Mr Arthur Rainey 04.02.26

Omagh Probus Club Wednesday 4th February 2026 – Arthur Rainey

The guest speaker was Mr Arthur Rainey talking about the Ulster Project. He began by asking if any of those present had family members participate in the scheme. A goodly number had children and grandchildren who had been to America with the Project. There was willing testimony to the lasting value of the scheme in terms of friendships formed and perceptions altered. It was readily acknowledged that the ongoing success of the Ulster Project among the churches in Omagh is testament to the pioneering energy and drive of the late Fr. Kevin Mullan and his Protestant counterpart, Mr Ed Wiltshire.

Arthur outlined the origins of the Project. It began in the early 1970’s in Belfast, at the height of the troubles, when swathes of the city were under the control of paramilitaries and opportunities for young people to meet across the barricades were non-existent. In the early days 27 centres in 21 states across the USA and Canada hosted young people from 9 centres in Ulster including Belfast, Derry, Enniskillen and Omagh. At its height over 40 young persons from Omagh participated each year. Today the scheme operates with 7 centres in the United States and 5 in Northern Ireland

On 1st November 2025 two Archbishops, two Bishops and the President of the Methodist Church in Ireland together with a large congregation from both sides of the community met in Enniskillen to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Ulster Project. Fifty years on from its foundation in 1975 the Project has slimmed down.

Arthur concluded that a number of factors have contributed to the decline. Firstly, the Good Friday Agreement altered the perception of life in Northern Ireland in the USA. It appeared from the outside that peace had been established and the need for cross-community initiatives diminished. Covid put a halt to the Project for a time, a hiatus from which it has not fully recovered. The cost of living has made host families harder to find. Yet despite the perceived obstacles the Ulster Project continues to send young people from Northern Ireland on four-week visits to the United States where attitudes and values are challenged and unconscious prejudices replaced by trust, respect and friendship.

A lively discussion followed which touched on many current issues confronting schools, teachers and pupils. As ever in education desirable outcomes are easily identified – practical solutions less so. Mr Rainey was warmly thanked for his talk by club member, Jim McBain