Gate Conversations: Agreement at Dublin Theatre Festival
In October 2024, we collaborated on a series of Gate Conversations: three post-show panel discussions inspired by Agreement, a Lyric Theatre Belfast production by Owen McCafferty, directed by Charlotte Westenra, depicting events surrounding the Belfast Agreement set in 1998. Agreement was brought to The Gate Theatre in Dublin as part of Dublin Theatre Festival 2024 after award-winning runs in Belfast and New York. As part of its theatre run, three special conversations took place on 10, 18 and 24 October 2024. Each conversation explored a different aspect of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement with input from a series of high-profile panellists in politics, arts and culture, media, business and more. The series was designed as an arc of 3: Before, During and After the Agreement. British Council Ireland partnered with The Gate Theatre on this conversation series along with the British Embassy in Dublin.
To view images from the Gate Conversation: 'Before Agreement' on 10 October 2024 click here.
To view images from the Gate Conversation: 'During Agreement' on 18 October 2024 click here.
To view images from Agreement at the Gate Theatre with Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Hilary Benn on 23 October 2024 click here.
To view images from the Gate Conversation: 'After Agreement' on 24 October click here.
Synopsis:
The clock is ticking. It’s April 1998 and the main political parties in Northern Ireland, the British government and the Irish government, all under the watchful eye of Senator George Mitchell, try to hammer out a deal that could pave the way for peace in Northern Ireland. This is the last chance, and no one is leaving until agreement is reached one way or another. The production revisits the days leading up to the signing of the historic accord and features the main players involved in the discussions, including Mo Mowlam, Senator Mitchell, John Hume, Tony Blair, Bertie Ahern, Gerry Adams and David Trimble.
Panel Overview
10th October 2024- Before Agreement
On 10th October, journalist Olivia O'Leary hosted the Before Agreement panel. Examining the period in the run-up to the signing of the Belfast Agreement, the panel included Jim Gibney, former political prisoner and journalist; Stacey Gregg, writer and playwright; and Trevor Ringland, solicitor, former rugby union player, unionist politician and member of the NI Conservatives.
18th October 2024- During Agreement
On 18th October, broadcaster Claire Byrne hosted the Agreement panel, which looked at the negotiations and events around the signing of the Belfast Agreement itself. The panel included Gerry Adams, former leader of Sinn Féin; Bertie Ahern, former Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil; and Reg Empey, former leader of the Ulster Unionist Party.
24th October 2024- After Agreement
On 24th October, journalist Dearbhail McDonald hosted the After Agreement panel, which looked at the legacy of the Belfast Agreement and the current political and social landscape of Northern Ireland. This panel included Linda Ervine, language rights activist and project leader of the ‘Turas’ Irish language project; Deirdre Hargey, Sinn Féin MLA for Belfast South.
Find out more here.
