Project summary
This project focuses on the historic importance of grassroots civil society activists to the Northern Ireland peace process (1989–98), while offering frameworks and support for continued cross-community dialogue and cooperation dedicated towards greater social integration.
By engaging with a wide range of grassroots activists and organisations from the trade unions, churches, the arts, and community organizations, the project has helped increase public appreciation of the historical and present-day work of civil society groups in facilitating peace and reconciliation efforts across Northern Ireland and with Eire.
Full project title
Paths to Peace: Civil Society, History and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland
Lead author
Project highlights
- public engagement and commemorative events (‘Witness Seminar’ on the Peace Train Organisation in March 2023
- a public conference on civil society and the peace process in April 2023
- Exhibition at Linen Hall, Belfast, March 2025
- launch of a new literary periodical (New Isles Press) dedicated to breaking down borders between south and north in Ireland, as well as between different cultural traditions; significant international media profile providing expert commentary on contemporary Irish politics and civil society New Ireland ‘on the cards’? ‘Campaign in full gear’, yet push for reunification remains ‘skin deep’ – France24.com -11th April 2023
- President of Ireland receives Dr Connal Parr, Lecturer in History, Northumbria University, on a courtesy call – President of Ireland’s website – 26th Nov, 2021
- Exhibition Launch event “At the Crossroads: The Campaign for Civil Rights in Northern Ireland” – at the Linen Hall, Belfast Spring 2025
- Learning from messy Northern Ireland civil rights campaign – Shared Future News’ Post on LinkedIn
Will I Be Heard? Trauma, Healing, Stories – panel 1 from Paving the Path to Peace Conference
Image gallery
Partners and Sponsors
Project classification
Paths to Peace is a History project. It belongs to the following research clusters:
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