Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

RT One to premiere The Secret Peacemaker this Easter Sunday

04/04/2023

Drama-documentary set to air on the extraordinary true story of Fr Alec Reid's secret mission in Northern Ireland

To mark the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement, on 10th April 1998, this landmark drama-documentary, set to be broadcast on RT One and the RT Player, tells the inspiring story of Fr Alec Reid, the maverick, Tipperary-raised Redemptorist priest, whose vision, tenacity and secret diplomacy brought an end to armed conflict in Northern Ireland.

In 1988, after years of studiously avoiding press and public attention, Father Reid first came to the world's attention, after he was photographed trying to save the life of a British corporal, beaten and shot in the aftermath of an IRA funeral. The haunted face of Father Reid, as he administered the Last Rites somehow epitomised the best and worst of the human impact of the Troubles.

Unknown to most, though, that photograph also captured the secret peacemaker at work. In Fr Reid's jacket pocket that day were the first documents of a fledgling plan to end the conflict.

Based on interviews recorded with Fr Reid before his death, ten years ago, this film charts his ambitious and perilous peace mission to stop the killing. We meet some of the key players in that drama, much of which unfolded in secret. Contributors include former Republican and Loyalist paramilitaries, Jake Mac Siacais and David Packie Hamilton; peacemakers, Monica McWilliams, the Rev Harold Good and the Rev Ken Newell; former Sinn F in President, Gerry Adams; former SDLP Deputy Leader, Br d Rodgers; former UUP leader, Mike Nesbitt; the Commissioner for Victims and Survivors, Ian Jeffers; and journalists, Tim Pat Coogan, Brendan O'Brien and Mark Devenport.

Speaking on Fr Alec:

Behind the scenes he was seeking to find a solution. That was the man's heart. It's love and compassion - former Loyalist paramilitary, David Packie Hamilton.

I think saying I represent the next victim was a very brave thing to do, because it put a face on the victim. This was a person. It could have been a member of your family. - Ian Jeffers, Commissioner for Victims and Survivors.

Father Reid understood the importance of the psychology of peacebuilding which is, when you sit down to make peace, you don't make it with your friends. - Monica McWilliams, Human Rights activist and Co-founder of the Northern Ireland Women's Coalition.

I think it would be wrong to think of Alec Reid as either na ve or saintly. He was a practical man. He knew how to identify people who he could trust and who would trust him. - Brendan O'Brien, Author and Journalist.

The film also features acclaimed Irish actor, Marty Rea, as Fr Alec in dramatic reconstructions of key events.
LINK: https://about.rte.ie/2023/04/04/rte-one-to-premiere-the-secret-peacema...
See more stories from rte

More from RTE

22/03/2024

RT kicks off Guinness Women's Six Nations coverage with France v Ireland

Watch all the games live across RT and Virgin Media Television from Saturday 23rd March All Ireland games live on RT Radio The Guinness Women's Six Nat...

21/03/2024

Award-winning Dizzy Deliveries confirmed for a new series on RTjr this April

Exclusive episode released to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day Award-winning children's series Dizzy Deliveries is back, with season two premiering on 15t...

20/03/2024

RT Winners at the RTS Ireland Awards

RT had six winners across ten categories at last night's RTS Ireland awards which took place in Dublin's Liberty Hall Theatre with host Dermot Whelan a...

15/03/2024

Celebrate the Best of Irish Culture with RT this St Patrick's Weekend

The Late Late Show hosts a world record attempt for the largest c il band performance Irish weekend sporting action from Six Nations to Allianz League Dancin...

13/03/2024

RT SHORT STORY COMPETITION 2024 OPEN FOR ENTRIES

TELL US YOUR (SHORT) STORIES The 2024 RT Short Story Competition is now open for entries. The RT Short Story Competition was set up in 1986 to honour wr...

12/03/2024

Statement by RT Director-General on the death of Charlie Bird

Kevin Bakhurst, Director-General of RT paid tribute to former RT journalist Charlie Bird following his death. We are all deeply saddened by the news of Char...

11/03/2024

Ireland's heartbreaking defeat to England draws average of almost 1 million viewers to RT2

Viewing numbers peak at 1.2m Additional 230,000 streams on RT Player Ireland...

08/03/2024

2024 Celtic Media Festival: RT drama Obituary nominated alongside Amazon Prime and BBC dramas

RT and independent Irish producers receive 19 Nominations for the 2024 Celtic...

08/03/2024

LONGEST FBI CASE RESOLVED BY RT PODCAST SERIES RUNAWAY JOE A FAMILY TORN APART REUNITED

The final episode of the RT true crime podcast series Runaway Joe uncovers new ...

