25th Anniversary Ceremony

The Ceremony from 7th April 2023

"On Good Friday 25 years ago. After years of negotiations and against many expectations, An historic agreement was reached. It was an honourable compromise. It contained challenges for everyone, but it did not diminish any of the deeply held political views of those present. Nor did it mean that the future would be easy. But it was a new beginning, a new beginning for this society and a new basis for us all to work through our differences collectively. Most of all, it was a fundamental shift from the tragedy and turmoil of the previous 30 years and more...'

Alex Maskey
Northern Ireland Assembly Speaker

The Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Alex Maskey hosted a ceremony to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. The event included performances as well as memories and reflections from some of the key participants in the 1998 negotiations, including former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Gerry Adams, Mark Durkan, Lord Empey, Billy Hutchinson, Professor Monica McWilliams.  Video reflections were also shared by Senator George Mitchell, Lord Paul Murphy and Lord Alderdice. Members of the Northern Ireland Youth Assembly read the Declaration of Support from the Good Friday Agreement.  

Invited guests also enjoyed musical performances from Belfast School of Performing Arts and Dana Masters.