Liam Neeson has been open about his support for integrated schools in Northern Ireland

Hollywood legend and Co Armagh native Liam Neeson has lent his voice to a campaign encouraging students and parents to embrace integrated education in Northern Ireland. The star has been known to support the cause in the past.

Integrated education in Northern Ireland brings together staff and students from both Catholic and Protestant backgrounds, as well as other cultural and religious backgrounds, to attend school together.

Integrated schools in Northern Ireland have actively been encouraging the mix of these divided parts of society since 1981.

In a new video advert for integrated schools by the Integrated Education Fund, 71-year-old Neeson lent his voice to promote integrated schools in Northern Ireland. Participants in the ad describe the schools as “inspiring, incredible, inclusive, innovative, and interesting”.

The Star Wars and Taken actor, who hails from Ballymena, said of his involvement in the campaign: “I am delighted to have been able to be part of this exciting advert, helping to raise awareness of the tremendous positive impact that Integrated Education has on society in Northern Ireland today.”

He added: “I hope the campaign will help inform and encourage people to consider an Integrated Education for their children.

The ad was filmed in Belfast at Cranmore Integrated Primary School and Hazelwood Integrated College. It features parents, students, and school staff who all describe the benefits of integrated schools.

The short ad ends with Neeson telling viewers: “Gaining Integrated status for a school comes about by consensus and intention, not accident. And every year across Northern Ireland more parents and schools are making that decision.”

The ad comes after a new 600-pupil integrated post-primary school was approved for Northern Ireland. Mid Down Integrated College is expected to be open from the start of the next school year in September 2024.

Paul Caskey OBE, Head of Campaign at the IEF commented: “Our hope is that any parent who views this advert, or sees the campaign, will think about sending their child to an Integrated school or registering for their child’s school to become Integrated at integratemyschool.com.”