Take a step back from all the headlines that are the story of this upcoming event in which Martin McGuinness and the Queen will meet.
Try to think beyond its historic handshake to put this moment in its proper place and context.
Understand this is more than just a meeting that will pass in a few minutes; something more than the headlines that will be replaced with others in our gluttonous business of news that is never fully fed and that always asks for more.
This is a huge happening; part of what could be described as the human phase of our peace process, and without doubt the beginning of another significant chapter.
It won’t be easy, not for Martin McGuinness and not for the Queen, not in the context of decades of killings and victims, among them Lord Mountbatten and those shot down on Bloody Sunday.
These are still raw wounds; and just some of the many, many unhealed hurts.
Beyond ceasefires, ending armed campaigns, decommissioning, the Army’s demilitarisation, policing and politics, there is still a need for more.
Peace is not just about the absence of violence; not just about the guns and bombs going quiet.
It is about reaching for something much higher; healing, reconciliation, stepping into the shoes of others, talking, trying to understand, ending enemy relationships and doing those difficult but decent and necessary human things.
Of course, it would have been easy, and entirely understandable, if either the Queen or Martin McGuinness or both had turned their backs on this event and invitation; but doing the easy makes no contribution to peace.
Leadership does, and this is leadership in a two-way sense; both being asked to do something difficult.
It needed the right stage to make it happen, and the peace building organisation Co-operation Ireland helped build it – an organisation whose chief executive Peter Sheridan spent thirty years in policing service with the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the PSNI.
He was targeted by the IRA, at a time when republicans would have viewed him as part of an enemy force.
Again it would be easy and understandable if people were to stay lost in those experiences, and not think outside their own perspectives.
Sheridan and McGuinness are not living in the past, a past in which both have been hurt as individuals and as members of the broader republican and policing communities.
In the developing peace process, they met in Downing Street in 2004 as part of a first meeting between republican leaders and senior police officers.
They met again, and were photographed during a festival event in west Belfast in 2010, also attended by the loyalist leader Jackie McDonald.
Eamonnmallie.com publishes photographs of that event captured by MT Hurson of Harrison Photography.
Their meetings and their handshakes do not mean they have forgotten what happened and at what cost.
How could they?
The reality is they never will.
McGuinness was part of the IRA war, a leader in it, but that war had other leaders and other sides and many ugly truths.
I have written many times that what happened cannot be explained in simplistic narratives of ‘goodies and baddies’, and cannot be blamed on one side or on any one individual.
A way has yet to be found to allow for questions to be asked and answers given; some way that will produce information and a detailed explanation of past events.
In this human phase of our process this is another of the challenges – something as big, indeed arguably bigger, than Martin McGuinness and the Queen meeting.
For decades, there has been a wall between them as there are walls still between our communities and our people.
Slowly, bricks are being removed from those dividing structures, and on Wednesday we will have a leadership example of how that is done.
At the Lyric Theatre the Queen, the Irish President, the First Minister and Deputy First Minister will meet in an event fashioned out of culture and arts and set within an all-island pattern.
It is an event that needed a little creative imagination to give it the right appearance; an event that Sheridan describes as a celebration of “life beyond conflict”.
It is another significant step forward, something that has had to be talked through and explained across the republican community and talked through and explained inside Buckingham Palace and elsewhere.
It also comes at a time when Sinn Fein is engaged off-stage with people from the Protestant/unionist/loyalist community in what are described as “uncomfortable conversations”.
The party’s national chair Declan Kearney is a key figure in that dialogue as is the former Methodist President Harold Good.
In the context of those talks, a rejection of Wednesday’s invitation to meet the Queen would not have been understood or excused.
Republicans could have binned their reconciliation initiative – no one in the unionist community would have taken it or them seriously.
So, we wait now for the meeting, but let us not get lost in that moment and its headlines.
This is not intended as a full stop, but rather the beginning of another sentence or page or chapter in the peace process – a big moment in its human phase.
It will not be understood or accepted by everyone, but it will be understood and accepted by most, and it is right that it is happening.
