The film takes a contemporary 21st century look at the Irish border, its hinterlands, its communities and its people. The subject of the most recent violent conflict (1969-1998) is given due consideration but the main focus is on efforts to build bridges across the border in light of the ending of violent conflict. Therefore, the border region is considered as a potentially important space for engendering peace and reconciliation on the island rather than as a source of conflict.

Features in the film include: an examination of Derry's potential as the cross-border capital of the North-West; a focus on Border Arts, a community group in North Tyrone involved in cross-border, cross-community cultural activities with a music and carnival focus; Glaslough, County Monaghan, as a feature film location; eco-tourism and the work of Green Box; the opportunities and obstacles faced by cross-border groups; the perspective of border unionist politicians and a northern border Protestant victims’ representative on the border and cross-border co-operation; the GAA Ulster Council attitude to the border; smuggling across the North Louth/South Armagh border; and an exploration of in-migration (Lithuanian, Polish and Portuguese-speaking) in response to the Irish Peace Process & Celtic Tiger.

An important focus of the film is on British-Irish reconciliation and partnership, as well as the peace and reconciliation work of local cross-border, cross-community projects. Care has been taken to give voice to British/unionist and Irish/nationalist groups, North and South, with the aim of promoting cross-community relations and highlighting the changing nature of the border and the increasing cultural diversity of the border region.

Target Audience

The objective of this educational documentary film project is to engage a wide audience on the transformation of the border including, university students, schools, voluntary and community groups, as well as the general public through television broadcast.

A primary motivating factor for the film has been a concern with the lack of media interest in the dynamic and valuable work of peace and reconciliation cross-border, cross-community projects, and a desire to redress this imbalance.