Irish Ambassador Fionnuala Gilsenan reflects on 25 years of the Good Friday Agreement

It is now 25 years since the Good Friday Agreement was signed, bringing a halt to decades of violence and political conflict in Ireland. In the aftermath of fresh developments in the relationships between Ireland, the United Kingdom and the European Union following Brexit, Ireland’s Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa, Her Excellency Fionnuala Gilsenan, will address the Cape Town Press Club on the significance of the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

Ireland and South Africa have long and strong historical links. During the apartheid era, Ireland played an important role in the international anti-apartheid struggle. South Africans – including Mac Maharaj, Roelf Meyer and Cyril Ramaphosa – played significant roles in facilitating the peace process in Northern Ireland.

Prior to Ambassador Gilsenan’s appointment in 2019, she worked for the Irish diplomatic service in a number of capacities, in East Timor, Ethiopia, and Tanzania, and then as Africa Director from 2016-2019.

She will take questions.

Photo/s: Embassy Direct