A Shared Home Place

by Seamus Mallon

A harbinger of hope, this timely memoir by one of the most prominent Catholic nationalist politicians in Northern Ireland is a primary source for the social and political history of the province, from the onset of the Troubles in the 1960s to the 1990s peace process and beyond. Its authentic voice lends it a vitality and an urgency that illuminates our recent past.
In this book, Mallon describes his happy upbringing in South Armagh as a Catholic in a 90% Protestant village; his turbulent years as a constitutional politician in the violent maelstrom of near-civil war, when he was the target of both loyalist violence and republican vilification; and his central role in the peace process as the man who complemented John Hume, doing the ‘spade-work’ to reach a hard-won deal with the Ulster Unionists.
Now in his eighty-third year, he calls for a new beginning in Northern Ireland, based on the ideal that it is a shared home place for all its people, and that Irish unity can only come about through unionist consent. His surprising and innovative proposal, based on a little-known clause in the Good Friday Agreement, shows how this might be implemented

Genres: Biography

272 pages, Paperback

Published May 17, 2019

Reviews

[David Campton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not just a biography but a political manifesto. Mallon's was a voice I valued in Northern Irish politics, although unusually, I never actually met him. This book paints in the background to a man who was a proud nationalist, indeed Republican, but a fierce advocate of non-violence. In the community I come from he was too often written off because of his, frequently justified criticisms of police and security forces. We may never know if his beliefs re high level collusion were accurate, but to read this shows why he believed what he did. But he was equally vitriolic and courageous in his opposition to the IRA despite the political cost to him at times, and here he clarifies that his description of the GFA as "Sunningdale for slow learners" was not merely a criticism of unionist intransigence but the counterproductive nature of the IRA campaign. He hints at some of the tensions that there were within the SDLP down through the years and especially with John Hume, but he speaks of Hume with respect and generosity, as he also does of Trimble, his partner in the early days of the Assembly. His voice is sadly missed from the dialogue of the deaf that currently makes up political discourse in this part of the world recently, which is why it is somewhat ironic that the last part of the book where he outlines some key principles and caveats for the coming years was more unsatisfying for me. In it he retreated into quoting verbatim large segments of his own and others statements, meaning that it became more like the political jousting he was renowned for in his pomp, rather than allowing us into the real him of his latter years. That said the position that he outlines in those closing chapters is one akin to my own, fearful of what might come with a narrow victory/defeat in any border poll, and the need for vision, patience and generosity... even though there hasn't been too much of that demonstrated in the past. Reading it a second time a year further on in the wake of covid and political upheaval, partly due to Brexit and partly due to the spasmodic dysfunctionality of the NI Executive throughout the pandemic, potentially upsetting the SF/DUP carve up of the political terrain, I long for inheritors of Mallon's generous nationalism to open the door to a more imaginative unionism, and vice versa.

[Jason Blean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is more than a "good read", it is a great read. Admittedly, I am biased as an SDLP member for some years and an admirer of Seamus for longer. In the perverse politics of sectarianism in Northern Ireland, some are lauded as peacemakers who in reality stoke the fires of provocation and show little courage, sustaining rather than overcoming division. This is the story of a true peacemaker. Outlining Seamus' life from birth into a Catholic family in the 90% protestant village of Markethill, Co. Armagh, this book describes the life of a chief architect of the Good Friday Agreement, and co-pilot of the first devolved power-sharing government in Northern Ireland born from it. A highly enjoyable read of a combination of personal anecdotes and stories, often highly amusing, and the often lonely struggle of a political leader committed to purely peaceful democratic politics in a Troubles-torn Ulster where political violence was the norm. There is a disarming honesty to his analysis of the current breakdown in Stormont and thoughtful suggestions for a way forward, sensitively considering the fears of his unionist neighbours. Many have dismissed out-of-context his "parallel consent" suggestion for a border poll on Irish unity instead of the minimum legal requirement of "50% plus 1" which would inevitably lead to further instability. Seamus' ideas on this and other aspects of political progress in Northern Ireland (and the lack thereof) should be read in full context before being judged. This man is an elder statesman, full of experience and wisdom at conflict resolution; on that alone he deserves to be heard. All of Northern Ireland owes him a debt of gratitude for the generosity and courage in leadership he has shown and continues to show. A story well worth reading, coherently, intelligently and articulately put.

