15 March 2012: Féile an Earraig Public Meeting about the Ulster Covenant

As part of Féíle an Earraigh, on Thursday 15 March a public meeting/discussion about the Ulster Covenant was held in Berry Street Presbyterian Church. The BBC’s Yvette Shapiro chaired a panel discussion on the signing of the Ulster Covenant between Gordon Lucy, Dr Eamon Phoenix and Tom Hartley. Joanna Tuffy TD, Chair of the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, attended this event, along with fellow committee members Frank Feighan TD and Senator Martin McAleese. Deputy Tuffy commented that ‘within its remit, the committee has prioritised the issue of commemoration in the context of significant anniversaries arising over the next decade.’

The Ulster Covenant was signed in the aftermath of the introduction of the third Home Rule Bill in 1912. Organised by Féile an Phobail in Berry St Presbyterian Church in the city, this lively discussion on the covenant illuminated a rich part of our contested history, which in many ways still resonates in Northern Ireland today.

From History Ireland: The Ulster covenant.

Listen to the History Ireland Hedge School: ‘The Ulster Covenant 1912: An exercise in democracy or reaction?’

Or watch the recording here.

Explore the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) online exhibition on the Ulster Covenant.