FARSET COMMUNITY THINK TANKS PROJECT
(ISLAND PUBLICATIONS)

The following information has been provided by Michael Hall
[Last update 9 December 2011]

Background

1993 saw the launch of ‘Island Pamphlets’, a series of booklets which sought to open up debate on historical, cultural, socio-economic, political and other matters pertinent to Northern Irish society.

Community groups soon began to see the pamphlets as a means by which people at the grassroots could articulate their hopes and fears, and draw lessons from their experiences. To meet this need, the pamphlet series was re-launched as Farset Community Think Tanks Project. Since then, different sections of the community – young people, senior citizens, community activists, victims, ex-prisoners and others – have utilised the pamphlet format as a vehicle for exploring and debating important issues.

The process involves bringing together a small group of people – reflecting different opinions on a particular issue – who undertake a series of recorded discussions. A summary of these discussions is then prepared for publication as a pamphlet by the Project Co-ordinator (Michael Hall). At all stages, control of the process remains in the hands of the participants, with the Co-ordinator acting as editor, not as censor. This has allowed for the publication of some very challenging material, reflecting the rich diversity of opinion which exists in Northern Ireland – even within the same community.

Availability

All out-of-print titles (nos. 5, 9, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 20, 24, 29, 36 and 46) are available in links below as PDF files, as are a selection of other titles, .

All other titles are available at £2.00 each (inclusive of postage) from:

Note: Pamphlet No. 16 is no longer available. Its subject matter – a community development and conflict resolution process linking Northern Ireland and Moldova – has been described in greater detail in the book From Conflict Containment to Resolution (available at £6.50, inclusive of postage). A concise overview of the Northern Ireland/Moldovan initiative is also contained in Pamphlet No. 61 The search for conflict resolution.

Information on contents of pamphlets:
Island Pamphlets: original back cover synopses for pamphlets 1-98, (December 2011), [PDF; 353KB].

Full Title List

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (1993). Life on the Interface: Belfast ‘peaceline’ community groups confront common issues, (Island Pamphlets No.1). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (1993). Sacrifice on the Somme: Ulster’s ‘cross-community’ sacrifice in the First World War, (Island Pamphlets No.2). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (1993). Ulster's Scottish Connection: Exploring the many links between Ulster and Scotland, (Island Pamphlets No.3). Newtownabbey: Island Publications. [Out of Print]

Atkinson, Robert., and Atkinson, Robert. Jnr. (1993). Idle Hours: Belfast working-class poetry, (Island Pamphlets No.4). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (1993). Expecting the Future: A community play focusing on the effects of violence, (Island Pamphlets No.5), [PDF; 58kb]. Newtownabbey: Island Publications. [Out of Print]

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (1993). Ulster’s Shared Heritage: Exploring the cultural inheritance of the Ulster people, (Island Pamphlets No.6). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (1993). The Cruthin Controversy: A response to academic misrepresentation, (Island Pamphlets No.7). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (1994). Ulster’s European Heritage: A celebration of Ulster’s links with mainland Europe, (Island Pamphlets No.8). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (1994). Ulster’s Protestant Working Class: A community exploration, (Island Pamphlets No.9), (October 1994), [PDF; 74kb]. Newtownabbey: Island Publications. [Out of Print]

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (1995). The Battle of Moira: An adaptation of Sir Samuel Ferguson’s epic poem Congal, (Island Pamphlets No.10). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (1995). Beyond the Fife and Drum: Belfast’s Protestant Shankill Road debates the future, (Island Pamphlets No.11). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (1995). Belfast Community Economic Conference: Grassroots groups explore issues, (Island Pamphlets No.12). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (1995). A New Beginning: The Shankill Think Tank outlines its vision for the future, (Island Pamphlets No.13), [PDF; 69kb]. Newtownabbey: Island Publications. [Out of Print]

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (1995). Reinforcing Powerlessness: The hidden dimension to the Northern Ireland 'Troubles', (Island Pamphlets No.14), [PDF; 83kb]. Newtownabbey: Island Publications. [Out of Print]

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (1996). Ourselves Alone?: Voices from the nationalist working class, (Island Pamphlets No.15), (May 1996), [PDF; 96kb]. Newtownabbey: Island Publications. [Out of Print]

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (1996). Hidden Frontiers: Addressing deep-rooted violent conflict in N.Ireland and Moldova, (Island Pamphlets No.16). Newtownabbey: Island Publications. [Out of Print]

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (1997). The Death of the 'Peace Process'?: A survey of community perceptions, (Island Pamphlets No.17), (March 1997), [PDF; 79kb]. Newtownabbey: Island Publications. [Out of Print]

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (1998). At the Crossroads?: Further explorations by the Shankill Think Tank, (Island Pamphlets No.18). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (1999). Conflict Resolution: The missing element in the Northern Ireland peace process, (Island Pamphlets No.19), (June 1999), [PDF; 80kb]. Newtownabbey: Island Publications. [Out of Print]

