Banbridge and the pub with no beer
As I head towards 50 I want to say some thank yous
A few months before I was to finish in Galway I didn’t have a notion what I would do next. I had gone with an idea that I may start a church as part of the Christ Unites Ireland vision. As time went on I became more aware of what that would mean and I just couldn't see myself doing it. I also became aware that my time living with this vision was coming to an end. I had thought it would be my life’s work but then one night as I walked home I had a sense that after 3 years my time was done.
The Peace talks had started in The North which would lead in time to the Good Friday Agreement. I remember sending a fax from Galway to each party urging them not to forfeit this chance for peace. Did any of us believe even though we were working for peace that it would actually come? It still is the most incredible event that occurred in my lifetime.
Judith who had been with me almost since my return to ‘the fold’ had an idea that I could be part of a new church plant in Banbridge, County Down. There didn't seem to any other options so I went with it and after working as a tour guide for Americans mainly in England I returned to the North to live in Banbridge.
Banbridge was only about 13 miles from my hometown but it was quite a different place. Notably, people of different religious persuasions lived together.
I struggled to find my place here but as I now lived I was motivated by a vision. Just before I moved to Banbridge I had a sense that I should start a Pub with no Beer. I was surprised when I learned that the interior of the church had been designed for such a venture. I gained a place at the Ulster Business School where for 4 months I was funded to launch the venture. In the end, it didn’t make it as a business but it did run for six months as a community venture. It seemed everything had a time limit.
I fell back on those hospitality skills and gained work at a local hotel. I then secured a part-time position working with the homeless in my hometown.
I hadn’t realised it fully at the time but this was the way for me to make peace with my town before I would leave the island of Ireland.
Thank yous go to those folks who extended friendship to me during those 2 years in Banbridge. Trevor and Nina continue to look after me when I return home.
Best day,
g
