Unheard Voices in Moyle

Hosted by Moyle District Council Good Relations Programme, the event was an opportunity to hear the voices of people who have lost loved ones and gain an insight into the impact of their loss.

The event was held as part of Community Relations Week, organised by the Community Relations Council which ran from April 26 to May 2 and is the biggest week in the community relations calendar involving 150 events and thousands of people throughout Northern Ireland.

Councillor Cara McShane, Chair of Moyle District Council opened the event, extending appreciation to Wave Trauma Centre and The University of Ulster for producing the film and the film’s contributors for their openness and bravery.

A collection of six powerful short stories of those who have lost someone or who have been injured permanently as a result of the Northern Ireland conflict was shown to the gathered audience. These films presented poignant reflections on a range of experiences, as survivors and relatives engage with the themes of loss, recovery, justice and remembering. After the screening, some of the people who were involved in the production of the DVD were present to share more of their account in person, to take questions and be involved in the discussion that was generated.

Good Relations Officer Ryan Moore commented: “Screening Unheard Voices for the first time was an emotional and moving experience for many people. I feel that it really brings home to the viewer the loss and hurt suffered by many across the religious and political divide in Northern Ireland as a result of our ‘Troubles’ and provides an opportunity for people to engage in the debate about how we deal with the past”.

For further information on the Unheard Voices project contact Pat McCauley at WAVE on 028 2766 9900.