New RTÉ documentary series marks the 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement
Date Posted: March 30, 2023
A new two-part documentary, The Agreement, marking the 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement will air across two consecutive nights on Monday 3rd April at 9:35pm and Tuesday 4th April at 10:15pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player and Wednesday 12th April at 10:40pm on BBC One Northern Ireland. The documentary was produced by FinePoint Films in association with Queen’s University Belfast and Northern Ireland Screen.
Presented by Miriam O’Callaghan, The Agreement examines the negotiations leading up to and the aftermath of the signing of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement in April 1998 and the referendum that followed six weeks later.
Senator Mitchell talks about the challenges of getting parties to even agree on the issues to be resolved and how the arrival of Bertie Ahern and Tony Blair in the final days changed the dynamic in Castle Buildings. Mark Durkan recalls the murder of two friends, one Protestant the other Catholic, in Poyntzpass weeks before the Agreement affected the negotiations and how David Trimble and Seamus Mallon being pictured together showing their respect to the victims and their families helped to inform thinking about the shared role of a First and deputy First Minister.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson reflects on why he could not agree with the Ulster Unionist Party’s plan to support the Agreement and how, after an extraordinarily tense 48 hours when everyone struggled for a breakthrough, he and Arlene (now Baroness) Foster walked out of Castle Buildings before the final, and historic, plenary session when the deal was endorsed.
The documentary also puts a spotlight on the events that led John Hume and David Trimble to share the Nobel Peace Prize for their work in advocating solutions to end conflict. And it examines issues around prisoner releases, policing reform and decommissioning and opposition to the Agreement, including within unionism.
Speaking about the documentary, Director Trevor Birney said: “In April 1998 I was a news journalist and stood outside Castle Buildings as negotiations continued through the night into Good Friday. A month later I was on the stage at the King’s Hall in South Belfast for the referendum announcement – they were two of the significant days of my journalistic career.
“All of the local journalists who covered this political settlement and its endorsement by voters across the island were very alert to their international significance as well as the fundamental change it would bring to our daily lives and the future of our communities.
“Revisiting these momentous events with so many of those who were in the room on the day the Good Friday Agreement was concluded has reminded everyone at Fine Point Films of just what was achieved and the legacy for everyone on the island of Ireland. Partnering with Queen’s University seemed very appropriate right from the outset and it has proven to be a very collaborative and creative relationship.”
Ryan Feeney, interim Vice-President of Strategic Engagement and External Affairs at Queen’s University Belfast and Executive Producer on the documentary, commented: “Queen’s University Belfast is proud to be part of this landmark documentary with FinePoint Films and Northern Ireland Screen for RTÉ, telling this important story of our history and paying tribute to the achievements made in 1998.
“In April 2023, the University will also host an international conference with many of the key actors from that period, reflecting on the success of the peace process and looking towards a shared future which focuses on delivering socioeconomic progress for everyone in this region.”
The Agreement airs on Monday 3rd April at 9:35pm and Tuesday 4th April at 10:15pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
