50 Years of Camphill in Ireland 
Anniversary Book Project

On Candlemas Day 02-02-2022 Camphill in the Republic of Ireland will celebrate its 50th birthday. The story of Camphill in Ireland is unique, remarkable and needs to be celebrated and documented for posterity. In 1938, Dr. König, the founder of Camphill, wanted to start his inclusive community life vision for social enterprise in Ireland, but the Government of the time declined his offer. He went to Scotland and Camphill was born.

The history: 1972 seems to have been the moment the stars aligned, finally, enabling the Camphill Spirit to travel quietly, by Ford Transit van, from Camphill Glencraig in Northern Ireland and plant a burgeoning seed in the soil of a fertile warmth of welcome from people who longed for meaningful community lifestyle for their family members with social support needs. From its small beginnings, in Duffcarrig near Gorey in Co. Wexford, Camphill grew to become the quality benchmark for community based social care in Ireland.

The story of Camphill in Ireland is about people and minor miracles which brought fulfillment and contentment to many people with support needs and their families, a sense of ownership and pride to local communities, and a national reputation for devotion and commitment to an inclusive lifestyle.

A good storybook is about people, lived experiences, and relationships. The Camphill story is about people, lived experiences and relationships. Context is also important which is well provided by our history and geographical locations.

Who is the book for? Mostly for ourselves, our families, our friends, our coworkers, staff, management, donors, and supporters. For presents. For sale to people who are interested. For posterity.

What do we want to say? We want to say that Camphill Communities are full of very interesting characters who live meaningful and fulfilling lives. We want to share our lived experiences, our relationships, the joy and sorrows of our lives, our accomplishments and failures, how we lived, strived, and worked interdependently in community.

Why do we want to write it? Because it is an important story which may be overlooked or get lost. Because we want to remember the journey and the events, and we want others to know about us and our community life in Camphill. We want a book that will be there for generations to come, who will be able to appreciate the history of Camphill through the lives of those who lived it. A book that will help shape the next 50 years of Camphill which is struggling to emerge in a rapidly changing modern society. To document the evolving of the first 50 years of Camphill in Ireland.

Who will produce it? We can produce it together by getting involved and contributing. Practically a small and effective group has taken on the task of managing the project. However, a successful outcome is dependent on everyone’s involvement and support. A working group has been formed consisting of representatives from the SMT (Senior Management Group) and the CWG (Camphill Wellsprings Group). The group is known as 50 Years of Camphill in Ireland Publication Group. It uses the acronym Publication Group for ease of reference in context. A formal Terms of Reference (TOR) have been written and approved. (Available on request). An application to the CCoI Research and Ethics Committee (REC) has been lodged as required to guarantee compliance with all safeguarding and GDPR regulatory protocols.

The members of the group are: - Aine Taylor, Alan Potter, Gladys Lydon, Mischa Fekete, Paul Henry, Thomas Horan (Chair)

We are using the Camphill book Candle on the Hill as an aspirational benchmark, forming a framework for the project. Candle on the Hillis is a high quality production, containing around 200 pages of prose and images. It measures approximately 9”x12” (22.5cmx30cm).

A Foreword to the book will hopefully be written by a significant and well-known personality who knows/or appreciates Camphill. (Ideas and suggestions welcome)

The opening chapter will reference the early history of Camphill internationally and present a more detailed account of the establishment of Camphill in Ireland.

The centre chapters are assigned, one each per community, which will reflect its beginnings, evolution, and narrate the significant events through the stories of people related to that community. This may also include images of people, events, and art showing off the life, work, and location of the community. (All images will require GDPR compliance)

Individuals from each community have been contacted to lead the project locally.

Interviews with community members with support needs (CMSN), wishing to contribute, will be conducted under a set of supervisory protocols and procedures approved by the REC. All written material will be considered for publication at the editorial discretion of the Publication Group and compliant with the TOR.

The penultimate chapter will describe the radical transition years 2013-2022. This chapter will require objectivity, discretion, sensitivity, compliance with TOR, as Camphill in Ireland strives to evolve into a new phase of existence.

The final chapter will attempt to embrace the current reassessment and implementation of original Camphill core values and outlined plans and hopes for a transformed Camphill fit for the journey of the next 50 years.

Proposals for a cover design for the book have been invited from Camphill Kcat studios. Other proposals may also be considered. Professional assistance with editing, design input, and printing have been engaged. (subject to availability of funding)

The cost of the project has been estimated by taking the Camphill book Candle on the Hill as an aspirational benchmark as described above. Estimates for the cost include professional editing and design input, printing cost, accountancy and legal advice, and a small contingency for miscellaneous costs.

To cover the potential demand for copies from stakeholders and a small reserve stock, we have estimated a print run of 800 copies. This works out at approximately euro 25. - to produce each copy.

As the book is aimed at a select and limited audience there is little scope for commercial sales of any significances. The hope is that as many stakeholders as possible will contribute to the book production pre-publication and receive a copy or copies at production rate cost.

The Publication Group will set up a data base inviting people to sign up for the book and make their subscription. A dedicated bank account will be used exclusively to produce the book with oversight provided by normal accountancy procedures and in compliance with TOR.

Any surplus from contributions or possible commercial sales will be made available to support other projects as part of the 50th celebration (e.g., the commemorative 50 years tree grove project in each community)