The Nobel Peace Prize has gone to some less-than-deserving recipients over the years (understatement). But in honour of St Patrick's Day, here's some homework for you on two recipients who did, in fact, deserve the prize.
https://www.nobelpeaceprize.org/laureates/1998
You can read the entirety of the Good Friday Agreement online. For such an incredibly important document, it isn't that long.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-belfast-agreement
I still remember waiting for the result of the vote on the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
The nerves were absolutely horrendous but when it was announced that Northern Ireland had voted YES - the tears that I shed that night were relief, that it was over and Northern Ireland had a chance.
It isn't perfect but my god it is so much better than it was. We aren't waking up to death and destruction every morning.
NI now could do with some of that bravery that was shown in 1998.
Your Dad coming back home after the 1998 vote, is what the vote in favour for the GFA meant, a new start and a better path forward.
I was 22 when I voted for the Good Friday Agreement. I would do it again.
I remember the atmosphere in NI after the Shankill Bombing and the deadly shooting at Greysteel, it felt that Northern Ireland was beyond saving. We were going to live with death and destruction forever but I think we looked over the edge and said it can't go.
Until I read your post, I never thought about the people who left NI because of the violence and came back because of that vote in 1998. It was life changing for us in Northern Ireland but also for families like yours.
I should say thank you to your Dad and the others who believed that Northern Ireland had changed enough after 1998 for him to come back home and build a life here.
Steph (crisis version)
Jacqui ☘️