Hillsborough Castle’s historic role in Northern Ireland's peace deal is to be recognised in a series of forthcoming events marking the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
During April, the castle will welcome diplomats and politicians who played key roles as peacemakers in the Good Friday Agreement as well as other significant negotiations that paved the way for political progress in Northern Ireland.
Schoolchildren and visitors will also have the opportunity to tour the place in which historic discussions took place and hear recollections from participants in a series of public talks and events.
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Since the 1980s, Hillsborough Castle has been a political retreat in Northern Ireland: a place where deals have been brokered, negotiations made, agreements signed.
Away from the spotlight and surrounded by 100 acres of tranquil gardens, the castle has repeatedly played a central role in creating peacetime agreements in Northern Ireland – from the signing of the Anglo-Irish agreement in 1985, to the Hillsborough Castle Agreement of 2010.
Its serene gardens were favoured by former Secretary of State Mo Mowlam, who held countless talks at the castle during the negotiations that led to the Good Friday Agreement. Mo, as she liked to be known, would regularly bring participants into the castle grounds for frank discussions in a private, calming setting.
In preparation for the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, a team from the castle are organising a series of events next month and schools, community groups and the public are all invited to take part.
These events take place from April 20–23 and form part of a wider programme, led by Queen’s University Belfast, to mark the anniversary.
On 20 and 21 April, the castle will run a programme of events for schools, inviting pupils to engage with Hillsborough’s role, not only as a venue for negotiation and discussion, but also as a place of respite and reflection during difficult times, through a range of activities designed to explore these themes.
On Thursday 20 April, secondary pupils will take part in a ‘Question Time’ panel with Alastair Campbell , former press secretary to former Prime Minister, Tony Blair. Peace by Piece: Reflecting on the Good Friday Agreement 25 years on, will reflect on the event and the role of young people in the future of Northern Ireland.
The following day, pupils will be invited to explore the gardens as a place of respite, through wellbeing in nature workshops and outdoor activities designed to encourage co-operation, team-working and cohesion.
On display at the castle is a collection of preparatory portraits and works of art depicting various figures who played an important role in the negotiations that led to the Good Friday Agreement.
Against this backdrop, on 20 April, the Castle will host artist Colin Davidson and writer Glenn Patterson for an evening of conversation entitled ‘Preparing the Piece.’
This public talk will explore the artistic journey, showing how Davidson creates his iconic portraits, whilst giving a nod to the intricate process of creating something of extreme value, requiring patience and diplomacy.
From 22 – 23 April, the castle will run a number of special political history tours. Taking place throughout the weekend, the tours will explore Hillsborough’s history and role as a venue for political meetings.
Drawing on recent interviews conducted with politicians, diplomats and those who were present at the talks, guests will get an insight behind the scenes and an understanding of the crucial role Hillsborough Castle and its gardens played as a setting for the negotiations.
Laura McCorry, Head of Hillsborough Castle, said: "In this important anniversary year, we are focusing on Hillsborough Castle’s historic place in the politics of Northern Ireland as a place that inspires worlds and minds to meet.
"Diplomatic credentials are no longer required to gain access to this fascinating place of political history and we’re looking forward to welcoming people from across the island of Ireland to our public events in April.
"We’re delighted to announce that we will also be offering free political history sessions to 25 schools until November 2023. We will cover the cost of transport as well as the session itself in the hope that schools across Northern Ireland will join us to mark this significant milestone."
More information on how to apply will be available on the website in due course.
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