In the chill of an evening as darkness takes over, the stark outlines of ash trees do little to warm up the resting place of poet Seamus Heaney, nestled in a remote corner of St Mary’s Church near the boundary of Bellaghy, in Derry. Ever since his burial in August 2013, a well-trodden track has formed leading to the final resting place of this acclaimed Noble laureate, who frequently used Bellaghy as inspiration in his works.
“Seamus remained deeply rooted to his home; you might even go as far as to say he never truly left Bellaghy,” was the sentiment expressed by his late brother, Hugh Heaney. Indeed, even in death, he has managed to reshape the village. With the inauguration of the Seamus Heaney HomePlace in 2016, his poetry and life have been showcased whilst encouraging and nurturing new talent.
The centre, which was primarily famous previously as a burial site for the hunger strikers of the 1981 Maze, Francis Hughes and Thomas McElwee, has since drawn substantial crowds. Not only does the Centre present Heaney’s works, it also houses a theatre for events and performances unrelated to poetry. Even a quaint bistro is found onsite, as highlighted by a staff member.
Just last week, the SDLP organised a session attended by almost 100 interested individuals, to participate in discussions about the New Ireland Commission’s vision for the future of the island. In both its tone and content, this commission noticeably contrasts the views held by the more prominent and wealthier Ireland’s Future Group, which recently laid out its proposal for a referendum to be held in a decade’s time.
Ireland’s Future pushed the agenda that the Belfast Agreement has already imposed “significant restrictions on the exercising of self-determination rights” of Ireland’s population. They believe that steps towards ‘reconciliation’, however defined, need not, and should not, precede a referendum. They further argue that this goal can only be achieved following the transition to new constitutional protocols.
In contrast, the New Ireland Commission takes a distinct stand, advocating that unifying the people of Ireland can only be reached by promoting a spirit of collaboration, collective problem-solving, and reconciliation, norms upon which the Belfast Agreement is established.
Drawing from the wisdom of SDLP founder John Hume, the organisation advocates for a new Ireland that requires collective efforts aimed at establishing lasting harmonious relationships. This effort ensures equal representation for all citizens.
In pursuit of a wider perspective, the commission taps into the expertise of distinguished individuals like the former top-notch Northern Ireland Office official Chris Maccabe, previous Irish diplomat Brendan McMahon, and UCD scholar John Coakley.
SDLP CEO, Conor Houston, during the gathering, emphasised their desire to foster a platform where every citizen can contribute to discussions about the future of the island.
The party seems committed to ensuring that activities align with six core principles, which include promoting reconciliation, celebrating diversity, leaving no one behind, involving citizens, prioritising the future, and maintaining transparency.
South Belfast MP Claire Hanna, born in Galway, noted the shifting dynamics in a matter of weeks. Initially scheduled for January 18th, their meeting was hampered by snow blocking most routes in the North and a non-operational Stormont Executive and Assembly. Thankfully, Stormont reconvened after the scheduled date.
Hanna reflected on the new discussions held in contrast to what they might have been several weeks prior. She found an overarching optimism in the air, likely thanks to the advent of spring.
Moving forward, Hanna reinforced that the pursuit of a prosperous, reconciled Ireland embodies their mission. Advocates of a new Ireland must articulate the vision more explicitly to facilitate meaningful dialogues, an aspect she referred to as ‘the conversation’.
Crucially, better explaining the steps towards the envisioned future demands more discussion, especially on how to facilitate change in a region where dialogue among the population seems limited and where individuals view each other from a tribal perspective.
Hanna emphasises that we need to move beyond what she terms the ‘Does your unionist friend take sugar?’ dimension of conversation, highlighting that we’re often talking past each other in a non-specific manner. She points out that the process of constitutional change is usually the source of greater anxiety for most people compared to its ultimate outcome.
One quote from Sammy Douglas, former MLA now councillor, strongly resonates with Hanna. In Susan McKay’s book, Douglas stated he didn’t dread a united Ireland, rather, he was afraid of the decade leading to it. This view, Hanna believes, is shared by many as results from polls dictate. While it’s not necessary to surrender or give in to this perspective, she affirms it’s vital to recognise and validate it.
In spite of interruptions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the commission has succeeded in fostering numerous engagements over the last three years across Northern Ireland. This includes discussions with loyalists and unionists, with a notable interaction involving loyalist women in East Belfast.
Hanna explained the goal is to bring to light all existing hopes and apprehensions. She dismisses the notion that unionists are unresponsive and selective in conversations. Contrarily, she said they have encountered open-mindedness and probing questions. People are pondering deeply about their children’s future and their enterprises. They are interpreting their surrounding circumstances.
During Stormont’s collapse, Hanna observed that people began exploring other alternatives. Now that it’s restored, it hasn’t quelled the curiosity that arose from that period. Many people currently align with their belief that scrutinising these issues could foster reconciliation and promote good governance.
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