A new €5m building project has been officially opened at a Wicklow peace and reconciliation centre.

The construction scheme at the new Glencree facility was funded by the International Fund for Ireland and the Office of Public Works.

Hundreds gathered to watch Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin and Denis Rooney, International Fund for Ireland chairman, unveil the new building.

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The new addition includes a state of the art reception and office area for the Glencree Centre. The expansion is part of a five year strategic plan for the centre.

Minister Martin said: "Glencree is successfully sharing lessons learned in Ireland with conflict areas around the world. We commend their brave and innovative work that is so badly needed in the world today."

Peace-building programmes have been operating out of the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation since 1974.

Over the years it has brought people from Northern and Southern Ireland together to find a constructive solution to violence through dialogue.

It's a non-profit, non-governmental organisation.

(PR/JM)