Holywell Testimony Series: Recent Episodes
Holywell Trust
Testimonies of people directly impacted by the recent conflict in Northern Ireland recorded in interviews with Eamonn Baker. The series was originally released during 2017 and 2018 and received financial support through the Central Good Relations Fund of The Executive Office.
Episode 9 - Jonathan Burgess - First Released 20/7/17
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not in any way represent the views of the Holywell Trust, its partners or their funders.
Growing up on the Victoria Road Jonathan Burgess slept underneath the view of a UVF Scarf, a symbol of his rebellion against the aggression toward the Protestant Community in the City following Bloody Sunday. Jonathan discusses how his attitude changed as he grew up and broadened his horizons whilst studying in Liverpool. As a writer Jonathan has tackled many topics associated with the Northern Ireland Conflict, giving a voice to those whose stories have never been heard before. Stories that can be found in his plays "The Exodus" and "The Pride of the Marching Bands" to name a few. He discusses the impact of his work and how is role within the Playhouse upon his return from England helped him perfect his skills as a Theatre Producer.
Episode 14 - Robert Millar - First Released 7/9/17
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not in any way represent the views of the Holywell Trust, its partners or their funders.
Continuing on with the Testimony Series Eamonn's guest this week is the Archdeacon Robert Miller. Robert talks about the idea of forgiveness whilst reflecting on the Northern Ireland Conflict and how the theme of forgiveness regarding Northern Ireland's most violent period is commonly ignored.
Episode 20 - Hazel Deeney - First Released 17/1/18
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not in any way represent the views of the Holywell Trust, its partners or their funders.
LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED
Trevor Deeney in April of 1998 was shot and murdered by members of the INLA as he sat in his car with his wife Hazel. Hazel discusses the trauma of witnessing her husband's death, how his intervention under fire resulted in her survival during the attack plus her economic struggles that followed to keep her family financially secure.
Episode 23 - Julieann Campbell - First Released 18/5/18
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not in any way represent the views of the Holywell Trust, its partners or their funders.
Joining Eamonn Baker on this final episode is Julieann Campbell. Julieann is a journalist in the city who has worked with families affected by the troubles through her work at the Pat Finucane Centre, the Bloody Sunday Families and through the Museum and the Unheard Voices Programme.
Episode 22 - Helen Henderson - First Released 17/5/18
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not in any way represent the views of the Holywell Trust, its partners or their funders.
Continuing on with our final episodes of the Holywell Testimony Series of Podcasts, Eamonn Baker talks to Helen Henderson. Helen is the Managing Director of St. Columb's Park House, who originally grew up in Kilfennan and attended school at Foyle and Londonderry College. In this podcast she discusses her rebellious thoughts against her culture as a teen, attending mass with her catholic friends, her thoughts on marching bands and the challenges and joys of Cross Community Work.
Episode 4 - James King & Eamonn O’Donnell - First Released 22/5/17
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not in any way represent the views of the Holywell Trust, its partners or their funders.
The new edition of the Holywell Trust Testimony Series Podcast is out now for free streaming and downloading on Soundcloud and on iTunes/Apple Podcasts https://soundcloud.com/…/holywell-testimony-james-king-eamo… Discover the street theatre of James King & Eamonn O'Donnell, renowned throughout the city for their topical and politically inspired performances on the steps of St Columb's Hall. In their discussion they tell a number of stories such as their performance on Princes Street during the Edinburgh Festival, their spontaneous St. Patrick's Day parade in Derry and why they have been banned from London's South Bank.
Episode 13 - Emma McGinley - First Released 31/8/17
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not in any way represent the views of the Holywell Trust, its partners or their funders.
Emma is a volunteer at the youth organisation REACH Across and throughout her testimony she describes the role the organisation has played in her life from her teenage years in broadening her life experiences and meeting people from different cultures. She openly discusses the difficulties REACH Across faces in terms of funding, how the lack of funds hampers their work and her views on the current peace process.
Episode 15 - Gerry McDaid - First Released 5/6/17
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not in any way represent the views of the Holywell Trust, its partners or their funders.
