The community development process within the Bogside, Brandywell and greater Bishop Street area made another significant advance with the official launch of the 'Áras Mhig Raighne' at 171 Sunbeam Terrace, on Tuesday 1st June 1999.

The premises were secured and renovated by the BBI to provide a new community resource within the Bishop Street/Foyle Road neighbourhoods, and to specifically create a base from which several local projects can promote peace building and conflict resolution activities within the general area. Commenting upon the name chosen to launch the premises, BBI spokesperson, Declan Kearney said:

"This particular house for many years was owned by a long standing resident of Bishop Street, the Grant Family, so we felt it only proper to retain the links to the local neighbourhood by naming it in recognition of the long term owners, hence the Irish title Áras Mhig Raighne. BBI is very grateful to the residents of Bishop Street who welcomed our arrival in Sunbeam Terrace, and our decision to choose this name and organise this official launch is a token of our appreciation ".

While Áras Mhig Raighne is a new home to the work of Cúnamh, Bloody Sunday Trust and Archway, BBI envisage the premises to be available for the general community use. Declan Kearney pointed out:

"Áras Mhig Raighne is as much a resource for general community use as it is for the current tenants. The door is always open, and the facility is available to local residents or groups who may require space for meetings or planning activities. Alongside the revival of the Bishop Street Community Centre, we hope Áras Mhig Raighne will contribute to consolidating the community spirit associated with the Bishop Street and Foyle Road neighbourhoods ".

Since its establishment, BBI has sought to promote the regeneration of the area in the broadest sense, by encouraging strategies and programmes aimed at redressing all the area deficits. Áras Mhig Raighne will expand a dedicated peace building ethos, thereby establishing important linkages between local development work and the broader peace process. Explaining this feature of BBI's work, Declan Kearney went on:

'Since its establishment BBI has consistently stated that attempting to introduce change on economic or social terms within this community is linked to the resolution of political conflict, and ultimately democratising local peoples' access to becoming involved in directing change at a local level. Áras Mhig Raighne will be responsible for advancing this ethos, and creating an environment for reflecting upon and planning how the peace process can be properly embedded in local terms'.

The launch of Áras Mhig Raighne occured at 171 Sunbeam terrace on 1st June at 12.00pm and the Grant family were represented at the unveiling of a plaque. Welcoming the decision to name the premises after their family, Philip Grant and his sister Maeve Norby stated:

" We are both delighted and honoured to be asked by BBI to represent our family at the launch of Áras Mhig Raighne ".