Fingal Celebrates 25 Years of the Good Friday Agreement

An insightful evening in Donabate last week has commemorated a pivotal milestone in Ireland's history, as a special panel discussion took place to mark the 25th anniversary of the momentous Good Friday Agreement (GFA) and the 30th anniversary of the Downing Street Declaration.

Hosted by the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Adrian Henchy, the event saw attendees gain a better understanding of the Agreement from some of the key architects involved at the very heart of negotiations to deliver peace. The panel featured former Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, peace activist and founder of The Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition, Monica McWilliams, alongside US Ambassador to Ireland, Claire D. Cronin. The discussion was expertly moderated by Gary Murphy, from the School of Law and Government in DCU, captivating attendees with insightful perspectives and reflections.

The Good Friday Agreement, signed on 10th April 1998, stands as a testament to a monumental achievement, heralding the end of 30 years of conflict in Northern Ireland. This landmark accord fundamentally transformed relationships across the islands, fostering new ways of collaboration and mutual understanding.

This year marks 30 years since the Downing Street Declaration, issued on 15th December 1993 which played a significant role in the peace process, laying the groundwork for the subsequent Good Friday Agreement. This historic declaration laid out principles for peace negotiations, advocating for dialogue and consent-based resolutions. It set the stage for the eventual ceasefire by the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) in 1994 and contributed to the peace talks that ultimately led to the Good Friday Agreement we see today.

As we mark its 25th anniversary, we honour its enduring legacy and reaffirm our commitment to upholding its principles of peace, unity, and reconciliation, ensuring that the vision and values encapsulated within the agreement continue to guide our collective journey towards a harmonious future for all.

The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Adrian Henchy said: “I am delighted to have welcomed such distinguished guest speakers to Donabate and Fingal to share their invaluable insights in what was a memorable occasion for millions of people globally and which has helped secure sustained peace. The 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement serves as a reminder of the importance of unity, dialogue, and collective efforts towards progressing reconciliation and greater understanding across all our communities.”

The panel discussion delved into the reality of life in Northern Ireland in the build up to the historic agreement, the challenges of bringing together disparate views and personalities and the inside story of the pivotal negotiations that took place. They spoke of the Agreement's significance as well as its ongoing challenges and shared their experiences of working towards conflict resolution in other countries.

Attendees were actively engaged, and the event concluded with an engaging Q&A session, offering participants an opportunity to further explore the intricacies of the topic.