Shirley Hayes – A Summer on the North South Way Peace Camino

Walking Together as One for Peace – A Summer on the North South Way Peace Camino

The North South Way Peace Camino is a cross-community, shared-island, community-led initiative connecting Portadown and Carlingford through a 33-mile (53-kilometre) walking route along the Newry Canal Towpath and the Carlingford Lough Greenway.

Developed by REACT, the initiative transforms a historic trade and travel corridor into a shared pathway for peace, wellbeing and connection.

Rooted in peacebuilding and community development it creates safe, inclusive and meaningful opportunities for people to walk and work together, explore the area’s shared heritage and landscape, build relationships and contribute to a more connected and peaceful future across the island.

Across the Summer Walk Series, a total of 58 people joined the journey, bringing together young people and adults, people from across community backgrounds, and participants from both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Together, they walked side by side sharing stories, discovering their heritage, reflecting on peace and taking time to talk, connect and get to know one another.

Stage One took the participants from Portadown to Scarva. Along the way they stopped at Moneypenny’s Forge, where ABC Council Heritage Officer Jonny Kerr gave them a wonderful welcome and shared the history of the Forge.

Stage Two took the participants from Scarva to Newry. At the Sluice Keeper’s Cottage at Acton Lake, Paul O’Neill from the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland welcomed them with a cup of tea and shared the heritage of the canal. From there, they walked on along the towpath to Canal Wood, where they enjoyed a picnic break and the group was led through a reflection on inner peace before continuing the journey towards Newry.

Stage Three took the participants from Newry to Omeath and across the border into the Republic of Ireland. At Victoria Lock, the pilgrims paused to reflect on what community peace meant to them. There was something very special about crossing the border together. Waiting for them in Omeath was a welcome they would not forget.

Helen Thompson and the staff from Omeath District Development CLG welcomed them into the Dolmen Centre with cream teas and homemade buns. After walking from Newry together, arriving to such warmth from the local community made the moment even more meaningful.

The final stage took participants from Omeath to Carlingford. Before setting off each pilgrim received a Pilgrim’s Pebble and was invited to reflect on something they wished to let go of personally or within their community. They followed the Carlingford Lough Greenway pausing at St Jude’s Shrine for a guided reflection before continuing towards Carlingford. On reaching Carlingford the pilgrims placed their pebbles on the beach, symbolically releasing whatever they had chosen to leave behind.

They then gathered for their final Pilgrim’s Circle to reflect on the journey, the people they had met, the conversations they had shared and what walking together for peace had meant to them. Helen Thompson presented participants with their Pilgrim for Peace certificates, recognising their contribution to the shared journey and encouraging them to continue sharing a message of peace.

An important part of the Summer Walk Series was the involvement of academics from Ulster University’s INCORE and Belfast School of Art, including Professor Brandon Hamber, Professor Elise Feron, Dr Pamela Whitaker and Abby Hong. Their involvement brought an important academic and research dimension to the initiative, supporting the exploration of the connections between post-conflict landscape and peacebuilding.

Reflecting on the Peace Camino Summer Walks, Shirley Hayes, Chief Executive of REACT, said: “What made this so special was the sense of connection that grew as the participants journeyed together. The group was made up of young people and adults, people from across community backgrounds and participants from both sides of the border, walking side by side together as one for peace. Academics walked alongside community members, while councils, waterways organisations and local communities became part of the Peace Camino journey.

“This is what the North South Way Peace Camino is about: a community-led, cross-community and cross-border initiative using our shared landscape and heritage as a corridor for communication, connection and peacebuilding. To everyone who walked with us and welcomed the participants into their community, Thank you.”

The next Peace Camino one-day walk will take place on Wednesday 30th September 2026, with information and registration details available through the REACT website and Facebook page. Or email info@reactni.org.