STONEWALK 2000: DUBLIN, REPUBLIC OF IRELAND TO BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND.

Why Stonewalk Ireland?

Sacred Stone - Sacred Land

It may seem a strange idea: Ten or so travelers depart from the United States in order to pull a 2000 pound memorial stone from Dublin, Republic of Ireland to Belfast, Northern Ireland. After all, what business is it of these Americans to march through areas torn apart by violence?

Furthermore, what can a stone do for a land that has been devastated by violence and hatred? Yes, indeed. This does seem a strange idea.

The memorial stone is dedicated to Unknown Civilians Killed In War. The people pulling it are peacemakers and individuals who wish to tell both sides of the sufferings of the troubles in Northern Ireland by simply allowing the stone to speak for itself. The procession is called STONEWALK and while it may seem strange, it is also strangely appropriate.

What business is it of people from other countries to walk through areas torn apart by violence? World peace is everyone’s business working for peace in every corner of the globe is the responsibility of all people who care about ending violence.

What can a stone do for a land that has been devastated by suffering and hatred? It can speak of death its cold, flat granite can reveal the horrific results of violence in a very tangible way.

After all, now is a time when choices are being made that will determine whether people in Northern Ireland will live in peace at the beginning of the twenty-first century. Thus, it is time to remind all human beings that the true costs of armed conflict are cold, hard, and unbearable.

Pulling the memorial stone requires a great deal of human effort on the part of hundreds of people on both sides of the troubles. The granite slab, with the steel caisson, weighs over 4,000 lb. and will be pulled from Dublin to Belfast over a period of two weeks.

In the summer of 2001, the stone will be shipped from Belfast to Liverpool where it will begin its long journey to London. Just as the peace process is long and difficult, so also is this journey. It requires that the people of Ireland and England join those who have come from North America, pulling this heavy load through cities, towns and villages, honoring civilian victims on both sides of the conflict.

The memorial stone began its journey in 1999 at The Peace Abbey in Sherborn, Massachusetts and moved through 106 cities and towns down the east coast of the United States, covering 500 miles in 33 days. It arrived in Washington DC on the 54th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima. For citizens of the United States, it offered an opportunity to reflect on the horrific consequences of armed conflict.

It is our hope and prayer that the movement of the stone through Ireland will be a small, yet important expression of our shared grief and common desire to live in peace.

- Kari Nicewander