25 years of the Good Friday Agreement Celebration (GFA25).

11 May 2023

Monday, 22 May 2023 at 9.15am at UCC’s Centre for Executive Education, No 1 Lapp’s Quay.

University College Cork is delighted to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement with an event examining GFA25 and the Island of Ireland. This event will take place on Monday, 22 May 2023 from 9.15a.m.- 1.15p.m., at  No 1 Lapps Quay, UCC Centre for Executive Education. All are welcome.

Registration is essential. Please click here.

The event is supported by the Institute for International and European Affairs (IIEA), the Analysing Research North and South (ARINS) project and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

On 22 May 1998, the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) was put to the people in two referendums, both North and South of the border and the people of the island of Ireland voted resoundingly to endorse it. 

Commentary on the Good Friday Agreement typically focuses on how it impacts on Northern Ireland. However, at the heart of the Agreement are the principles, institutions and processes which encompass the ‘totality of relationships’ on the island of Ireland and between Ireland and Britain.  The Agreement, therefore, continues to be consequential for the Republic of Ireland, as much as for Northern Ireland and the UK – along with the rest of the European Union and the US.

UCC aims to consider and reflect on what the Good Friday Agreement means for our jurisdiction during this 25th anniversary year. This is important in the context of developing a deeper understanding of the past, present, and future for the Agreement across the entire island.  The intention is to spark discussion and understanding of the Agreement’s key role, in all its dimensions, in continuing to underpin peace and prosperity.

GFA25 and the Island of Ireland Programme

9.15am: UCC President, Professor John O’Halloran, will welcome the Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath, guest speakers, panel members and attendees.

9.20am: Opening address by Minister Michael McGrath.

9.40am: Professor Brendan O’Leary, University of Pennsylvania, will give insights in his address entitled ‘Permanent Negotiation? Looking Back at the Good Friday Agreement and Forward’.

10.40am: Break for coffee/tea and networking.

11.00am: Mr Danny McCoy, IBEC, will address the audience on ‘GFA25: The Economic and Prosperity Dimension’.

12.00pm: Moderated panel discussion on “GFA25 in all its dimensions”. (moderated by Sam McBride, Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Independent).

1.15pm: Closing remarks by Dr Mary C. Murphy, University College Cork and Dr Barry Colfer, IIEA.

1:30pm: Lunch (provided).

For a more detailed Programme of the event, click Programme of the GFA25 Event