Peace Comes Dropping Slow: My Life in the Troubles

by Denis Bradley

Denis Bradley was born and raised in Buncrana, just 12 miles from the border with Northern Ireland. On joining the priesthood he found himself assigned to the cathedral parish in Derry city, arriving in the summer of 1970 as the streets were descending into chaos with the outbreak of the Troubles.

An eyewitness to the wanton violence of Bloody Sunday, Bradley was spurred to become involved in the ‘backchannel’ as one of three men who would provide a secret link between the IRA and the British government for thirty years.

Fervent in their belief that dialogue would bring peace, they brokered the crucial 1993 meeting between IRA men Martin McGuinness and Gerry Kelly and a British Intelligence agent codenamed ‘Fred’. This was a vital step on the road to negotiations which would lead to the ceasefire and the Good Friday Agreement.

Throughout it all, Bradley worked to combat addiction and homelessness in his adopted community, and made the difficult decision to leave the priesthood to marry.

Once played out in the shadows, Bradley’s pivotal role in Northern Ireland’s peace process is finally illuminated in this engrossing memoir.

Genres: Ireland

274 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 9, 2024

Reviews

[Debs Erwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolutely fascinating, reflective and very readable account of the vital work in the background that ultimately led to the peace process.

[Niall · Rating 5 out of 5]

An insightful account of the author's role as a mediator between the IRA and the British government during and after the Northern Ireland 'troubles'. His involvement begins as a young priest in Derry in 1970 frustrated by the silence of the Catholic church on the social and political issues of the day. Being a priest gave him a certain status both with the IRA and the British government. However, he left the priesthood to get married; but along with two colleagues continued his role as a mediator. After a nervous start this culminated in the initiation of talks that led to the Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement in 1998. He then took on two challenging roles becoming vice chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board and co-chairman of the Consultative Group on the Past.

This is a well-written and thoughtful that I would recommend to anyone interested in the recent history of Northern Ireland. It would probably be helpful to have some prior knowledge of Northern Ireland, its history and politics.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best memoirs I have read in a long time. It's about Denis Bradley's part in helping to bring about peace in the north of Ireland during the period known as the 'Troubles'. It's a well-written and objective account of the times he lived through. He brings great psychological astuteness and insight to his writing. His narrative, as well as being factual about political events, also contains within it a very engaging spiritual element.

[Senioreuge · Rating 4 out of 5]

By comparison to the last Biography I read this is a far superior work. Of course the author had been involved in and around some very significant events in the North's recent history and had suffered for his trouble. He does not overly dwell on his role but credits others he laboured with for their efforts. Best to just say read this and learn.

[Eithne Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written memoir of someone who was in the maelstrom of the Troubles in Derry for many decades. It's a recount of what he saw and what he did. He constantly examines his own motives for his actions and he analyses the actions of others in a fair manner.
As objective as a memoir can be.

[Shaun Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read

Before reading this book I hadn't heard of Dennis Bradley, but as someone with an interest in the troubles I gave it ago.
Bradley was on the streets on Bloody Sunday and gave the last rights to victims.
Unfortunately over the years he did so too many times
He became involved in the back channel peace negotiations for 30 years.
Left the priesthood married and had children.
Well worth a read

[Thomas Harte · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a frank and honest account of the troubles by someone who was present and involved in bringing peace to Northern Ireland.

[Stephen McIntyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating look at the role paid by Denis and a few others over the period of The Troubles.