Senator George Mitchell returned to Belfast last night - the scene of his greatest achievement - as plans were unveiled to build a new home for a peace institute in his name at Queen’s University. 

And the man, who is world renowned for leading the peace talks that led to the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement in 1998, heard directly of the impact he had on the life of a Queen’s student who is a ‘peace baby’ - born on the day the Agreement was signed – and her mother.  

The event was held at the University to mark a dedication of the new home for the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice at Queen’s. 

Among those in attendance at the recently opened Seamus Heaney Centre, beside which the new Institute will be developed, were former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Secretary of State Hilary Benn MP and the First and deputy First Ministers Michelle O’Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly and a host of political leaders, past and present. 

Television presenter Donna Traynor, who famously announced the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in the touching closing episode of the ‘Derry Girls’ TV series, facilitated a thought-provoking conversation between Senator Mitchell and Queen’s student, Erin McArdle and her mother Caroline McArdle.  

Erin was born on 10 April 1998, on that historic day, and along with her mother Caroline reflected on how their lives had been impacted because of the work of Senator Mitchell and the other political leaders.   

A poignant coming together of different generations, particularly when recalling how Senator’s Mitchell’s son, Andrew, was born during a challenging time of the peace negotiations.  

Senator Mitchell had contemplated remaining in New York but changed his mind on learning the number of babies who had been born in Northern Ireland on the same day. 

During his speech at the Agreement 25 event last year at Queen’s, Senator Mitchell said: “Shouldn’t those 61 children in Northern Ireland have the same chance in life that we wanted for our son? All the doubts about my role in Northern Ireland vanished. No matter what, I would see it all the way through to an agreement.” 

The Senator once wrote about his dream of taking his son to Northern Ireland at a time of peace, which he did in September 2012, when Andrew was aged 14. On this occasion, he is visiting Northern Ireland with his daughter.  

Reflecting on how different her life was compared to her mother’s, Erin said:  

“It blows my mind to think how different my life was compared to my mum. We don’t have the same fear.”  

In a heartfelt thank you to Senator Mitchell, she said: 

“I’ve grown up in the most loving community. I’ve never felt I couldn’t do anything. I‘ve always felt safe and that’s thanks to you – thank you for giving me such a happy upbringing.” 

Caroline also spoke openly about what the agreement meant to her:

“It has made such a change to our lives – I love where I live, being part of Northern Ireland.  All your commitment, all your perseverance, that’s been done for all children – I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for my children.” 

The Senator was visibly moved by their words of gratitude sharing that he was deeply honoured to be part of this change.  

Also in attendance was Professor Declan Kelly, Former US Envoy and Queen’s Honorary Graduate who is leading the fundraising campaign to rebuild the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice. 

Originally established in 2016, it is a flagship interdisciplinary research institute providing a response to the unprecedented global challenge of building a peaceful, inclusive and secure world. The investment aims to transform how the Institute supports and leads on peace, security and justice, in shaping the peacemakers of the future.   

Professor Kelly said:

“I was honoured to be approached to lead the capital committee for the Mitchell Centre. We owe it to future generations to pass on all we can of George Mitchell’s towering accomplishment here through the long years that led to the Good Friday Agreement.” 

Queen’s President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Ian Greer, added:

“It is an honour to welcome our former Chancellor and close friend of the University, Senator George Mitchell, back to Queen’s for this special event.  

“Senator Mitchell was a key architect of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement, chairing the talks in 1998 that brought peace to this island. The continuing work that takes place at the Queen’s Institute that bears his name solidifies the Senator’s and Queen’s unwavering commitment to lasting peace for this island and its people.  

“This event was a celebration of how far we have come in terms of peace, and we look forward to continuing the work on global peace, security and justice when the new Institute building opens in the next few years.” 

First Minister Michelle O’Neill said:

“The George Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice showcases the positive change that has taken place in the north since the Belfast Good Friday Agreement.   Their research brings together unparalleled expertise to tackle some of the greatest global issues of our time. This knowledge and expertise is used to make real and practical differences to people living in the aftermath of conflict.

“This building and the Research Institute that bears his name, pay tribute to the commitment and dedication of Senator George Mitchell to bringing peace here and I want to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of Senator Mitchell throughout the peace process.”

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said:

“It was an honour to be part of this special event to celebrate this Institute and the legacy of Senator George Mitchell.  The progress that has been made over the course of the last 26 years has been remarkable and Senator Mitchell’s commitment to Northern Ireland and his deep understanding of here has been an important part of that journey.

“This initiative will reflect the importance of peace but it will also remind us of the frailty and how we all must continue to work at maintaining it.  I have no doubt this Institute will help shape the world globally in a really positive way.”

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn said:

“I was deeply honoured to meet with Senator Mitchell, and to attend the new building dedication for the George Mitchell Institute of Global Peace, Security & Justice.

“Senator Mitchell is one of the world's most respected and accomplished peace negotiators. Among his many achievements, he was a central architect of the Northern Ireland peace process. His mediation skills and perseverance were instrumental in laying the ground for, and then negotiating, the Good Friday Agreement, which in 1998 finally drew to an end of three decades of conflict. An enormous debt of gratitude is owed to him for the leadership he showed and inspired in others.

“The fact that the Institute carries his name reflects his outstanding peace-building legacy, and it is fantastic that the Institute’s work on conflict resolution will continue in the new building.”

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