Launch Speakers

Speakers at the Launch Day

James Houlihan

James is a retired Solicitor from Birr. He practised from his office in Birr for forty-five years, including thirty years as State Solicitor for County Offaly. On retirement, he returned to UCD where he completed an MA and PhD. Adomnán was the subject of his PhD thesis, and, in particular, his Law, focusing on establishing the place of that law in the history of the laws of war. James subsequently adapted his thesis for publication, the outcome being his book, Adomnán’s Lex Innocentium and the Laws of War, which was published in 2020. He later wrote and published The Great Law of Birr which is more accessible to the general public. James has written articles for a number of journals, including the International Review of the Red Cross, and he has given talks on the law to various societies and organizations.

Rob Fairmichael

Rob is coordinator of INNATE, a nonviolence network in Ireland, and a long-time peace activist. He now lives in Belfast – but Birr was his childhood home and he actually went to school for a few years just around the corner – now – from where the Synod took place in 697 AD.

Eamon Rafter

Eamon is an activist and educator for peace and justice. He works with World Beyond War, Swords to Ploughshares and the Global Campaign for Peace Education focusing on arms trade, militarism and nonviolent alternatives. He has also worked extensively on reconciliation projects with schools, universities and communities affected by conflict. Eamon has participated in IIPE (International Institute on Peace Education) on a number of occasions, most recently, this year, in Nepal.

Edward Horgan

Edward is a former United Nations Peacekeeper, a member of the Board of Directors of World Beyond War. He is also a member of Shannonwatch, Veterans for Peace, and Irish Peace and Neutrality Alliance.

Sylvia Thompson

Sylvia lives in Kerry. She is active with a number of environmental groups, secular and faith-based, a Laudato Si´ Animator, Member of the Diocesan Justice and Peace Committee and Pax Christi.

John Maguire

Lex Innocentium, 21st Century – Read by John Maguire

A Letter to the Future Generations – Read by John Maguire

Dr. John Maguire is Professor of Sociology Emeritus, UCC and a Board Member of AfrI. A writer, songwriter and antiwar activist, he is the author of Defending Peace; Ireland’s Role in a Changing Europe (Cork UP 2002) and, with Joe Noonan, Maastricht and Neutrality (People First/Meitheal 1992). John will read Lex Innocentium, 21st Century to us at Redwood Castle.

Marian Pallister

Marian sends us an audio message from Argyll on behalf of Pax Christi, Scotland. It is very special for us to have a connection with Argyll, as the King of Argyll was one of the signatories to the original Lex Innocentium (697 AD) and because Iona is now in the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles. Marian has arranged for a signing of the law to take place in Argyll to coincide with our signing.

Mairéad Maguire

We really do not need to introduce Mairéad Maguire! She is a Nobel Peace Laureate (1977) and tireless campaigner for peace and justice in Ireland and around the world. Mairéad sends us an audio/video greeting.

Adi Roche

Thomas Daffern

Thomas Daffern, a team member of Lex Innocentium, 21st Century, who could not be with us at our launch, prerecorded a video message and also arranged a co-signing in Dorset, England, where he was located on the day.

Musicians

Luka Bloom: Luka Bloom is a well known and loved Irish songwriter and singer. Luka was abroad at the time of the launch. However, he was kind enough to make a recording of his wonderful song I am Not at War with Anyone especially for Lex Innocentium, 21st Century and sent it to us with his best wishes. This is one of our favourite anti-war songs.

Isabelle Ní Mhórdha: Isabelle comes from an accomplished musical family in Kildare, who play both traditional and classical music. Isabelle, now fourteen years old, is learning the harp with the Music Generation Programme in Portlaoise. She is a treasured student of Gaelcholáiste Chill Dara and an all-round rising star.

Cillian Moran: Cillian is a Classical and Traditional Irish Harpist. He has been playing the harp since he was six years old. He has been successful at various competitions including, Feis Ceoil, Fleadh Cheoil and a number of classical competitions. Most of his musical education has been with Ms. Denise Kelly at TUD.

Group from Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann

William Holmes organized this group of musicians for us. In the tradition of Comhaltas, they were prepared to provide music ‘at the drop of a hat’ in whatever conditions prevailed at the time.

William Holmes, Pipes and Fiddle (Roscrea Branch)

Tom Holmes, Fiddle (Roscrea Branch)

Noel Stapleton, Accordion (Craobh Seán Ryan Branch)

Ciarán Campbell, Guitar (Craobh Seán Ryan Branch)