On this day in 1999, Social Democratic and Labour Party founder and head John Hume revealed that he would donate all£280,000 of Nobel Peace Prize money to the victims of violence in Northern Ireland. As a young ex-seminarian, Hume was inspired by the example of Martin Luther King, Jr., and led a nonviolent civil rights movement in his home town of Derry. Never giving up on the … [Read more...] about March 26, 1999
March 18, 1999
The funeral of Northern Irish human rights lawyer, Rosemary Nelson, was held at St. Peter's Church in Lurgan on this day in 1999. Having obtained her degree in law from Queen's University, Belfast, Nelson represented some high profile and controversial clients, including South Armagh Sniper, Michael Caraher, and the Garvaghy Road Residents' Coalition. She claimed to have … [Read more...] about March 18, 1999
November 19, 1998
Dr. Mary Robinson, the first female president of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, was elected Chancellor of Trinity College Dublin on this day in 1998, making her the first woman in the college's history to hold the position. Robinson was born in Ballina, Co. Mayo and is widely regarded as a transformative figure in Irish politics. Her presidency … [Read more...] about November 19, 1998
September 5, 1998
On this day in 1998, President Bill Clinton followed in the footsteps of fellow Irish American President John F. Kennedy and became a Freeman of Limerick. This day also marked the last day of President Clinton's visit to Ireland. During this visit, both Bill and Hillary visited the town of Omagh, which was still suffering the effects of the car bombing a month prior. … [Read more...] about September 5, 1998
August 26, 1998
On this day in 1998, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern meet at Ashford Castle, Co. Mayo to discuss peace processes in the aftermath of Omagh's August 15th car bombing. The two leaders decide to join forces in fighting terrorism and discuss possible laws for the future. … [Read more...] about August 26, 1998