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (1999). Young People Speak Out: An exploration of the needs of Nationalist youth in Belfast, (Island Pamphlets No.20), [PDF; 62kb]. Newtownabbey: Island Publications. [Out of Print]

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (1999). Puppets No More: An exploration of socio-economic issues by Protestant East Belfast, (Island Pamphlets No.21). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (1999), Beyond King Billy?: East Belfast Protestants explore cultural and identity-related issues, (Island Pamphlets No.22). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (1999). Are we not part of this city too?: Protestant working-class alienation in Derry, (Island Pamphlets No.23). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (1999), Orangeism and the Twelfth: Report of a cultural debate held in Protestant East Belfast, (Island Pamphlets No.24), [PDF; 68kb]. Newtownabbey: Island Publications. [Out of Print]

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (1999). Broadening Horizons: The impact of international travel on attitudes and perceptions, (Island Pamphlets No.25). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (1999). Before the ‘Troubles’: Senior citizens from Belfast’s Shankill Road reminisce, (Island Pamphlets No.26). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2000). Seeds of Hope: An exploration by the 'Seeds of Hope' (Republican and Loyalist) ex-prisoners Think Tank, (Island Pamphlets No.27), (March 2000), [PDF; 97kb]. Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2000). Towards a Community Charter: An exploration by the Falls Think Tank, (Island Pamphlets No.28). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2000). Restoring Relationships: A community exploration of restorative justice, (Island Pamphlets No.29), [PDF; 82kb]. Newtownabbey: Island Publications. [Out of Print]

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2000). Separated by Partition: An encounter between Protestants from Donegal and Belfast, (Island Pamphlets No.30). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2000). Left in Limbo: The experience of Republican prisoners’ children, (Island Pamphlets No.31). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2000). A question of ‘community relations’: Protestants discuss community relations issues, (Island Pamphlets No.32). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2001). Beyond Friendship: An exploration of the value of cross-border exchanges, (Island Pamphlets No.33). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2001). Catalysts for change: A Los Angeles / Northern Ireland / Moldovan exchange, (Island Pamphlets No.34). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2001). Dunmurry Reflections: Reminiscences from the outskirts’, (Island Pamphlets No.35). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2001). Community relations - an elusive concept: An exploration by community activists from North Belfast, (Island Pamphlets No.36), (October 2001), [PDF; 65kb]. Newtownabbey: Island Publications. [Out of Print]

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2001). Living In a mixed community: The experience of Ballynafeigh, Ormeau Road, (Island Pamphlets No.37). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2001). Cross-border reflections on 1916: Report of a cross-border conference, (Island Pamphlets No.38). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2001). The forgotten victims: The victims’ group H.U.R.T. reveal the legacy of 'The Troubles', (Island Pamphlets No.39), [PDF; 72kb]. Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2001). The unequal victims: Discussion by members of Loughgall Truth and Justice Campaign, (Island Pamphlets No.40), [PDF; 65kb]. Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2001). Citizenship in a modern society: Report of a public debate, (Island Pamphlets No.41). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2002). Whatever happened to the Peace Process?: Report of a public debate, (Island Pamphlets No.42). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2002). Turf Lodge Reminiscences: Discussion by the members of Voices Women’s Group, (Island Pamphlets No.43). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2002). In search of a Haven: Discussion by members of HAVEN victims support group, (Island Pamphlets No.44), [PDF; 70kb]. Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2002). An uncertain future: An exploration by Protestant community activists, (Island Pamphlets No.45). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2002). An education for the future: Reflections on educational provision in North Belfast, (Island Pamphlets No.46), [PDF; 46kb]. Newtownabbey: Island Publications. [Out of Print]

