Students from Dundalk and Belfast showcase Entwined Futures short film

Coláiste Chú Chulainn in Dundalk, as part of their continued involvement with Co-operation Ireland and their Entwined Histories and Entwined Futures projects, worked with the students of Lagan College Belfast to create a short film on the themes of Citizenship, Identity and Sovereignty. The premiere for the schools' collaboration took place at the County Museum in Dundalk last Thursday.

Entwined Futures brings schools north and south of the border together to explore the themes of citizenship, identity, and sovereignty through the lens of the past with a view to both improving understanding of how the present has been shaped by historic events.

It looks beyond divisions to recognise common ties and how people can overcome differences to work together for common goals.

^{Above: Sadbh O Reilly, Dept of Foreign Affairs; Thomas Sharkey, Principal Colaiste Chu Chulainn; Matt Gamble, Co-operation Ireland (photo: Arthur Kinahan)}

As part of the project, the students attended a team building day in Newcastle Co Down, two workshops in Belfast and Newry and an overnight at Greenhill’s adventure centre as they mapped out an explored their chosen theme.

Over the course of these days working together, the Coláiste Chú Chulainn students say they had fun getting to know their fellow students in Lagan College, learned about script writing, film production and researched the themes of citizenship.
This work cumulated in the short film both schools collaborated on.

The students say that among the learning outcomes from working together on the project, they have a greater understanding and appreciation for the complexity of Irish history and different perspectives. They say they have a greater understanding of how the past continues to shape contemporary issues around citizenship, identity and sovereignty

The students also say they made positive relationships with peers across the island and can work with those from different backgrounds. They add that they feel more confident in meeting and working with new people.

The organisers of the project say that the short film will be posted on the Co-Operation Ireland Youtube channel.