Bushmills Peace Group meeting

Present were over 60 members and friends, including members from the Ballycastle Churches' Action Group and First Coleraine and St. Malachy’s Bridge Building Groups. The guest speaker, the well- known local historian, Mr. Alex Blair, using a variety of sources as well as St Patrick’s own “Confession”, sought to unravel legend from fact in the life of St Patrick.

The son of a Christian alderman in Roman Britain, Patrick was captured and brought to Ireland about 401 AD by Celtic raiders and as a slave looked after sheep on, traditionally, Slemish. Since the Saint’s exact locations are uncertain, Alex pointed out that St Patrick’s presence is claimed by almost every county in Ireland: in the North Coast he is linked to places such as Dunseverick Kilraughts, Rasharkin and Armoy.

In Ireland Patrick developed a love for God and also a love for the Irish people since, although he escaped back home, he returned. He wrote that he was inspired by a dream when he heard a voice say, “We ask thee, boy, to come and walk among us once more”. He gained an education in Europe then returned in 432 AD to confront the Druids and preach the gospel of Christ to pagan Ireland. His method was to target first the leaders of the land for conversion, including, it would seem, the High King of Tara, himself. He died in 465 AD., traditionally on March 17th.

Missionaries spread Christianity from Ireland to Iona and eventually throughout Europe. As Alex concluded, in spite of only 10% of verifiable fact amid a plethora of stories, one certainty is that Patrick gave the Irish the most precious of all gifts, the good news of the gospel. Bushmills Peace Group would like to thank Alex for sharing his very considerable knowledge of St Patrick in such an enjoyable way.

The meeting concluded with these words from St Patrick’s Breastplate:

Christ in hearts of all that love me

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

These words link closely with the topic of a half day conference which has been arranged for church folk on Saturday, April 17th, to answer the question “Who is my neighbour?” The conference will begin at 9.30.am in Portballintrae Village Hall with refreshments on arrival and will end at 1.00 pm. There will be lunch in the Bayview Hotel. This will be free but those who wish to come will need, for catering purposes, to register at their church or phone 20731242.

Other events to look forward to are: a General Meeting of Bushmills Peace Group on 18th May in Dunluce Parish Hall at 10.15.am and a trip to Stormont on June 5th. All are welcome.