‘Flight of the Swallows’ anthology launched by Foyle Network Foundation

Talented Derry harpist, Maeve Coyle, provided a beautiful welcome to the launch of ‘Flight of the Swallows: Journeys of Lived Experiences’ in the city’s Playhouse.

The event, which took place on Tuesday evening, was an inspirational and joyous celebration of the resilience and creativity of the women involved in the lived experience participation group of Foyle Network Foundation (Foyle Foodbank).

‘Flight of the Swallows’ is an anthology of their stories and poems described by journalist Felicity McCall, who penned the foreword as “powerful, compelling, harrowing and beautiful”.

“It is a testimony to all they have achieved, all they will achieve, and is an outstretched hand for those who will follow them. Buy it, read it, live it,” she added.

Opening the launch, Karen Mullan, director of Foyle Network Foundation explained: “In the summer of 2023, we established a lived experience participation group - The Swallows. 

Flight of the Swallows launch - @DerryNow digital report thread. https://t.co/79ZibJ3rLf

— Catherine McGinty (@CathMcGin_Tea) April 17, 2025

“We are delighted and honoured that this group of women have not only written and shared their stories in this book, but they are and continue to be a voice for those in need, and raise awareness of the reality of poverty across Derry and beyond. 

“We would like to pay tribute to Pam, Charlene, Angela, Hester and Kim, who are with us here tonight. Your willingness to share your journeys has been both inspiring and humbling,” said Ms Mullan, who then read a message of goodwill to the swallows from Martin Johnstone of the Trussell Trust which supports Foyle network Foundation.

“I have so much enjoyed being in your company. Wisdom and compassion are often nurtured in a caldron of struggle; you have both in spades. May your words and writing encourage others to fly and be a constant reminder of your own journeys and shared commitment to a better society,” said Mr Johnstone. 

Felicity McCall said she had been delighted when Garbhán Downey, managing editor of Colmcille Press which published ‘Flight of the Swallows’ had asked her to write the foreword. 

“The book touches on many key things that I feel strongly about, issues such as poverty and the strength of women in particular, coming together, not just to survive, not just to thrive, but to move forward with huge courage and generosity of spirit to bring others with them, and lead the way forward,” she said.

“It was a privilege to get the proof copy of this book. There was such richness in each page, such wisdom, such power, such courage, such sharing. I hope these swallows will fly high.

“And there is a great generosity in spirit, I think, in sharing our toughest times, our biggest challenges, our lows as well as our highs and to make this available to others. Without that sort of generosity, we cannot move forward,” said Ms McCall. 

Angela, one of the Swallows, said the group had supported the idea of collectively setting about creating their own collection of voices to help others.

“The writing of this was both cathartic and challenging, a real labour of love,” she said. 

We stripped away the layers of our own pain and experience to expose a greater truth and to gain our wings, so to speak. 

“In all our traumas, we found camaraderie, peace and deeper friendship. 

“What we thought we needed to hide, brought light to our lives, a new meaning and a pursuit of helping others,” said Angela.

The music at the launch was provided by the Encore Choir and Joe Deery and Roisin McCauley. 

Speaking to The Derry News, Hester, one of the Swallows said she had got involved with the group because she had gone to the Foyle Network Foundation’s foodbank for help, for a benefits check.

She added: “I was there for six months to a year when they asked us if we would like to take part in a participation group called Swallows. One of the sessions we had, they came up with, ‘Do you want to write a book?’ We all looked at each other and said, ‘Yeah, we’ll give it a go’.

“I did not think six months down the line, here we are at the book launch. 

“We’re here. We’re telling our stories and we are hoping it gives hope to everybody who reads it. All our stories inspire us.

“The central message of the book is, ‘You are not alone’. You may think you are alone when you are sitting in your wee house. You may feel there is no hope but there is hope out there. 

“The Foyle Network Foundation, they do give you hope. You are not just a number, you are part of the community,” said Hester.

Hester’s sister author, Kim, said the message of ‘Flight of the Swallows’ was to give hope.

“You aren’t alone,” she added. “Step forward. Be brave enough to come forward because the help is there. 

“The Foyle network Foundation are very, very, very good. I can’t praise them enough.

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“I got involved in Swallows to, hopefully, help other people, other members to even step up to give their story and change some policies moving forward. 

“I wrote about from a very young age living in poverty with my mother after a split home. Even when I thought I was going to conquer the world when I left school, it was a whole different network. I ended up having two jobs and I still couldn’t meet my rent and it is still happening today and it is wrong,” said Kim, who said she would advise other people in the same position not to be shy.

“Step forward. Foyle Network Foundation is there and they are amazing.”

Grainne McCool was the Creative Writing Facilitator on Flight of the Swallows. Bridget Murray was the Illustrator, and Bethany Moore and Louise Kane from Foyle Network Foundation facilitated the anthology.

Flight of the Swallows: Journeys of Lived Experiences is published by Colmcille Press, costs £10, and is available from the Foyle Network Foundation (Foyle Foodbank).