February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Pierce O’Reilly
Nancy and Paul Berry haven’t been to Ireland. They haven’t the time or the money right now but it’s definitely on the agenda.
“We can’t wait to go,” Nancy said. Instead, perched on their knees at Yankee Stadium last week for the game against the Detroit Tigers, was ‘their own little bit of Ireland,’ Caiomhe Quinn and Sacha McConkey.
The little ones are just two of many Northern Irish children who spend an unforgettable summer holiday with host families like the Berrys, thanks to the Northern Ireland Children’s Enterprise (N.I.C.E). Twelve year-old, Callan Peden from Hollywood, Co. Down testified to just how good a time it has been. “It’s amazing, we’re having a ball”, he said.
Out on the field Bernie Williams was about to hit another home run, as the kids, from both Catholic and Protestant backgrounds mingled and messed with ease – chanting all the time, “Let’s go Yankees.”
There was no talk about progress or stalemate in the peace process nor fear of bombs or barricades at Yankee Stadium – it was just kids laughing, joking, playing, and having a really good time. Derrick Jeter or Tino Martinez didn’t realize it either, but the Yankees were making their own contribution to peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.
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“We get on fine,” Aaron Hegarty said dismissing Northern Ireland’s sectarian divide. “It’s just a lifetime experience, something I’ll never forget.”
When organizer and executive director of N.I.C.E Kate Cunningham requested the Yankee tickets and explained the worthy cause, the public relations person at the stadium simply said, ‘how many do you need?’
N.I.C.E exists to encourage and support young people, parents and children to come together, to get to know one another and to begin the process of understanding and reconciliation. Well done, Yankees and not just for winning the game 6-5.
For further information on N.I.C.E, visit the web site: www.nicekids.org.