Good Friday Agreement: Northern Ireland's first 'Peace Baby' is optimistic about the future
Last updated 11th Apr 2023
On the 10th April 1998, the world held it's breath as the Good Friday Agreement was proudly displayed on the steps of Stormont. As celebrations began across Northern Ireland, one family welcomed the new found hope with the arrival of their baby girl.
Kerrie Hope Sara Patterson was born in The Royal Victoria Hospital just 25 minutes after the signing of the historic agreement, becoming the first child born into a 'New' Northern Ireland.
The County Antrim woman said she first realised the significance of her birthday as a primary school child.
"I realised it was more than just a birthday when I turned 10," she said.
"When I was younger, I didn't fully understand what The Good Friday Agreement meant, but now as I get older, it means more to me every year"
The 25 year old is effectively the first of a generation who have known nothing but peace, but Kerrie said she doesn't take it for granted.
"This year as I have been learning more about the key drivers of the agreement, and building up a bigger picture of what life looked like in Northern Ireland before the deal was signed, I feel especially lucky to have been born into a generation that grew up in a mostly happy and peaceful society."
Miss Patterson said the milestone anniversary offers a moment to reflect on how society has progressed in a quarter of a century.
"This 25th Anniversary has been very special as people reflect on how far we have come and still recognise how we can move forward"
"This year, I am remembering the political and community leaders who fought so hard for the agreement but also my parents' generation who raised their children with open minds and showed a willingness to make society more integrated"
The Lisburn woman's parents vision for a 'New' Northern Ireland free from conflict saw them gift their daughter the middle name 'Hope'.
"In the days leading up to the 10th April 1998, there was so much uncertainty if a deal would ever be reached, with many false dawns along the way. For the public the agreement meant so much more than just the paper it was written on."
"For many people it symbolised hope"
"My Granny suggested my parents should incorporate that sense of optimism into my name. That's how I became Kerrie Hope."
"I believe hope is exactly what the Good Friday Agreement gave many people in Northern Ireland - hope that the future was going to be much brighter, with peace in sight."
"25 years on, I believe the Good Friday Agreement has lived up to that hope"
As both Kerrie and the deal turn 25, she said that she is thankful to have grown up in a largely peaceful society.
"When I watch videos or hear stories of what Northern Ireland looked like before I was born, it is very different to the country I see today."
"I have seen videos of places of bomb attacks in places such as Castle Court and iconic Belfast buildings where I spent a lot of time growing up. Thankfully, that is entirely different to my memories of childhood."
"The Good Friday Agreement certainly drew a line in the sand and put a halt to major conflict."
Asked if the Good Friday Agreement still has an impact on Northern Ireland today, Kerrie said society here reflects that it does.
"The Good Friday Agreement still has relevance today, but some aspects need to be carefully considered. Take for example power sharing at Stormont, it was one of the major achievements at the time, but today, It is still not functioning as it was intended."
But Kerrie said we must accept progress, even if it's not at an ideal pace.
"The Executive has been functioning for most of my lifetime, and while it is currently lying empty, we can not neglect all the legislation that has been passed in its chambers since 1998."
"Making Government work was never going to be easy, particularly in a society with polarising beliefs and one that is still recovering from years of trauma. Agree with them or not, we now have local representatives raising their voices for local people."
Looking to the future, the 25 year old said she is certain her generation will propel Northern Ireland forward.
"I am really optimistic for the future. Northern Ireland is a fantastic country and we have come so far in 25 years. In a positive way, we have so much more still to do, to make it the best it can possibly be, but the future excites me."
"25 years from now, I hope that as a society we continue to flourish and become more integrated and maintain and build on our respect for each other, seizing every opportunity that comes our way"