeel Island. Although facilities in the house were extremely basic, a bit like camping indoors, everyone had a wonderful time. In the following years, Inniskeel House was significantly upgraded, with kitchen and bathroom facilities being installed, as well as external fire escapes in case of emergency.

From 1975-1998, NICHS continued its work, raising funds and providing summer holidays to children from both sides of the communities across Northern Ireland at Inniskeel House. During the period in question, it is estimated that approximately 5,000 children were provided with a break from the conflicts.

In 1985 NICHS changed from being a charitable trust to a Private Company Limited by Guarantee.

In the context of this year, 2025, being the 50th anniversary of NICHS at Narin, I decided to try to organise a reunion for anyone who had been involved with NICHS in the past. Although I had one or two contacts of my own from the 1970s (s), I didn't know most of the people who were involved in the past and, not surprisingly, some individuals had died over the years.

Also, I had no idea who owned Inniskeel House and what their view would be to the suggestion that a group of strangers might meet up in their home! However, following much enquiry, I eventually discovered who the current owner of Inniskeel House is, viz. Mr John Brady. On contacting him, he was very open to the idea of a NICHS reunion/get-together in his home.
Thus, after much trial and tribulation, I managed to make contact with several people who had been involved with NICHS over the years, including the first full-time live-in coordinator for Inniskeel House, Ms Helen Frost, as well as the secretary for NICHS LIMITED, Ms Jacqueline Chalk (1985-2014).

Thus, a small group of people, who had had previous involvement with NICHS over the years, met up in Narin and enjoyed the hospitality of Mr John Brady's family in his home at Inniskeel House. Although there were only sixteen individuals present, they represented Dublin, Derry, Belfast, Donegal and Leitrim.

Inniskeel House was significantly upgraded and modernised by Mr John Brady after he purchased it, so the current dwelling bears very limited resemblance to the property that was once owned and utilised by NICHS.

However, despite such differences, those who turned up to participate in the NICHS reunion/get-together got enormous satisfaction from being given a guided tour around the house and reminiscing about what it used to be like and what their involvement with the children had been.

Although only a small number, a truly memorable day was had by all concerned. Eileen McNeill (John Brady's sister) and her husband, Glenn, were amazingly kind and generous hosts on behalf of John Brady and his family. My sense is that everyone who was involved really enjoyed the day.