John Hume
Member of the British and European
Parliaments
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The Abbey
Historical Society is an excellent cross community
venture. I believe that it is in promoting
understanding between people that we will achieve
an ultimate goal of a truly peaceful society at
ease with itself . I congratulate and commend the
Abbey Historical Society for their work in
providing this facility.
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David Andrews
Irish Minister of Foreign Affairs
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I appreciate the
contribution being made by your organisation to the
process of peace and reconciliation and the
promotion of improved relations between people
throughout Ireland and between Ireland and Great
Britain. I am therefore pleased to inform you that
it is possible to provide £20,000 assistance
to the Abbey Historical Society for the current
year, towards the enlisting of local artefacts and
architectural sites in the Newtownabbey area. May I
congratulate you on your achievements
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The Lord O'Neill
Shanes Castle Antrim
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I
write to confirm that I would be happy to join you
in 'The Whitehouse Project' and to help the cause
in whatever way I can. I think it is a most
interesting undertaking in view of it's important
associations with the early History of Ulster and
Northern Ireland. It is only unfortunate that the
planners have allowed so much development around
it. It would undoubtedly benefit from a larger site
which would allow the Building to be shown in a
more original and sympathetic
setting.
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Sean Collins
Mayor of Drogheda
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Over the
last six years I have visited The White House
project on a number of occasions. The work carried
on here is most important to a better understanding
of the two traditions present in Ireland. The Abbey
Historical Society is to be congratulated for its
on going endeavours to ensure a future for The
White House.
Since the advent
of the Good Friday Agreement, centres such as The
White House will provide an epicentre for clear
debate and discussion on the two traditions that
exist in Ireland and for a better understanding of
these traditions in the future. The proposal to
restore The White House as such a centre is most
important and inspiring. I earnestly hope that the
project will have a successful outcome. I have
recently been made a member of the board and I look
forward to the day when this project is completed.
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Alderman Jim Bingham
Mayor of Newtownabbey
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I am fully aware
of the work being carried out by the Abbey
Historical Society at the Whitehouse Bawn. This
building is the oldest in Newtownabbey and the
surrounding area. This Committee is a good example
of cross community work in action, under the Peace
and Reconciliation scheme of the European
Community.
The Committee has
also been working with Drogheda Historical Society
in Southern Ireland for approximately six years,
and visits have taken place. I have met the Mayor
of Drogheda, Sean Collins, when he visited the
Whitehouse in 1999 along with about 90 other
visitors. Abbey Historical Society has also visited
Drogheda and many new friendships have been forged.
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