Rural Community Network and the Community Relations Council are hosting two events to explore the nature of division in rural communities and specifically the experiences of those from the Border Counties. The first event will take place on 4 March in the Killyhevlin Hotel from 6pm to 9pm with a buffet supper on arrival. The second event will take place on 29 March in the Cavan Crystal Hotel from 10am to 1pm ending with lunch.

These events will investigate the concept of Rural Interfaces, and if and how they exist outside of an urban setting. Rural interfaces maybe related to town lands, extremely localised physical features, or a mindset that impacts on people's behaviour and social patterns.

Bebhinn McKinley, Rural Community Network, told us 'The events will explore the issues of division and segregation in rural areas particularly within a Border County context and how these impact and manifest in rural areas across the border.'

Duncan Morrow, Chief Executive Officer of the Community Relations Council, said 'The nature of interfaces within Belfast and some of our other towns is clearly visible but there are other forms of less visible interfaces. These may be turns in the road or divided villages, or cross border areas which have the potential to be open to confrontation and possible violence.'

Rural Community Network's Chief Executive Officer, Michael Hughes, said 'While these events do not explore the cost of division, they will highlight that in an era of scarce resources, the continuance of community engagement which requires two of everything or none of nothing because you can't or won't engage with each other is morally wrong.'

To book your place, contact Teresa McKernan at Rural Community Network on 028 8676 6670 or email teresa@ruralcommunitynetwork.org alternatively visit www.ruralcommunitynetwork.org