‘Peace baby’ hails agreement that allowed her to grow up in inclusive society

A “peace baby” born in the hours after the Good Friday Agreement was signed has said she was able to grow up in an inclusive society thanks to the peace deal.

Erin McArdle, from Co Antrim, met George Mitchell, who brokered the agreement, at an event at Queen’s University in Belfast.

Ms McArdle made headlines when she became the first baby to be born after the signing of the historic agreement in 1998.

Sharing a stage with Mr Mitchell, she said she has become more aware of the significance of the political deal as she has got older.

She said: “I remember starting Queen’s University in Belfast and I was so excited.

“My granny was like ‘I am so happy because that was an opportunity that we never had’.

“She was like ‘We would never have went to Belfast’.

“In one of my placements I was down in Altnagelvin in Derry/Londonderry and she was in awe that I was travelling up and down there every day with no worries, no concerns.

“From hearing their stories and mum and dad talking, I have got to realise how special it really is.”

Ms McArdle said she was able to be involved in cross-community projects throughout her education.

She said: “I went to St Joseph’s Primary School, which was a Catholic school, and there was Dunclug College across town and it was mostly Protestant students.

“It started when I was in P1 or P2 and they used to do days out together.

“That continued through my whole time at school. I played Gaelic, I played camogie, I also played some hockey, I played netball.

“I didn’t do any of that thinking I couldn’t do that or go there.

“I don’t think, growing up, I have ever thought of anybody because of their religion, it is probably the last thing which would ever come to my mind.”

She said it “blows her mind” to think how different her life has been compared with her mother’s.

Speaking to Mr Mitchell, she said: “I have grown up in the most loving, caring community.

“I have been able to do anything that I wanted.

“I have never felt that I couldn’t do anything, I have always felt safe and grew up in an inclusive society, and that is thanks to you.”

Her mother, Caroline McArdle, spoke about what the agreement meant to her:

She said: “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.”

Mr Mitchell said he was moved by the accounts of how Northern Ireland had changed since 1998.