For a quarter-century, Hutchinson has welcomed teenagers from Northern Ireland each summer through the Ulster Project — a faith-based peace and leadership program that continues to change lives on both sides of the Atlantic.
LINK: Ulster Project brings peace and purpose to Hutchinson for 25th year
Ewan McNally
Ewan McNally is a Northern Irish teen on the 2025 Ulster Project. He lives in Portadown and lives in Portadown and attends Portadown College.
Your family: My mom, dad, brother and a dog.
Ewan likes rugby, cycling, and socializing with friends and family.
Favorite singer or group: Radiohead and Kendrick Lamar.
What is something people would not know about Portadown: It has an apple festival as it has an orchard nearby.
What are you looking forward to experience in Hutchinson: Want to get to know new people, experience new cultures and live an American live for my time here.
What is your favorite meal: Barbecue.
What makes Ireland so special: The natural beauty and the size, you can get from the top to bottom very quickly.
Ethan Montgomery
Ethan Montgomery is a Northern Irish teen on the 2025 Ulster Project. He lives in Portadown and lives in Portadown and attends Portadown College.
Your family: My mom, dad, two sisters a dog, cat and snake.
Ehtan likes playing the piano and socializing with friends.
Favorite singer or group: Queen and Metallica.
What is something people would not know about Portadown: It hosted the first drive in cinema in Northern Ireland.
What are you looking forward to experience in Hutchinson: Playing and learning American sports.
What is your favorite meal: Potato bread.
What makes Ireland so special: The lingo. Like "What's the craic", meaning how's it going. This saying is a part of our culture.
Looking ahead
The Ulster Project relies on a network of volunteers, donations, and host families to succeed. Organizer Keith Neill notes that while it’s getting harder to find host families, the impact makes it worth it. “We’re already looking for host families for 2026,” he said, encouraging anyone interested — especially those with church involvement and teens entering 10th or 11th grade — to learn more at www.hutchulster.com or call Neill 620-899-8412.
“It’s intense, but it’s only three weeks,” Neill said. “You’re not just opening your home — you’re helping create a more peaceful world.”