07/03/2024

Cian Ducrot Voted RT Choice Music Prize Irish Song of The Year

Cian Ducrot Voted RT Choice Music Prize Irish Song of The Year Irish Album of The Year to be announced at Live Event in Vicar Street tonight Irish Artist of ...

05/03/2024

New RT lyric fm show on Sunday Afternoons with Simon Delaney

RT lyric fm has announced a new addition to their schedule, Sunday Afternoon with Simon Delaney. Join stage and screen actor Simon Delaney every Sunday afterno...

01/03/2024

HARRY CORRY SPONSOR LIVELINE ON RT RADIO 1

RT Media Sales has announced Harry Corry as new sponsor of Liveline on RTE Radio 1 from today, Friday 1 March 2024. When the nation has something to say, the...

01/03/2024

RT Announces Appointment of Mari Hurley as Chief Financial Officer

RT Announces Appointment of Mari Hurley as Chief Financial Officer RT is pleased to announce the appointment of Mari Hurley to the role of Chief Financial Of...

29/02/2024

Evelyn O'Rourke announced as RT Arts and Media Correspondent

RT News is pleased to announce Evelyn O'Rourke has been appointed as Arts and Media Correspondent following an internal competition. An award winning RT ...

23/02/2024

Statement by Kevin Bakhurst, Director-General of RT: Sin N Raghallaigh

In a note to the staff of RT this morning, Director-General, Kevin Bakhurst, said: It is with deep regret that I share with you the announcement by Si n N R...

22/02/2024

RT Choice Music Prize Classic Irish Album Announced

RT Choice Music Prize In association with IMRO and IRMA Classic Irish Album And the winning album is Achtung Baby by U2 Live Event, Vicar St Thursday 7th...

22/02/2024

RT Publishes Updated Legal Advice Regarding the Departures of Individuals

RT is today making available the updated legal advice received in respect of questions arising in connection with recent departures of executive-level senior m...

21/02/2024

RT Choice Music Prize Conversations 2024: 7th March, 12.00-16.00

RT Choice Music Prize In association with IMRO and IRMA Conversations 2024 7th March, 12.00-16.00 http://www.choicemusicprize.ie/conversations/ Live Event...

21/02/2024

Allcare Pharmacy sponsors Brendan O'Connor on RT Radio 1

RT Media Sales has announced Allcare Pharmacy as sponsor of Brendan O' Connor, RT Radio 1, Saturday & Sunday, 11am-1pm. Brokered by Javelin, the ten-mont...

19/02/2024

Line-up: RT Radio 1 Folk Awards - Vicar Street 27.02.24

The 6th RT Radio 1 Folk Awards will be held in Vicar Street, Dublin on Tuesday 27th of February at 7.45pm. The Awards will be broadcast live on RT Radio 1 and...

17/02/2024

Statement RT Director-General, Kevin Bakhurst

Commenting today, RT Director-General, Kevin Bakhurst said: As I have stated already, RT has previously received legal advice that it is restricted from pro...

14/02/2024

RT and ITV reveal first look at second series of The Dry

RT and ITVX have revealed a first look at the cast of the highly anticipated second series of The Dry, which will air on RT One and RT Player later in the sp...

14/02/2024

Opening Statements: Joint Oireachtas Media Committee 14.02.24

To view today's Opening Statement to the Joint Oireachtas Media Committee by RT Director General, Kevin Bakhurst, click here. To view today's Opening ...

13/02/2024

Statement from the RT Board

In compiling, preparing and producing its independent Report on Toy Show The Musical, Grant Thornton, in applying its methodology under its Terms of Reference t...

13/02/2024

Home of the Year returns for its 10th series on RT

The tenth series of much-loved property series Home of the Year starts Tuesday 20th February at 8.30pm on RT One and RT Player. Since first appearing on scre...

09/02/2024

RT COVERAGE OF THE STATE FUNERAL OF FORMER TAOISEACH, JOHN BRUTON

RT will broadcast live coverage on television, radio and online of the State Funeral of former Taoiseach, John Bruton. On Friday 9th February Mr Bruton's ...

08/02/2024

TRONA N DHOMHNAILL TO RECEIVE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD AT RT RADIO 1 FOLK AWARDS

TR ONA N DHOMHNAILL TO RECEIVE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD AT RT RADIO 1 FOLK...

08/02/2024

MORE LISTENERS TUNING INTO RT'S RADIO SERVICES ACCORDING TO LATEST JNLR LISTENERSHIP FIGURES

RT 's radio services reach over two million adults* or 48% every week RT ...

07/02/2024

RT Supporting the Arts: What's On this February

Watch our promo: RT Supporting the Arts | What's on YouTube This February RT is delighted to support the Dublin International Film Festival 2024, along...

