The Cecil Frances Alexander Celebrated Project, a cross-community heritage initiative, will hold its final evaluation meeting at the Grassroots Café on John Wesley Street in Strabane later this month, marking the end of a year-long programme of events.

Delivered through the PEACEPLUS Programme with support from the Special EU Programmes Body and Derry City and Strabane District Council, the project brought together communities from Strabane, Derry, Donegal and Killeter to celebrate the life and work of the poet and hymn writer.

A highlight was a concert at Christ Church in Strabane’s Bowling Green, where choirs from across the region performed. The event featured the world premiere of a new hymn, “The Angels Stand Around Us All”, written by Louis Fields and Nicky Morton of St Columb’s Cathedral Choir. Participating groups included the Inishowen Gospel Choir, St Columb’s Cathedral Choir, Strabane Chorale, Strabane Controlled Primary School Choir and Strabane Academy Choir.

A “Bright and Beautiful” Heritage Bus Tour travelled to sites associated with Alexander, including churches in Strabane, Killeter, Baronscourt, Fahan and Derry. The tour concluded at her grave in Derry City Cemetery with a shared rendition of “There Is a Green Hill Far Away”.

Other activities included cross-community writing workshops led by Kathy Donaghy, intergenerational lantern-making workshops, the All Souls Lantern Walk through Strabane, and an evening of music and reflection at The Old Rectory in Fahan.

Sinéad Smyth, project coordinator, said the initiative demonstrated how heritage, music and storytelling can unite people. She noted that participants from different traditions found common ground through the legacy of Alexander, whose compassion, creativity and social conscience remain relevant.