Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The Northern Ireland Conflict was a 30-year period of political and sectarian violence primarily between Catholic nationalists demanding Northern Ireland be part of the Irish Republic and Protestant unionists insisting it remain governed as part of the UK. Over 3,500 were killed during “The Troubles”, which lasted from 1968 to 1998. Former Senator George Mitchell was asked to chair the negotiations between the warring factions and did so “mostly by listening,” he has said. These talks successfully ended with an agreement of the parties signed on Good Friday, 1998. Senator Mitchell talks about his time as US Envoy to Northern Ireland, and the skills politicians need today to compromise, find common ground, and restore democracy. Phillip Lader, former ambassador to the UK, then sits down with George Mitchell to discuss in detail his time in Ireland.
The Summer Institute is College of the Atlantic's week-long convening of ideas that welcomes experts from around the world to share their perspectives on the most pressing issues of our time. The Summer Institute is supported by the generosity of COA Champlain Society members. The event is held under a tent on the North Lawn.
The Northern Ireland Conflict was a 30-year period of political and sectarian violence primarily between Catholic nationalists demanding Northern Ireland be part of the Irish Republic and Protestant unionists insisting it remain governed as part of the UK. Over 3,500 were killed during “The Troubles”, which lasted from 1968 to 1998. Former Senator George Mitchell was asked to chair the negotiations between the warring factions and did so “mostly by listening,” he has said. These talks successfully ended with an agreement of the parties signed on Good Friday, 1998. Senator Mitchell talks about his time as US Envoy to Northern Ireland, and the skills politicians need today to compromise, find common ground, and restore democracy. Phillip Lader, former ambassador to the UK, then sits down with George Mitchell to discuss in detail his time in Ireland.
The Summer Institute is College of the Atlantic's week-long convening of ideas that welcomes experts from around the world to share their perspectives on the most pressing issues of our time. The Summer Institute is supported by the generosity of COA Champlain Society members. The event is held under a tent on the North Lawn.
