One of Northern Ireland's best-known soccer clubs, Linfield, set in the heart of one of the most staunchly loyalist parts of Belfast, is to benefit from a Government reconciliation fund grant.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Brian Cowen confirmed today that Linfield FC - who will receive £10,000 - is among 38 organisations to get grants totalling more than £850,000.
Linfield were said by Mr Cowen's department to "aim to organise and develop a sustainable programme of cross-community and cross-border links through soccer and to further their antisectarianism programme".
The minister said the 1998 Belfast Agreement had recognised and valued the work being done by organisations to develop reconciliation and mutual respect between the various communities and traditions in Northern Ireland and between north and south in Ireland, and saw such work as having a vital role in consolidating peace and political stability.
He added: "These grants are a direct response by the Irish government to the commitment made in the agreement to enhance financial assistance for the work of reconciliation by these groups.
"In the Good Friday agreement, the people of Ireland endorsed a future in which we could collectively work together in a spirit of peace, friendship and mutual respect."
Other groups receiving money as a result of the latest fund share-out include the Cappagh Accordion Band, from Co Monaghan, described as a group of amateur musicians in the marching band tradition from the minority (Protestant) community, who are looking to further the involvement of more young people of both communities. They are to get £4,600.
The biggest grant, of £244,000, will go to Co-operation Ireland, founded in 1979 to respond to the challenge of conflict and violence in Northern Ireland.
The organisation runs reconciliation programmes for young people on a north-south basis.
PA