BBCThe world – and Northern Ireland- was a very different place when Sinn Féin‘s Martin McGuinness and Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Bertie Ahern placed letters inside a time capsule to mark the 50th anniversary of the Creggan estate.
No internet, no smart phones and no peace, given the wooden box, held at Creggan Library, was padlocked shut on 23 January 1998 in Londonderry – less than three months before the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.
Now, the time capsule has been opened as part of this year’s Derry Féile, giving an insight into the ongoing peace process in which both men played major roles.
In his letter, McGuinness, then Sinn Féin’s chief negotiator in peace talks, wrote of his hopes for “peace for all the children of this island”.
In the letter dated 24 December 1997, McGuiness wrote that the early months of 1998 would be a “crucial period in Ireland’s history”, adding the “task ahead is an awesome one”.
On 10 April 1998, the Good Friday Agreement was signed.
The deal brought an end to 30 years of conflict in Northern Ireland, known as the Troubles.
Ahern became taoiseach (Irish prime minister) in June 1997.
His letter to the people of Creggan also ponders the political climate of the time.
“As I write this, Northern Ireland is at a cross-roads as we try to forge a peaceful future based on equality and respect,” he wrote.
Snapshot of community life
Alongside artefacts from prominent politicians, the capsule provided local people with a way of capturing a snapshot of their community as it celebrated the anniversary.
Countless sealed letters written by local school children and by people from Creggan, magazine clippings, maps, and school projects were also revealed.
The capsule also contained newspapers from the time, including the Derry Journal and Irish News, videos of Creggan, and a recording of BBC Radio Foyle’s Michael Bradley presenting a special programme to mark Creggan’s milestone.
It was opened on Friday at Creggan Library, its home for the last 25 years.
Inside was also a letter written by Creggan resident Philomena McLaughlin.
She worked with Creggan Parents and Toddlers and the local women’s group. The letter, she told BBC News NI, was a late addition to the capsule, written and placed inside on the day the box was sealed shut.
On Friday, she read again the words she penned a quarter of a century ago.
In her letter she wrote of her pride in her community, her hopes and aspirations for her three children.
She told BBC News NI it was “strange and emotional” to read her 1998 letter again.
“We are in a better place now than what we were. It is not perfect but it is better, housing and employment are still issues, but we are no different here than anywhere else.
“But our children are a lot safer on the streets. Creggan is only on the up as far as I can see,” she said.
The library’s manager Glen Foley said it has been “a real privilege for Creggan Library to look after this community time capsule for more than 25 years”.
“There was great interest in the opening, and it was fascinating to finally uncover the items inside and take a moment to reflect on what life was like then – and how much has changed,” he said.
He added:”The contents will be on display in Creggan Library until 29 August, when we’ll be adding a new chapter to the capsule as part of our Big Summer Read finale event, before resealing it until 2050.”