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This is a post for information. I interviewed a number of loyalists as part of a wider report for UTV last night (go to UTV player to view). As part of that report, the UDA leader in north Belfast John Bunting described Wednesday’s planned meeting involving Martin McGuinness and the Queen as confirmation that the war is over, while John Howcroft, a former life sentence prisoner, sees it as a gesture to unionists as part of a developing reconciliation process. Declan Kearney was also interviewed, and set Wednesday’s meeting in the context of that reconciliation initiative, in which he has met Howcroft and other loyalists including Jackie McDonald. A different view of the McGuinness/Queen meeting was expressed by Ciaran Cunningham of Republican Network for Unity (RNU). As a result, he said his group would not now be prepared to engage in talks with Sinn Fein - the talks Martin McGuinness offered in his Ard Fheis speech. There will be those who will view Cunningham’s comments as an excuse rather than a reason for not talking. Kearney emphasised that all talks should be unconditional, and that as far as Sinn Fein is concerned the door is still open.
Brian Rowan
In the Unionist psyche, it would be wrong to detract or deviate from the true purpose of the Queen’s visit in what is her Jubilee year, that is, as she has said to both houses of parliament, to “re-dedicate herself to the service of the people of the United Kingdom”.
In that wider context of purpose, and with cognisance to both the significance and symbolism of any meeting or handshake between the Queen and the Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister, although reduced for most Unionists to a side-bar conversation when set against this wider context, this nevertheless must be seen as an important step in our peace-process, and should not be devalued.
Massive decisions like this require leadership and a courage of ones conviction. And lets not forget such decisions will have particular resonance in certain sections of both communities, who may find even the idea of it a step too far and a difficult pill to swallow.
Lets not forget, for those on either side of that proposed historic handshake it will not be easy! Behind that handshake lays many painful and difficult memories of the past, but here we see those that are prepared to place these aside for the greater good of reconcilliation.
However, in that process of reconcilliation, this provides a public acknowledgement by Sinn Fein of the significant British/Unionist identity that exists here, and displays a willingness to engage those from that identity. That should be welcomed!
This historic moment hopefully shows that we are moving beyond the carved up compass within society, that represents sectional interests, and is evidence of both a maturing and thawing of relations, and as such it adds a new layer to that reconcilliation process.
In the Unionist psyche, it would be wrong to detract or deviate from the true purpose of the Queen’s visit in what is her Jubilee year, that is, as she has said to both houses of parliament, to “re-dedicate herself to the service of the people of the United Kingdom”.
In that wider context of purpose, and with cognisance to both the significance and symbolism of any meeting or handshake between the Queen and the Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister, although reduced for most Unionists to a side-bar conversation when set against this wider context, this nevertheless must be seen as an important step in our peace-process, and should not be devalued.
Massive decisions like this require leadership and a courage of ones conviction. And lets not forget such decisions will have particular resonance in certain sections of both communities, who may find even the idea of it a step too far and a difficult pill to swallow.
Lets not forget, for those on either side of that proposed historic handshake it will not be easy! Behind that handshake lays many painful and difficult memories of the past, but here we see those that are prepared to place these aside for the greater good of reconcilliation.
However, in that process of reconcilliation, this provides a public acknowledgement by Sinn Fein of the significant British/Unionist identity that exists here, and displays a willingness to engage those from that identity. That should be welcomed!
This historic moment hopefully shows that we are moving beyond the carved up compass within society, that represents sectional interests, and is evidence of both a maturing and thawing of relations, and as such it adds a new layer to that reconcilliation process.
Why Co-operation Ireland?
The Historic Meeting between Her Majesty The
Queen, President of Ireland Michael D Higgins, First Minister Peter Robinson
and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness
By Breidge Gadd, Co-operation Ireland Board
member
So what or who is this organisation called
Co-operation Ireland that has been thrust into the media headlines with regard
to its role in scene setting for the historic McGuinness Queen handshake. Well
one thing it is not, (as was perhaps hinted in some news reports), is a
construct to enable the Queen and the deputy First Minister to meet in an arena
acceptable to all parties. Co–incidentally this weekend as the news broke that
this meeting was likely to take place almost one thousand cyclists, in the
pouring rain took part in Co-operation Ireland’s maracycle started first in
1984 and now a firmly established fundraising/ north south exchange which sees
cyclists from all ages, backgrounds and creeds cycle the road from Dublin to
Belfast and vice versa. Some do it for fun, some for fitness, all do it to for
fundraising. Many also take part because of a personal belief that on
this tiny island off the western seaboard of Europe, people from the north and
south, so long held apart because of the troubles, or from ignorance and from
prejudice, need to meet up get to know each other and start getting along –for
the mutual benefit of all of us.
