GIRLS from a Protestant and a Catholic school in the heart of working class north Belfast which were subjected to sectarian arson attacks after Drumcree last year are to sing for President Clinton at St Patrick's Day celebrations in Washington today.
The United States ambassador to Dublin, Mrs Jean Kennedy Smith, was so moved by a recent performance of the choir in Cork that she persuaded President Clinton to invite the girls to the White House.
The pupils, from the Belfast Model School for Girls and Our Lady of Mercy school, are joining Phil Coulter and James Galway to perform for the President and visiting Irish dignitaries.
They are to sing a peace song, Join Hands, written by the Model School's music teacher, Mr Trevor England. It won the choir first prize at the national song contest for peace in Cork on March 2nd.
According to Mr England, the girls learned they were heading for the US two days after Mrs Kennedy Smith contacted the President.
"The girls were absolutely over the moon," said Mr England. "To be singing in the White House is just unbelievable."
Mr England and Ms Kate Rocks, the music teacher in Our Lady of Mercy School, view the invitation as a recognition of what the schools have endured in the violence.
After Drumcree the Catholic school was badly damaged in an arson attack. The Protestant school was subjected to a similar attack after its teachers went to Our Lady's to show solidarity.
Pupils from both schools have died in the troubles. The last victim was 13 year old Leeane Murray of the Model School who died in a bomb attack on the Shankill in October 1993 in which to people were killed, including IRA bomber Thomas Begley.
