9/12/2024: Last night, the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation (Glencree) hosted an event at Trinity College Dublin commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Secret Talks at Feakle in December 1974. The evening offered a reflective look at a pivotal moment in Ireland’s history, revisiting a time when eight courageous church leaders risked their reputations and safety to engage in dialogue with IRA leaders in the pursuit of peace. The outcome of their actions at Feakle was a ceasefire that lasted from the end of December 1974 to September 1975.

It was in the rural Smyth's Village Hotel in Feakle Co. Clare that the church leaders took part in a secret unofficial meeting with leaders of the Provisional IRA Army Council. The church leaders included Rev Dr Arthur Butler, Anglican Bishop of Connor; Rev Dr Jack Weir, Presbyterian General Assembly; Rev Dr Eric Gallagher, Methodist Church in Ireland; Stanley Worrall, Methodist College Belfast (the only layman); Rev Arthur MacArthur, United Reformed Church in England; Rev Harry Morton, British Council of Churches; and Rev Ralph Baxter, Irish Council of Churches. Despite the setbacks of 1974, including the collapse of the first power-sharing government and the tragic violence in Dublin, Monaghan and Birmingham, their efforts laid foundations for concepts that would help shape future peace agreements, including the Good Friday Agreement of 1998.

Speakers at the event included Prof Niall Ó Dochartaigh, University of Galway; Dr Brian Hanley, Trinity College Dublin; the Rev Eric Gallagher's son, David Gallagher; event Chair Andy Pollak; and, Glencree's Geoffrey Corry. The event, which was also attended by families of the church leaders, highlighted the importance of learning from the past. It emphasised that progress and reconciliation requires courage, collaboration and a commitment to dialogue and shared understanding.

Commenting at the event, Glencree CEO Naoimh McNamee highlighted the profound impact of dialogue across the decades and the losses that occur when violence drowns out such critical exchanges. She paid tribute to the bravery of the church leaders who sought to bridge divides during a tumultuous period and how their courage reminds us of the resilience and vision necessary to resolve deep-seated conflict.