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A concert dedicated to International Peace, to open the 2002 Sligo International Choral Festival, was followed by a second unique event in an Irish jail. A Goodwill Concert was performed in Castlerea Prison, Co. Roscommon, which led to a private meeting with the Republican paramilitary prisoners, at their invitation, by myself and Terry Waite. During our meeting, an assurance was given that despite weapons decommissioning issues, the IRA’s long campaign of political violence was over.
The members of Warrington Male Voice Choir share a great fellowship and their appeal is by demonstrating that true reconciliation springs from a generosity of spirit. By reaching out to the people of Ireland the choir has made a particular contribution to the peace process. Participation in Mass in Belfast, Derry, Armagh, Dublin, Tralee, and Sligo, together with special Anglican, Methodist and Presbyterian Church services, has led to a wide acceptance of the choir’s purpose and impartiality.
The choir is strictly non-sectarian in its approach. It actively encouraged and financed cross-community activities involving children and teenagers in the interface areas of West Belfast through its Warrington Fund. The fund was established by the choir in March 1994 from the proceeds of the first Dublin concert, and was administered locally in Belfast by Co-operation Ireland. It was maintained for a decade by public donations and further choir events. Direct financial support was also provided for the St. Columb’s Park House Reconciliation Centre in Derry, and for community activities in Limerick.
Each visit by the choir to the island of Ireland demands deep commitment and considerable expense, but creates new friendships, develops civic links, presses home the message of goodwill, gives strength and encouragement to others, and adds to the sense of hope. The choir recognised that the tolerance of young people was the key to a peaceful future and sought to involve young people in its reconciliation concerts, both in Ireland and in England. Youth activities were also made the focus for the Warrington Fund.
The value of the choir’s activities over fifteen years has been generously expressed by Terry Waite in comments to a local newspaper: “The choir have made a profound contribution. I have been with them many times, particularly in Northern Ireland, when they have had a dramatic impact….I believe that at the end of the day the choir’s involvement will be recognised as a contribution that will have been important in bringing people together. Their music can inspire and encourage people to lift their eyes above the mundane and see what can be achieved. Some people need a vision of what can be done and the choir can bring people together to achieve that vision.”
There was quiet satisfaction within the choir when in November 2007, at a news conference in London, Sein Fein leader Gerry Adams publicly stated that the IRA attack on Warrington had indeed been the turning point in the Troubles. And again when, earlier this year, as the choir marked the tenth anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in partnership with the Irish Peace Institute with special concerts in Belfast and Dublin, a personal letter of endorsement was received from former U.S. President Bill Clinton.