Holywell Testimony Series

Episode 13 - Emma McGinley - First Released 31/8/17

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not in any way represent the views of the Holywell Trust, its partners or their funders. 

Emma is a volunteer at the youth organisation REACH Across and throughout her testimony she describes the role the organisation has played in her life from her teenage years in broadening her life experiences and meeting people from different cultures. She openly discusses the difficulties REACH Across faces in terms of funding, how the lack of funds hampers their work and her views on the current peace process.

Episode 12 - Liam Campbell - First Released 24/8/17

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not in any way represent the views of the Holywell Trust, its partners or their funders. 

Recorded back in March 2017, Eamonn conducted an interview with Liam Campbell, Community Relations Officer at the Playhouse Theatre. During the conversation Liam discusses his opinion on the "Fragile Peace" in Northern Ireland, his viewpoints on the last Assembly Elections and his role within the Playhouse Theatre. Liam also informs us of the "No Place Like Home" Project, a theatrical show developed from the original stories of the young parents and their experiences of homelessness and featured song, satire, drama and a very powerful message about the often overlooked issue of homelessness in this city and beyond. 

Episode 11 - Joe Thompson - First Released 10/8/17

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not in any way represent the views of the Holywell Trust, its partners or their funders. 

Extern was officially opened in the city of Derry/Londonderry to influence children, adults and communities affected by social exclusion throughout Ireland. Eamonn's guest on this week's Podcast is Joe Thompson who works for Extern. He gives his viewpoint on the fragile peace we are experiencing in the city, how he holds hope on our ability to sustain that peace and how Extern's work tackling exclusion and preventing young people getting on the treadmill of poverty, unemployment and crime helps continue our city's peace building efforts.

Episode 10 - Sean O’Donnell - First Released 27/7/17

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not in any way represent the views of the Holywell Trust, its partners or their funders. 

Sean O'Donnell was only a Primary School student the day the Good Friday Agreement was signed. In this Testimony Sean discusses what it was like growing up in Strathfoyle in the transition from the Conflict in Northern Ireland to the Peace Process. Sean speaks highly of attending Oakgrove Integrated School as well as the role a past guest on this Podcast, Eamonn O'Donnell, played in getting him out of experimenting with drugs and directing him towards the work he now fulfils with Extern.

Episode 9 - Jonathan Burgess - First Released 20/7/17

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not in any way represent the views of the Holywell Trust, its partners or their funders. 

Growing up on the Victoria Road Jonathan Burgess slept underneath the view of a UVF Scarf, a symbol of his rebellion against the aggression toward the Protestant Community in the City following Bloody Sunday. Jonathan discusses how his attitude changed as he grew up and broadened his horizons whilst studying in Liverpool. As a writer Jonathan has tackled many topics associated with the Northern Ireland Conflict, giving a voice to those whose stories have never been heard before. Stories that can be found in his plays "The Exodus" and "The Pride of the Marching Bands" to name a few. He discusses the impact of his work and how is role within the Playhouse upon his return from England helped him perfect his skills as a Theatre Producer.

Episode 8 - John Porter - First Released 14/7/17

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not in any way represent the views of the Holywell Trust, its partners or their funders. 

John Porter is an outdoor pursuits instructor who has worked young people across Northern Ireland throughout the country's conflict to the present day. John shares with us his experiences of the Northern Ireland Conflict from his beginnings in Rosemount participating in the riots during the 1981 Hunger Strike and getting involved in outdoor pursuits which was key to John getting off the streets and forming a viable career path. 

Episode 7 - Maureen Wilkinson - First Released 6/7/17

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not in any way represent the views of the Holywell Trust, its partners or their funders. 

In 2008 Emmet Shiels, the brother of Maureen Wilkinson, was murdered in Creggan whilst trying to chase away 4 armed men whose objective on this night was to shot an alleged drug dealer in the city. Maureen gives us an insight into the type of kind hearted and quick witted person Emmet was, the events of the night he was killed, the media coverage that followed, the Police investigation, how involving the police was seen by some within the community and how through the medium of Drama she was able to move on with her life. 

Episode 6 - Liam McCloskey - First Released 23/6/17

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not in any way represent the views of the Holywell Trust, its partners or their funders. 

This recording was conducted in the Holywell Trust "The Junction" Room in late 2016 during a Testimony Session. During this session an audience listened to the testimony of Liam McCloskey, a former Republican prisoner at Long Kesh. Liam was the cellmate of Kevin Lynch who died during the Hunger Strike and Liam would follow Kevin into the strike. Liam will tell you how his body shut down during his hunger strike, what convinced him to come off the strike and stepping away from the republican movement to accepting the spirit of God. Liam shares stories of his work after prison and delivering peace and reconciliation seminars. 

Episode 5 - Derek Moore - First Released 19/6/17

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not in any way represent the views of the Holywell Trust, its partners or their funders. 

Eamonn Baker returns with a brand new edition of the Testimony Series and this time his interviewee is Derek Moore. Derek originally hails from The Fountain area of the City. He discusses his transition from the Building Site to the Londonderry Bands Forum, his role within the forum and how the forum impacted on the 2013 and 2014 Fleadh in Derry and Sligo respectively. Derek also discusses representing the Bands Forum at the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis and how he had his eyes opened by the experience. 

Episode 3 - Nigel Hussey - First Released 12/5/17

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the interviewer/interviewee and do not in any way represent the views of the Holywell Trust, its partners or their funders. 

Our testimony series continues with a conversation with Nigel Hussey. In great humour and honesty Nigel recalls his employ at a local supermarket that was targeted by 10 viable bomb attacks, numerous robberies and one that included a gun being pointed to his head. He also discusses an explosion near the Northern Counties during his time as manager of the establishment as well as Bloody Sunday and the days that followed plus his own conversion to the Catholic Church and how it affected his relationship with his family.