Pupils bury 'peace capsule'

Inscription on lid of capsule speaks of peace

Students from both sides of the community have taken part in a special ceremony to dedicate and bury a 'peace capsule' at the Ulster Museum in Belfast.

The idea was the inspiration of the eight head girls at St Louise's Comprehensive College in Belfast during the run-up to the millennium celebrations.

They decided a 'peace time capsule' would be the best way to express their hopes and aspirations for a peaceful future in Northern Ireland.

Pupils filled the capsule with symbols of peace

Students filled the inter-schools peace capsule with items from peace projects they had completed and with writings about their aims for the coming years.

The lid of the capsule was inscribed with the words: 'The children of reconciliation will be the parents of peace'.

Dannielle Flannery from the inter-school planning committee said:

"What that signifies is that we are the future generation of Northern Ireland, therefore it is down to us to lay the foundations."

VIP guests

Several VIPs attended the dedication ceremony at the Ulster Museum on Tuesday morning.

Among those who screwed the lid on the capsule were the Catholic Primarte Cardinal Daly and Leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party John Hume.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Hume said the pupils' feelings matched those of the wider community of Northern Ireland.

"Inspite of our difficulties and our impasse the mood among the people is still very powerful for implementing all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement.

"I am sure we can do that and the sooner we do it the better."

Pupils from 19 schools were involved

Representatives from other churches also attended; they included the Very Rev Samuel Hutchinson and the Very Rev Dean Moller.

The time capsule will be opened in 25 years time.

Some 19 schools from both sides of the community took part in the project.

They were: St Louise's Comprehensive College; Acquinas Grammar School; Christian Brothers' School; Corpus Christi College; Hazelwood Integrated College; Hunterhouse College; Methodist College; Rathmore Grammar School; Strathearn School; St Genevieve's High School; St Malachy's College; St Rose's High School; Victoria College and Wellington College.