[Houdi McCabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this fantastic book in two sittings. Seamus, like David Trimble, was a courageous man and took great risks for his people -both sides of the house. He talks a lot about parallel consent as opposed to 50% plus one majority rule post GF Agreement (which I agree with so I suppose as a reviewer I’m biased) he doesn’t however discuss in any detail the impact of the new ‘Irish’ in the republic 17% are not Irish or nationalists (immigrants) or the increase by 38% in the north of the ‘no religionists’ and what impact they will have on our future referenda, but perhaps that’s for another writer to cover. This is a great life story of a man who stood strong in the worst of times- but he stood for peace and reconciliation, from start to finish. I salute you Seamus Mallon.

[Rosetta Whyte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up in the Border area and ignoring the troubles as best I could. Now at 60 I found Seamus Mallon’s memoir informative interesting thought provoking and entirely readable. I think this book should be suggested for reading and discussion for teenagers in schools in Ireland and the U.K. as it promotes acceptance and inclusion for all. I would recommend it for everyone who thinks they know what it was like or like me avoided knowing.

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

This story is one told by a person who lived through years I also lived through. It is wonderful to find myself agreeing with so much of what he says.. Coming from " the other side" it is sad to reflect on how often it's only when a book like this is written that one learns that. All part of the tragedy that is Ireland.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I’ve read on Northern Ireland.

Absolutely essential reading for everyone with an interest in the future of Northern Ireland. The insights of Mallon on the North need to be digested by all.

[Tadhg · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

A voice of experience, vision & wisdom.
Let's hope it gets heeded.

[Conor Gallagher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful read. The world could use a few more Seamus Mallon’s. Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine.

[Mike Leech · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stand Out


Excellent reminder of the dark days of Northern Ireland. The autobiography of a strong courageous voice for decency just before he died with a critical message in the last chapters that will resonate far into the future, that unification with Republic as Union with UK requires the consent of all sections of the community. The book charts the efforts to build common ground between Unionists and Nationalists beyond their different heritages based on common humanity and concern for Northern Ireland. He shows too how the middle ground is often the hardest place to be; only people of his integrity and humanity that can successfully occupy it while others take the easier path playing to their followings in more or less darker shades of hardline factionalism.

[Gilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a slog - but I'm a better person for having read it. I had to research 3 different philosophers, look words up in the dictionary and keep a note book - but it was worth it. I really learned something - which will stay with me forever. Many thanks to Seamus Mallon (RIP) for creating a book which should be compulsory reading for any civil rights lawyer or negotiator.

[james woodcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Great insight into a courageous and principled politician has great and serious proposals for the future of Ireland North and South.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

A memoir. An historical testament. Straight forward, interesting narrative by a consequential Northern Ireland, Catholic/Republican politician with dreams and a heart, with hopes and aspirations for the people of Northern Ireland…

The narrative leaves you sad for all the innocent deaths of both the Nationalist and the Republicans.

Economically things have reversed. The Catholic Republic is the ‘wealthy’, the Protestants of Northern Ireland, economically have been left behind….

Northern Ireland does not leave you uplifted… it leaves you with ‘the white shame of Europe’.

[Thomas Harte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Then main idea put forward in this excellent book is that of parallel consent. A simple majority in favour of reunification in a border poll would be dangerous given the history of conflict on the island of Ireland. Seamus Mallon is generous in his offer to Unionism. Seamus Mallon has been at the forefront of constitutional nationalism for years and has always been a voice of reason. Let’s listen to him now and not rush into a post Brexit border poll without assessing the implications of this course of action. Seamus Mallon comes across as a decent human being and this is an excellent account of the painful history of Northern Ireland.

[James Mallon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting view of Northern Irish politics from a cousin of mine who spent his life fighting for peace and justice.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant insight into life as a Roman Catholic politician living in a loyalist village. Sheds a lot of light on the wheelings and dealings involved in the peace process.

[Killian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting account of Seamus Mallon's life, with a final section detailing his views on the future of the island of Ireland