Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation

The Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation offers something truly unique. It’s not just a place of beauty nestled into the heart of Ireland’s Wicklow Mountains, but a sanctuary for peacebuilding and reconciliation. Standing right in front of it, you can almost feel the history radiating from its walls. Built in the 1800s as a small military barracks, Glencree has witnessed a variety of eras. From a time of insurgency and unrest to a temporary refuge for those fleeing the ravages of World War II, this place has known both hardship and hope. In the 1950s, it served as a temporary haven for children evacuated from war-torn Europe, with the French Sisters of Charity offering respite and care. But it is this past that ultimately paved the way for the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation to come into existence in 1974. Driven by the desire to prevent and transform conflict, Glencree offers a space to bring diverse communities together. The centre brings individuals and groups together to find pathways to reconciliation through facilitated dialogue, relationship-building, and shared learning. Its legacy transcends the Irish conflict, with a focus on fostering peacebuilding efforts globally. Glencree’s work on bridging divides and building a more peaceful world extends across continents, demonstrating that even in a world of conflict, a sanctuary for peace can be found.