Northern Ireland

Patrick Kielty thanks integrated pupils for attending Good Friday Agreement event

Acting Principal of Hazelwood Integrated College Aine Leslie with panelists Dympna McGlade from Community Dialogue, Matt O’Neill Chair of the Integrated AlumNI and Kathy Wolff from Newtownabbey Community Relations Forum.
Acting Principal of Hazelwood Integrated College Aine Leslie with panelists Dympna McGlade from Community Dialogue, Matt O’Neill Chair of the Integrated AlumNI and Kathy Wolff from Newtownabbey Community Relations Forum.
By Allan Preston

Pupils from several integrated schools in Northern Ireland have attended a special screening of comedian Patrick Kielty's documentary - My Dad, the Peace Deal and Me.

The screening of the documentary, which explores the shooting of Kielty's father by loyalist paramilitaries and his thoughts on the Good Friday Agreement, was held at Hazelwood Integrated College in Belfast.

In a message shared with pupils, Mr Kielty said: "Delighted to be a part of this today. 25 years on, these guys are living the Good Friday Agreement - seeing the person and seeing the future. "Big love to Hazelwood Integrated College and Integrated Education Fund for the screening."

Taking part in a panel discussion, chaired by the broadcaster Jim Fitzpatrick, was Kathy Woldd from the Newtownabbey Community Relations Forum, Dympna McGlade from Community Dialogue and Hazelwood Integrated College past pupil Matt O'Neill from the Integrated AlumNI.

Acting Principal of Hazelwood Integrated College Aine Leslie, said Mr Kielty's story gave pupils the chance to reflect on the peace process and consider what the future might hold.

"Many of the students here today are the same age as Patrick was when his father was murdered," she said. 

"I think it is important that young people can learn about and engage with major events like the Good Friday Agreement and reflect on its significance for our society.”

Pupils from Lagan College asking questions in the panel discussion.
Pupils from Lagan College asking questions in the panel discussion.

Tina Merron, Chief Executive of the Integrated Education Fund (IEF) highlighted a "poignant" conversation with Mr Kielty and pupils from Shimna Integrated College in Newcastle.

"Their views and Patrick’s reflections echo the IEF’s vision of a society where more children from different traditions can learn and play together at the same school, helping to build a society where there is respect and celebration, not fear, of religious and cultural diversity.”

Further information on Integrated Education is available at www.ief.org.uk