Documentary on One: A Matter of International Secrecy
Image Name: drogheda express
Broadcast Details: Saturday 10th October, 2.00pm
In the summer of 1979 Ireland was consumed with industrial strikes; frisbees and roller-discos; escalating violence in Northern Ireland and - of course - preparations for a very special visitor to the country - Pope John Paul II.
A Matter of International Secrecy
In the summer of 1979 Ireland was consumed with industrial strikes; frisbees and roller-discos; escalating violence in Northern Ireland and – of course – preparations for a very special visitor to the country – Pope John Paul II.
The Pope would visit the Phoenix Park, Knock, Galway, Limerick and the Diocese of Armagh.
Farmer Terry Grant in Drogheda had other things on his mind. The poisonous weed ragwort had attacked his field and he needed to get rid of it fast and at great expense.
Over the border, the clergy fretted about the safety of bringing the Pope to Northern Ireland. Margaret Thatcher was not enthusiastic about the prospect of a visit to the north. Then at the end of August the deadliest attack on the British Army of the Troubles – 18 British soldiers were blown up in two booby-trap explosions near Warrenpoint, close to the border. Hours later Lord Louis Mountbatten was killed while fishing at Mullaghmore in County Sligo.
It was felt it was too risky to let the Pope visit the north. A new venue would need to be found – and quick.
As the clergy drove around the Diocese, south of the border, one particular field caught their eyes. Cleared of the yellow ragwort, Terry Grant’s field was looking pristine and Terry got a knock on the door from Bishop Lennon who wanted to talk to him ‘on a matter of international secrecy’.
RTÉ Radio 1, Saturday 10 October, 2pm |
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