Remarkable Glenties woman Breezy Willow Kelly has been formally recognised as a ‘Quiet Peacebuilder’ by the John and Pat Hume Foundation.
Breezy, through the simple tradition of baking bread, promotes peace in her community and worldwide.
Breezy’s ‘Raking the Ashes’ events have also been hugely popular nights for bringing people together in Glenties.
Her philosophy is a simple one: Peace begins at home.
When Breezy bakes, she throws open her windows to let the ‘aroma of peace’ drift in four directions.
As part of Peace Summit 2024, the John and Pat Hume Foundation, with the support of the International Fund for Ireland, held an event to Recognise The Quiet Peacebuilders on Tuesday in the Guildhall Derry.
Mayor of Derry Lillian Seenoi Barr, Paddy Harte, Chair IFI and Daphne Trimble with Breezy Willow Kelly at Recognise The Quiet Peacebuilders on Tuesday 26 November 2024
Tim Attwood said: “The John and Pat Hume Foundation and the Peace Summit Partners wanted to recognise the Quiet Peacebuilders, who during the Troubles and today, quietly and courageously promoted peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and on cross border.”
Tim Attwood added; “The BBC’s Fergal Keane once said ‘Blessed are the peacemakers who were there from the start’. We owe a debt of gratitude to the men and women who in their streets and communities, in NI and on a cross border basis, promoted peace and reconciliation in the darkest days of the violence and continue to show exemplar leadership today.”
Paddy Harte, IFI Chair said; “The International Fund for Ireland is proud to support this important event which acknowledges quiet peacebuilders. These individuals have been instrumental in delivering the relative peace that we all take for granted today. They are the real heroes of the Peace Process and continue to deliver positive leadership and community transformation every day.”
The full list of Quiet Peacebuilders to be honoured is:
- Elaine Burns Kane
- Janice Beggs
- Davy Adams
- Bethany Moore
- Damian McNally
- Deirdre MacBride
- Brian Caskey
- Maureen Hetherington
- Marie Brown
- Pauline Ross
- Breezy Willow
- Ivy Goddard
- Stephen Hughes
- Julia Kee
- Anne Marie Bell
- Geraldine O’Kane and Cathy Rourke
- Eamon Deane
- PJ Hallinan
- Frank Gaffikin
- Jackie Redpath