And it is no surprise that the founders of the
charity Co-operation North in 1979 (name change to current Co-operation Ireland
came in 1998) had exactly the same idea. Brendan Regan the visionary founder
believed that in a future world, people in trade, business, public services,
tourism and more needed to blow away the suspicion and mistrust of centuries of
history between north and south and for the benefit of all become friends and
work allies. It made sound economic and living sense.
Over the past thirty plus years of its existence
Co-operation Ireland designed and delivered, or funded mostly with European
peace monies, projects designed for the times that were in it, but all with
that fundamental core of helping the people on this island move to a future
which for the first time in history meant that we stopped killing each other in
the name of nationhood.
In the 1980s and 1990s when politicians and
journalists were much exercised with peace deals and processes Co-operation
Ireland was organising exchanges, cross border and beyond between Northern
Ireland and the Republic where people from all aspects of life met to talk,
eat, draw, sing, paint, write nursery rhyme books. Or, as trust grew in each
other, people got together to tackle problem issues, predictably learning in
the process that we had much more in common than we had different; that a poor
community in Finglas shared similar challenges and issues as a protestant
community in East Belfast, and that a troubled drug using unskilled teenager in
Belfast faces the same challenge as his counterpart in Dublin.
Sometimes the emphasis in projects was on conflict
resolution, sometimes on mediation sometimes staff found the people and the
skills necessary to help very damaged hurt people deal with their troubled
past. In some of the projects, border people who lived perhaps a mile apart but
were too scared because of a vicious border campaign, to meet and greet, found
the courage through a drama project to make those tenuous steps to become
friends with their neighbours.
As the peace process bedded in and other
Northern Ireland and Southern bodies got together themselves, Co-operation
Ireland changed direction. In recent times emphasis has been on working
cooperatively in Northern Ireland with other youth organisations to help the
most beleagured communities find a peace dividend for their disenchanted young people
who previously were attracted to the exhilaration of armed combat. We are also
well aware that ignorance and prejudice is not the preserve of poor people and
some of our North/South projects, such as Choir of the Year delivered in
partnership with RTE enable young people protected in the past from the worst
of civil conflict, to come together to develop mutual understanding and the
determination to work collaboratively for their better future.
As the work has developed and kept apace with
political developments and political success so has international
recognition for the knowledge and skill of staff. This was first recognised in
the Civic-Link programme which brought together school children from north and
south to develop a common youth citizen programme and which latterly included
American schools. Their teachers felt that the way we worked honestly and
sometimes painfully at difference, facing our prejudices, exploring our bigotry
had a lot to teach American schools –both teachers and children. Other
countries some coming out of their own bloody conflict also feel that they have
a lot to learn from Ireland’s experience and learning.
I am a member of the Board of Co-operation
Ireland. My fellow members, from the Republic and Northern Ireland
come from a range of backgrounds in the private and public sector. While we
bring different skills to our voluntary commitment to the organisation we all
have a common passion and a very personal commitment; that is the firm belief
that we, who have lived through a turbulent time in the history of this island
owe it to our children to do everything that we possibly can to ensure that
future generations have the opportunity to design a better future for
themselves, where co-operation replaces hostility. That is why we give up our
spare time and offer what experience and skill that we have to help the
organisation in its endeavours. Some people think that because the fighting has
stopped the work is done. In many instances especially in the Republic
indifference has replaced fear of (those fighting people) in the north. In fact
the need to work closely together is more imperative than ever, not for a
united Ireland nor for closer ties with Britain but for the mutual benefit of
our children on this island.
Co-operation Ireland was delighted that the
Queen and the President of Ireland agreed to become joint patrons of our
charity. Their joint patronage displays in a deeply symbolic way the vision
that drives Board members and staff of Co-operation Ireland working together
across borders internal and external for a better life. We were honoured when
both heads of state attended together our 30th anniversary event at Hillsborough Castle in May
2009. This week will see a big step forward in the building of an island
at peace with itself.