01/02/2024

RT Publishes Results of Public and Staff Consultations on New Direction Document

RT recently published a ten-point plan setting a new direction for the radical transformation of the organisation, outlining a vision for a new RT in the form...

31/01/2024

RT Publishes Report Report Examining Voluntary Exit Programmes operated in 2017 and 2021

RT is today publishing the independent report by McCann FitzGerald LLP, which r...

30/01/2024

RT Choice Music Prize: Live Event Line-up Announcement

RT Choice Music Prize In association with IMRO and IRMA Live Event Line-up Announcement Vicar Street, Dublin Thursday 7th March 7.30pm Limited Tickets on...

30/01/2024

Bambie Thug will represent Ireland at The Eurovision Song Contest 2024

Bambie Thug's Doomsday Blue is chosen on Late Late Show Eurosong Special Bambie Thug will represent Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, having eme...

29/01/2024

RT PUBLISHES HIGHEST PRESENTER EARNINGS FOR 2022

RT PUBLISHES HIGHEST PRESENTER EARNINGS FOR 2022 RESTATED EARNINGS FOR 2021 ALSO PUBLISHED RT is today publishing the earnings for its ten highest-paid pres...

25/01/2024

RT lyric fm launches new Where Life Sounds Greener inserts

Where Life Sounds Greener is a series of new inserts on RT lyric fm, as listeners are invited to meet some extraordinary people, each one driven by their love ...

25/01/2024

Statement by Sin N Raghallaigh, Chair of the RT Board

January 25th 2024 The Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) of the RT Board commissioned Grant Thornton to conduct an independent fact-finding review in relation to ...

24/01/2024

BRYAN DOBSON ANNOUNCES HE IS RETIRING FROM RT THIS SPRING

Broadcaster Bryan Dobson has announced that he has decided to retire from RT at the end of April this year. Currently presenter of RT News at One with Bryan D...

22/01/2024

OLIVER CALLAN ANNOUNCED AS NEW PRESENTER AT NINE O'CLOCK ON RT RADIO 1

Oliver Callan will present a new morning programme Oliver Callan on RT Radio 1, weekdays from 9am to 10am from Monday, January 29th. The announcement was mad...

15/01/2024

RT and Virgin Media Television announce Six Nations coverage

The Six Nations kicks off on Friday 2 February with every game live and free-to-air across RT and Virgin Media Television Coverage includes Ireland Men's,...

12/01/2024

RT's 2023 Internship Programme: Applications now open

We're thrilled to announce that applications for the 2024 RT Internship programme are now open. You can apply through the following link: Vacancies - Abou...

12/01/2024

RT Delivers 42 of the Top 50 of 2023's Most-Watched Shows on Television

PATRICK KIELTY'S LATE LATE TOY SHOW DEBUT IS MOST WATCHED TV PROGRAMME OF 2023 RT Delivers 42 of the Top 50 of 2023's Most-Watched Shows on TV, with ...

12/01/2024

RT Choice Music Prize Irish Song of the Year 2023 Shortlist Announcement

RT Choice Music Prize In association with IMRO and IRMA Irish Song of the Year 2023 Shortlist Announcement Irish Artist of the Year 2023 - Shortlist Iris...

10/01/2024

RT Supporting the Arts: What's On this January

Watch our promo: RT Supporting the Arts | What's On This January RT is delighted to support First Fortnight Mental Health Art and Culture Festival 2024, ...

10/01/2024

RT RETURNS TO THE RDS FOR THE 2024 BT YOUNG SCIENTIST & TECHNOLOGY EXHIBITION

#BTYSTE #BTYSTE2024 RT is delighted to return to the RDS this year for the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition from Wednesday 10th - Saturday 13th of J...

09/01/2024

RT NEWS ANNOUNCES NEW MIDLANDS CORRESPONDENT

RT News is pleased to confirm the appointment of RT journalist, Gail Conway, as Midlands Correspondent, covering for colleague Sin ad Hussey for the duration ...

08/01/2024

RT Choice Music Prize Irish Album of the Year 2023 Shortlist Announcement

RT Choice Music Prize #rtechoiceprize In association with IMRO and IRMA Irish Album of the Year 2023 Shortlist Announcement A Week of Announcements on 2F...

05/01/2024

Four brand-new building projects for new season of Room to Improve with Dermot Bannon

Architect Dermot Bannon is back and building again with a new series of Room to ...

04/01/2024

CASH & CARRY KITCHENS sponsor RT Radio 1 Today with Claire Byrne

RT Media Sales today announced that Cash & Carry Kitchens will sponsor Today with Claire Byrne from Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024. The mid-morning show beginning ...