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2002). Towards a shared community charter: Falls/Ballymacarrett Joint Think Tank, (Island Pamphlets No.47). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2002). Community development - Socialism in practice?: Report of a public debate, (Island Pamphlets No.48). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2003). Shared Memories: Reminiscences by the 50-Plus Springfield Inter-Community Group, (Island Pamphlets No.49). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2003). ‘It’s good to talk’: The experiences of a West Belfast mobile phone network, (Island Pamphlets No.51). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2003). A lifetime’s legacy: An exploration by members of WAVE Trauma Centre, (Island Pamphlets No.52). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2003). A journey towards healing: Reflections on an American model of restorative justice, (Island Pamphlets No.53). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2003). The East Belfast Interface (1): Protestant young people speak out, (Island Pamphlets No.54). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2003). The East Belfast Interface (2): Catholic young people speak out, (Island Pamphlets No.55). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2003). Beginning a debate: An exploration by Ardoyne community activists, (Island Pamphlets No.56). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2003). Reflections on Violence: A cross-cultural exploration of the Northern Ireland conflict, (Island Pamphlets No.57), [PDF; 58kb]. Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2003). Making road maps to Peace: Report of an Israeli - Palestinian workshop held in Belfast, (Island Pamphlets No.58), [PDF; 71kb]. Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2004). Home and Away: Reminiscences on community-based children’s holiday schemes, (Island Pamphlets No.59). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2004). A Safe Place: An exploration of the work of the Koram Centre, Strabane, (Island Pamphlets No.60). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2004). The search for resolution: Lessons drawn from a community development strategy, (Island Pamphlets No.61), [PDF; 60kb]. Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2004). ‘Crossing the Line’: Report of a community-based cross-border conference, (Island Pamphlets No.62). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2004). At a new crossroads?: An overview of community anxieties, (Island Pamphlets No.63). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2004). Exploring the marching issue: Views from Nationalist North Belfast, (Island Pamphlets No.64), (July 2004), [PDF; 61kb]. Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2004). Reflections on the ‘peace dividend’: The views of Nationalist women in North Belfast, (Island Pamphlets No.65). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2004). ‘A tale of two sister cities’: An evaluation by women from Belfast and Dublin, (Island Pamphlets No.66). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2004). ‘Look at me, not at my disability’: An exploration by the Disability Think Tank, (Island Pamphlets No.67). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2004). The ‘Good Friday Agreement’ - where to now?: Cross-border conference report, (Island Pamphlets No.68), [PDF; 90kb]. Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2005). Finding common ground: An exploration by young people from both sides of the East Belfast interface, (Island Pamphlets No.69). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2005). Grassroots leadership (1): Recollections by May Blood and Joe Camplisson, (Island Pamphlets No.70). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2005). Grassroots leadership (2): Recollections by Fr. Des Wilson and Tommy Gorman, (Island Pamphlets No.71). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2005). Grassroots leadership (3): Recollections by Jim McCorry and Jackie Hewitt, (Island Pamphlets No.72). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2005). Self-harming and Suicide – searching for answers: an exploration by the SPEAK Project, Short Strand, (Island Pamphlets No.73). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2005). Still in Limbo?: An exploration by young people from Tar Anall Youth Project, (Island Pamphlets No.74). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2005). Grassroots leadership (4): Recollections by Jackie Redpath and Eilish Reilly, (Island Pamphlets No.75). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2005). Grassroots leadership (5): Recollections by Louis West and Anne Gallagher, (Island Pamphlets No.76). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2005). Grassroots leadership (6): Recollections by June Campion and Billy Hutchinson, (Island Pamphlets No.77). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2006). Grassroots leadership (7): Recollections by Michael Hall, (Island Pamphlets No.78). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2006). Loyalism in Transition: (1) A new reality?, (Island Pamphlets No.79), [PDF; 53kb]. Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2007). Loyalism in Transition (2): Learning from others in conflict, (Island Pamphlets No.80), [PDF; 89kb]. Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2007). Building bridges at the grassroots: The experience of Suffolk-Lenadoon Interface Group, (Island Pamphlets No.81), [PDF; 85kb]. Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2007). Reconciliation: a false goal? (Island Pamphlets No.82), [PDF; 90kb]. Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2007). Loyalism in Transition (3): Is there a shared Ulster heritage?, (Island Pamphlets No.83), [PDF; 82kb]. Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2007). A shared sacrifice for peace, (Island Pamphlets No.84), [PDF; 311kb]. Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2008). ‘A future for Cooperation’, (Island Pamphlets No.85). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2008). Building cross-border relationships, (Island Pamphlets No.86). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed.) (2008). Divided by History?, (Island Pamphlets No.87). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed) (2008). A grassroots achievement (Island Pamphlets No.88). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed) (2008). Young People and the ‘peace process’, (Island Pamphlets No.89). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed) (2008). Self-help at the grassroots (Island Pamphlets No.90), [PDF; 102kb]. Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed) (2008). Suffolk-Lenadoon Reminiscences (Island Pamphlets No.91). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed) (2009). Preventing a return to conflict (Island Pamphlets No.92), [PDF; 81kb].. Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed) (2009). Lenadoon Community Forum (Island Pamphlets No.93). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed) (2010). Death by Postcode (Island Pamphlets No.94). Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed) (2010). ‘Time stands still’ (Island Pamphlets No.95), [PDF; 79kb]. Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed) (2011). ‘Republicanism in transition: (1) The need for a debate’ (Island Pamphlets No.96), [PDF; 280kb]. Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed) (2011). ‘Republicanism in transition: (2) Beginning a debate’ (Island Pamphlets No.97), [PDF; 302kb]. Newtownabbey: Island Publications.

Hall, Michael. (ed) (2011). ‘Republicanism in transition: (3) Irish Republicanism today’ (Island Pamphlets No.98), [PDF; 318kb]. Newtownabbey: Island Publications.