Im watching the local news tonight,Monday 25th June,Martin Maginnis is talking about his decision,Sinn Feins decision to shake the hand of Queen Elizabeth. I’m looking at his eyes,listening to the tone of his voice and I see a different Martin Maginnis,a changed and sincere Deputy First Minister. I have seen him many times in the past,speaking as an IRA leader,a devout republican and a determined politician,but I have never seen the look I saw just a few minutes ago. Gone was the steely glare,the intimidatory stare,the the cold heartless eyes that were almost his trademark. Martin knows he is entering a new phase of republicanism,uncharted waters for himself and his colleagues,and it shows.wether people want to believe him/them or not is of course a matter for themselves but I saw something in Martins eyes that tells me there is a new determination about the man. I may be right,I may be wrong,only time will tell,unfortunately as he himself knows only too well,his past is ahead of him too and some will never believe!
Jackie, What a day! I was there at the Lyric Theatre as part of a small group of people from the Arts, invited by Co-operation Ireland to celebrate the important part the Arts has to play in the Peace Process. I shook the hand of both The Queen and Martin McGuinness and those of us present were privileged to be part of this historic moment, in the realisation that things are continuing to change for the good.
Gerry Creen Belfast Singer/Songwriter
[email protected]
http://www.gerrycreen.com
Well deserved Gerry,and such a historic event. I hope people see today’s events in a positive way and not look for reasons or excuses to criticise or to devalue what occurred in the Lyric,no doubt you will treasure the memory forever. There will be many on either side of the divide who will have mixed views and opinions on if it should have happened,why did it,how could it,the fact remains it happened and I believe true Leadership was shown by Her Majesty and the Deputy First Minister. They ventured further from their respective comfort zones than arguably any others have since the Conflict began,that has to be admired and appreciated. If we are ever to have a genuine and lasting peace here others will have to learn from today’s example.once again Gerry as i said well deserved,your music has helped bring people together and may you long continue to do so,cherish your memories and I hope to see you in the not too distant future!
Jackie - I read in your comments, and heard in the words of John Bunting and John Howcroft on Monday, how loyalists are venturing out of their comfort zones. Your praise for the Queen is what your people would expect - much more difficult to acknowledge the leadership of Martin McGuinness. The fact that you are prepared to do so and put your name beside your words is to be commended. I wrote the above blog on Sunday as a preview of the McGuinness/Queen meeting. Now, it has happened and the sky didn’t fall in. Peter Sheridan and Co-operation Ireland helped make it possible, and that will come as no surprise to us. The photographs that are part of my blog show you and him stepping into a difficult space a couple of years ago - and being prepared to engage in uncomfortable conversations. There was a time when all of this seemed unthinkable, and there is a danger now that people take these things for granted. Today we saw a leadership example of reconciliation and that needs to be built upon. You and the two Johns inserted yourselves into the debate this week and that is good for loyalism.
Barney
I had a serious discussion with some very good friends of mine today and the main topic of conversation was the attitude of some Republicans around The Queens Visit and the handshake. Comments like She’s not my Queen.. I’ll never vote Sinn Fein again and Erin is Our Queen really angered all of us and the Tricolour on the Mountain certainly added to the anger and frustration. All of my friends in the room today are or have been engaged with various republican groups in promoting the Peace Process,working hard to keep it on track and trying to convince others of the importance of sharing our future. What we talked about today was how we could/should become even more challenging when our discussions with republicans take place. IF they are genuine about sharing space and a better future for all WHY all the complaints about flags,parades,The Queen not being THEIR Queen? We are not in a United Ireland yet,and we won’t be as long as republicans attack members of the Security Forces or attack members of the Business Community,we have proved over 40 odd years that we are strongest,more united under threat. Neither will we be charmed into a situation where we accept the principle of one Nation,we are quite happy with our status as it is. The consensus of opinion today was that WE are the ones making the most effort,it is our people who are engaging in what is seen as Catholic sports,Gaelic/Hurling etc,not a lot of reciprocation or any attempt to engage with our culture. We are determined to continue our engagement with genuine republicans but recent events/language certainly hasn’t helped to convince uncomfortable members of our community and definitely makes our task even more difficult. I am not denying or playing down the important role we share with many republican groups on interfaces,that joint effort is and has been essential,or how important the Prison to Peace Project is to the entire Peace Process,but our discussion today highlighted the imbalance in many areas and we shall endeavour to address this at every opportunity. The task is not just to share,it’s Fair Share!