AN ELATION FELT ACROSS IRELAND
An elation felt across Ireland
THE predominant emotion felt across Ireland after the announcement of the destination of the Nobel peace prize yesterday was elation.
It was hard not to be moved by the sheer strength and sincerity of the messages of congratulations directed to John Hume and David Trimble from almost every quarter.
The award effectively endorsed the involvement of a wide range of groups and individuals in the Irish peace process, but the two laureates
deserved individual recognition for different reasons.
Mr Trimble displayed enormous courage when he signed the Good Friday agreement, at a time when many small-minded party colleagues doubted his judgment.
His internal critics have not gone away, but he has displayed qualities of vision and determination sadly lacking in many of his predecessors.
He has also proved that, unlike his opponents, he has the ability to learn from the mistakes of the past, which in his case include his performance with Ian Paisley at Drumcree three years ago.
In many ways, that day was the start of a remarkable journey which has still be to be completed.
His most significant contribution came far away from the political stage when he travelled across the border to attend the funerals of three of the children murdered in the Omagh atrocity.
The idea that a unionist leader, and a member of the Orange Order, would take his seat in a Catholic church in the Republic of Ireland would have been unthinkable in the recent past.
Mr Trimble's gesture spoke louder than words, and was rightly rewarded through spontaneous and heartfelt applause from the Buncrana congregation.
Even though Mr Trimble's list of political achievements could not be seriously compared to those of Mr Hume, it was still appropriate that
both should be honoured by the Nobel committee.
They are, to all intents, the leaders of nationalism and unionism, and their relationship has been at the heart of this year's historic events.
As for Mr Hume, there is relatively little which still needs to be said. His remarkable public career, which is now in its fourth decade, has
been dedicated to the cause of permanent peace in Ireland and he is within sight of achieving his ambition.
One of the most enduring images of Mr Hume was provided when he broke down during the funeral of the victims of the Greysteel massacre five years ago and was immediately comforted by relatives of the innocent dead. They knew, as did all those prepared to look honestly at his record, that he carried on his shoulders the hopes of a community desperate for a future free from the curse of violence.
That was a heavy responsibility, which has taken a considerable personal toll on Mr Hume, but long before yesterday his efforts were vindicated.
The acclaim of the ordinary people of Ireland, both Catholic and Protestant, undoubtedly means more to Mr Hume than any of the many glittering international awards which have come his way.
There were others who could have been honoured yesterday, including Gerry Adams, Seamus Mallon, Mo Mowlam, George Mitchell and successive Irish and British premiers, but their day may yet come.
It is hardly worth reflecting on the jealous words aimed at Mr Hume and Mr Trimble yesterday from bitter minds within the DUP.
If the Nobel committee ever decides to award a prize for humbug and hypocrisy, that party's nomination will go unchallenged.
It would be wrong to offer any assessment of the new laureates without referring to Daphne Trimble and Pat Hume.
Mrs Trimble has been a reassuring presence at her husband's side during some of his most difficult days.
Mrs Hume has been one of the unsung heroes of the last 30 years, and it is fair to say that without her, the Nobel prize would have gone elsewhere yesterday.
As Mr Hume has often said, he may assemble the package but it is his wife who delivers it.
We have seen many remarkable days on this small island over recent years. Yesterday was as special as any of them.
THE predominant emotion felt across Ireland after the announcement of the destination of the Nobel peace prize yesterday was elation.
It was hard not to be moved by the sheer strength and sincerity of the messages of congratulations directed to John Hume and David Trimble from almost every quarter.
The award effectively endorsed the involvement of a wide range of groups and individuals in the Irish peace process, but the two laureates
deserved individual recognition for different reasons.
Mr Trimble displayed enormous courage when he signed the Good Friday agreement, at a time when many small-minded party colleagues doubted his judgment.
His internal critics have not gone away, but he has displayed qualities of vision and determination sadly lacking in many of his predecessors.
He has also proved that, unlike his opponents, he has the ability to learn from the mistakes of the past, which in his case include his performance with Ian Paisley at Drumcree three years ago.
In many ways, that day was the start of a remarkable journey which has still be to be completed.
His most significant contribution came far away from the political stage when he travelled across the border to attend the funerals of three of the children murdered in the Omagh atrocity.
The idea that a unionist leader, and a member of the Orange Order, would take his seat in a Catholic church in the Republic of Ireland would have been unthinkable in the recent past.
Mr Trimble's gesture spoke louder than words, and was rightly rewarded through spontaneous and heartfelt applause from the Buncrana congregation.
Even though Mr Trimble's list of political achievements could not be seriously compared to those of Mr Hume, it was still appropriate that
both should be honoured by the Nobel committee.
They are, to all intents, the leaders of nationalism and unionism, and their relationship has been at the heart of this year's historic events.
As for Mr Hume, there is relatively little which still needs to be said. His remarkable public career, which is now in its fourth decade, has
been dedicated to the cause of permanent peace in Ireland and he is within sight of achieving his ambition.
One of the most enduring images of Mr Hume was provided when he broke down during the funeral of the victims of the Greysteel massacre five years ago and was immediately comforted by relatives of the innocent dead. They knew, as did all those prepared to look honestly at his record, that he carried on his shoulders the hopes of a community desperate for a future free from the curse of violence.
That was a heavy responsibility, which has taken a considerable personal toll on Mr Hume, but long before yesterday his efforts were vindicated.
The acclaim of the ordinary people of Ireland, both Catholic and Protestant, undoubtedly means more to Mr Hume than any of the many glittering international awards which have come his way.
There were others who could have been honoured yesterday, including Gerry Adams, Seamus Mallon, Mo Mowlam, George Mitchell and successive Irish and British premiers, but their day may yet come.
It is hardly worth reflecting on the jealous words aimed at Mr Hume and Mr Trimble yesterday from bitter minds within the DUP.
If the Nobel committee ever decides to award a prize for humbug and hypocrisy, that party's nomination will go unchallenged.
It would be wrong to offer any assessment of the new laureates without referring to Daphne Trimble and Pat Hume.
Mrs Trimble has been a reassuring presence at her husband's side during some of his most difficult days.
Mrs Hume has been one of the unsung heroes of the last 30 years, and it is fair to say that without her, the Nobel prize would have gone elsewhere yesterday.
As Mr Hume has often said, he may assemble the package but it is his wife who delivers it.
We have seen many remarkable days on this small island over recent years. Yesterday was as special as any of them.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0452
Published Date: 17-Oct-98
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