Good Friday Agreement completes Northern Ireland tour

The Good Friday Agreement has finished its 800-mile tour around Northern Ireland to mark the 25th anniversary of its signing.

This is the first time that the original UK copy of the Agreement has returned to to the region since it was signed on 10 April 1998.

The agreement has been loaned by The National Archives in London to the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland.

Since April the agreement has been on display at Queen’s University Belfast, Hillsborough Castle, Strule Arts Centre in Omagh, Enniskillen Castle Museums, Omagh Library, Belfast Central Library, Linenhall Library, the Game of Thrones Studio Tour in Banbridge, Derry Central Library, Craigavon Civic Centre and Bangor City Hall. It is set to be displayed at at Hillsborough Castle from June until September.

The document is signed by then Prime Minister Tony Blair, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, the late Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Mo Mowlam and Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs David Andrews.

The current secretary of state for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris, said: "It is fantastic that the original Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement has returned to Northern Ireland for the first time since its historic signing 25 years ago, and that the public has had the opportunity to see the document across various locations in Northern Ireland.

"The Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement was an incredible achievement, helping to lay the foundation of a more prosperous Northern Ireland that we see today. It’s important that current and future generations are aware of its significance in helping to create a more peaceful society in Northern Ireland."

Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) acting director, David Huddleston, said: "We have been pleased to host the display of the original Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement at PRONI at venues across Northern Ireland, as part of our ongoing commitment to provide community access to public records.

"The opportunity to view the document up close and reflect on its historic significance has been taken up by many people, of different ages and backgrounds. The roadshow forms part of PRONI’s centenary programme of activities bringing archives to local audiences."

Image: Melkhayes, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons