Mary Montague

During a bad period of the troubles Mary was Corrymeela's community worker. She believed that when people meet, new possibilities emerge as people begin to recognise the humanity of the other. Mary frequently sought out and met with community groups in those areas that bore the greatest impact of Northern Ireland's conflict. I remember Mary telling me of one such meeting.

She was visiting a group of women who lived in the shadow of a peace wall and heard about their hopes and dreams. In the course of conversation Mary told them about a similar group of mothers, a very short distance away but on the other side of wall. Immediately the group was suspicious, and the following conversation took place.

A member of the women's group started:
"What did you tell them about us?"
"Nothing," said Mary. "I just thought you may be interested to know that I have met with them."
"What are they like?"
"Well if you have questions you would like to ask them, I will ask them the next time I visit. Then I'll come and tell you what they said."

So Mary began a process of shuttling questions and responses across the wall. The more they knew the more curious they became, until both the Protestant and Catholic group couldn't resist the opportunity to meet together at a Residential programme in Corrymeela's centre on the North Antrim coast.

During the residential, as the mums spent time together, chatted about their children, and their community, the barriers began to come down. They found they had so much in common. In fact they wanted the same thing - somewhere safe for their children to play and better amenities for their community. So these two groups of mums from two communities living side by side, but separated by a so called 'peace wall', (more a symbol of fear than peace), came together on several occasions at the Corrymeela Centre. They talked, listened and decided to work together. They called themselves the 'Over The Wall Gang'.

Some time later as each group looked for funding for the projects they wanted to develop, they thought of the other group. Quite remarkable each group decided that they wouldn't accept funding from any source, unless the other group also received the same funding.

At those Residentials at Corrymeela the children had their own programme. On one occasion they watched a clown as he came into the room, dressed in an outlandish costume. The more the children laughed at him, the sadder the clown became. Until he was crumpled up on the ground sobbing. They recognised that feeling, being laughed at because you were different. That improvised piece of drama led to the children talking about their experiences of bullying, in school.

They then began talking about their favourite pastime throwing bricks over the Peace Wall.

Since they met a day ago Paddy and William (not their real names), a Catholic and Protestant had become the best of mates. Paddy was the best shot in the district at throwing bricks.

"Paddy what if you hit William?"
"Oh I wouldn't hit him"
"How is that?"
"I'm a good shot. I wouldn't aim at Paddy."
"But sometimes you can't see who you will hit, the wall is too high."
Paddy thought, long and hard. "Yea you're right. I'm going to have to climb up to the top of the ruined house where I can get a really good view."
"But Paddy, last weekend you could have injured Billy with a stone, because then you didn't know him. How would you feel about that now?"
"Bad!" said Paddy.
Eventually Paddy and the rest of the group decided that they would stop throwing stones.

A couple of weeks later, Mary was passing through the area where those children lived and saw some of the children hanging around opposite the one place where you could see through the wall. She was curious as to what was going on. So she stopped. The children said they wait there everyday on the way back from school, to wave to their new friends on the Protestant side. It's the way they keep in touch with their new friends.

Mary was courageous. I remember going with her to meet a paramilitary leader at a time of great tension. This man was known for his violence and unpredictability. But we went. We met. Because Mary believed that in the meeting, face to face, there was the possibility a something creative, something new, something that may sow a seed a peace would be planted.

Mary was courageous, creative and caring. There are so many who, today, give are thankful that they knew Mary and benefited from her skills, wisdom and friendship. I am among them.

Mary was a follower of Jesus. She did what she thought he would have done. And she expected his miracles to follow. In my view they frequently did.

I count one of the greatest privileges of my life to have known Mary and to have been among those who worked alongside her.

Trevor Williams (Leader of Corrymeela Community 1993-2003)