The first child born here after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement has met the man who chaired the talks that led to the historic deal — expressing her gratitude she will soon be getting married in a time of peace.
Erin McArdle (26) from Co Antrim took part in an event at Queen’s University where plans were announced for a new home for the peace institute named after Senator George Mitchell.
The ‘peace baby’ was joined by the former diplomat (91). It’s one of several high-profile events Erin has attended over the last 18 months to mark the 25th anniversary of the peace.
And next year she’ll celebrate her own big day when she weds Dean McAtamney.
Erin and her fiancé Dean
“We’re just under the year, it’ll be next September, we’ve got all the big things planned so it’s very exciting,” she said.
“He’s been very supportive. We have a laugh about this, but Dean is a Protestant, so we always joke that you can’t get any better than the Good Friday baby marrying a Protestant!
“But Dean thinks it’s great, his parents grew up in the Troubles as well, and we have the best supportive families around us.
“We are always thinking we are very lucky to be getting married at the time that we are.”
Erin as a baby with her mum Caroline
Erin was born at Antrim Area Hospital 42 minutes after the Agreement was signed on April 10, 1998.
She’s well aware of the symbolic nature of her arrival in the world.
“I have had the most amazing childhood and people do ask me about it all the time, about being the ‘Good Friday baby’,” she said.
“I always have to reflect on what my mum and dad said about that time.
“I hold the title close to my heart, and as I’ve gotten older, it means more to me.
“I remember taking part in celebrations for the 10th anniversary, and I thought it was the best thing ever simply because I got a new dress.”
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On Wednesday, Erin and mum Caroline joined Senator Mitchell in a conversation chaired by broadcaster Donna Traynor at Queen’s.
The determined and perpetually patient Mitchell was one of the main factors in getting the painstaking negotiations finally across the line in 1998.
Erin said: “My granny always tells a story about how, when I was two years old, Senator Mitchell was on the television and I was watching it.
“My granny then said wouldn’t it be nice in my lifetime if I ever got to meet him.”
Erin McArdle holds hands with Senator George Mitchell at the Queen’s University event this week
That wish came true this week. Erin added: “I was nervous. I obviously can’t remember anything about what we are talking about, so it’s obviously really humbling to hear him talk about his own story, and him going back to America and saying it (the peace deal) had fallen through, before coming back.
“It was unbelievable and a real privilege. I’ve done lots of events for the Good Friday Agreement, but I honestly have to say that Wednesday night’s was one of the best, and one of the most relaxed.”
Erin and her younger sister Rhiannon, who is studying law, have a running joke that she should have been the ‘peace baby’, as she is so into politics.
Erin also has an older sister, Jessica, who was born 22 months before her, with the Troubles still going on.
She said her mum always reflects on the difference in the political atmosphere between both girls’ arrivals.
She explained: “My mummy says when she brought my sister home she was worried about bringing a baby into that environment, that she asked herself was it safe to raise a child here.
“Then she describes bringing me home, days after the Agreement, and it feeling completely different.
“Hopefully, after my wedding, I’ll have my own family and I will be able to bring up my children just like myself.”