Gerry McDaid in his youth was a promising boxing talent from the Bogside in Derry. Before he was about to represent his country at under 19 level an accident in the home cost him a promising boxing career. He tells Eamonn Baker about his personal conflict and recounts stories from his point of view of the conflict in his estate during the early parts of the Northern Ireland Conflict.
Episode 17 - Brendan Brady & Michaela Devine - First Released 2/11/17
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not in any way represent the views of the Holywell Trust, its partners or their funders.
One of the purposes of a Lullaby, or a cradle song, in some societies is to pass down cultural knowledge or tradition. Brendan Brady has taken that purpose as part of the Lullaby Project to break down cultural barriers to learn about diverse languages and practices by performing lullabies from different countries. With the help of his collaborator, Michaela Devine, listen to some of the traditional lullabies you may recognise and some you may not have.
Episode 16 - Ann Walker - First Released 18/10/17
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not in any way represent the views of the Holywell Trust, its partners or their funders.
Listen to the inspirational testimony of Ann Walker. Once a member of the IRA she left as she felt the cause she was fighting for was not the future she envisaged. Presently Ann is a key member of the Theatre of Witness Production Workshops which breaks down boundaries built by communities and individuals as a result of the Northern Ireland Conflict. She describes the positive work she has done alongside former British Soldiers, Loyalist paramilitaries, White Supremacists and ISIS members to promote a better future.
Episode 12 - Liam Campbell - First Released 24/8/17
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not in any way represent the views of the Holywell Trust, its partners or their funders.
Recorded back in March 2017, Eamonn conducted an interview with Liam Campbell, Community Relations Officer at the Playhouse Theatre. During the conversation Liam discusses his opinion on the "Fragile Peace" in Northern Ireland, his viewpoints on the last Assembly Elections and his role within the Playhouse Theatre. Liam also informs us of the "No Place Like Home" Project, a theatrical show developed from the original stories of the young parents and their experiences of homelessness and featured song, satire, drama and a very powerful message about the often overlooked issue of homelessness in this city and beyond.
Episode 18 - Donna Smith - First Released 23/11/17
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not in any way represent the views of the Holywell Trust, its partners or their funders.
The Holywell Testimony Series returns with an interview with Donna Smith. Donna is the mother of Andrew Allen who was murdered in Lisfannon, Co. Donegal by individuals linked to the Republican Action Against Drugs, or RAAD on February 9th 2012. In this testimony Donna remembers her son with the "larger than life" personality, whilst discussing how the murder and the years that have passed has impacted her family, herself and how she has found strength in fighting for her deceased son.
Episode 10 - Sean O’Donnell - First Released 27/7/17
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not in any way represent the views of the Holywell Trust, its partners or their funders.
Sean O'Donnell was only a Primary School student the day the Good Friday Agreement was signed. In this Testimony Sean discusses what it was like growing up in Strathfoyle in the transition from the Conflict in Northern Ireland to the Peace Process. Sean speaks highly of attending Oakgrove Integrated School as well as the role a past guest on this Podcast, Eamonn O'Donnell, played in getting him out of experimenting with drugs and directing him towards the work he now fulfils with Extern.
Episode 21 - Fr. Joe Gormley - First Released 30/1/18
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not in any way represent the views of the Holywell Trust, its partners or their funders.
Father Joe Gormley, originally from Omagh in Co. Tyrone, has served as a priest in the parishes of Shantallow and Ballymagroarty. He has spent the past number of years at St. Mary's Chapel in Creggan where he has witnessed the trauma of the Northern Ireland Conflict to this day. Having grown up in Omagh Father Gormley speaks of how the conflict's impact passed Omagh by until the 1998 bombing and how "Unheard Voices" influenced a healing programme in his parish to help those still dealing with the troubles to this day in Creggan.
Episode 19 - Mildred Garfield - First Released 11/1/18
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not in any way represent the views of the Holywell Trust, its partners or their funders.
The first Holywell Testimony of 2018 features Mildred Garfield, a DUP Councillor who in 2001-2002 would become Mayoress of the city. In this testimony podcast Mildred reflects on her time as Mayoress, growing up on the Foyle Road in an inclusive area and her community work within the Caw/Nelson Drive Action Group.
Episode 7 - Maureen Wilkinson - First Released 6/7/17
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not in any way represent the views of the Holywell Trust, its partners or their funders.
In 2008 Emmet Shiels, the brother of Maureen Wilkinson, was murdered in Creggan whilst trying to chase away 4 armed men whose objective on this night was to shot an alleged drug dealer in the city. Maureen gives us an insight into the type of kind hearted and quick witted person Emmet was, the events of the night he was killed, the media coverage that followed, the Police investigation, how involving the police was seen by some within the community and how through the medium of Drama she was able to move on with her life.
Episode 6 - Liam McCloskey - First Released 23/6/17
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not in any way represent the views of the Holywell Trust, its partners or their funders.
This recording was conducted in the Holywell Trust "The Junction" Room in late 2016 during a Testimony Session. During this session an audience listened to the testimony of Liam McCloskey, a former Republican prisoner at Long Kesh. Liam was the cellmate of Kevin Lynch who died during the Hunger Strike and Liam would follow Kevin into the strike. Liam will tell you how his body shut down during his hunger strike, what convinced him to come off the strike and stepping away from the republican movement to accepting the spirit of God. Liam shares stories of his work after prison and delivering peace and reconciliation seminars.
Episode 5 - Derek Moore - First Released 19/6/17
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not in any way represent the views of the Holywell Trust, its partners or their funders.
Eamonn Baker returns with a brand new edition of the Testimony Series and this time his interviewee is Derek Moore. Derek originally hails from The Fountain area of the City. He discusses his transition from the Building Site to the Londonderry Bands Forum, his role within the forum and how the forum impacted on the 2013 and 2014 Fleadh in Derry and Sligo respectively. Derek also discusses representing the Bands Forum at the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis and how he had his eyes opened by the experience.
Episode 1 - Seamas Heaney - First Released 26/4/17
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not in any way represent the views of the Holywell Trust, its partners or their funders.
Eamonn Baker interviews Seamas Heaney in the first of the Holywell Trust Testimony series. In June 1978 Seamas’ brother Denis was shot dead in Derry’s City Centre by a member of the British Army. Seamus expresses how his brother’s death impacted on him, his family and the wider community. Seamas details how he has progressed from the conflict of Northern Ireland to become an esteemed Community Worker in the Creggan Estate through his work at the Healthy Living Centre.
Episode 8 - John Porter - First Released 14/7/17
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not in any way represent the views of the Holywell Trust, its partners or their funders.
John Porter is an outdoor pursuits instructor who has worked young people across Northern Ireland throughout the country's conflict to the present day. John shares with us his experiences of the Northern Ireland Conflict from his beginnings in Rosemount participating in the riots during the 1981 Hunger Strike and getting involved in outdoor pursuits which was key to John getting off the streets and forming a viable career path.
Episode 3 - Nigel Hussey - First Released 12/5/17
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not in any way represent the views of the Holywell Trust, its partners or their funders.
Our testimony series continues with a conversation with Nigel Hussey. In great humour and honesty Nigel recalls his employ at a local supermarket that was targeted by 10 viable bomb attacks, numerous robberies and one that included a gun being pointed to his head. He also discusses an explosion near the Northern Counties during his time as manager of the establishment as well as Bloody Sunday and the days that followed plus his own conversion to the Catholic Church and how it affected his relationship with his family.
Episode 2 - Caroline Brown - First Released 4/5/17
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not in any way represent the views of the Holywell Trust, its partners or their funders.
In the second of our Testimony Series, Eamonn Baker interviews Caroline Brown. As a teenager Caroline, originally from Rosemount but living in care in Omagh Co. Tyrone, fell in love with a British Soldier called Dave Thomas. In this interview hear Caroline's account of what she describes as the happiest time of her life which turned to heartbreak after she was threatened to end the relationship or risk being shot.
Episode 11 - Joe Thompson - First Released 10/8/17
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not in any way represent the views of the Holywell Trust, its partners or their funders.
Extern was officially opened in the city of Derry/Londonderry to influence children, adults and communities affected by social exclusion throughout Ireland. Eamonn's guest on this week's Podcast is Joe Thompson who works for Extern. He gives his viewpoint on the fragile peace we are experiencing in the city, how he holds hope on our ability to sustain that peace and how Extern's work tackling exclusion and preventing young people getting on the treadmill of poverty, unemployment and crime helps continue our city's peace building efforts.