RTÉ Radio 1
Documentary on One: A Matter of International Secrecy
The story of how one family hosted 300,000 people at their home during the Pope’s visit to Drogheda
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 of the Troubles on the British Army happened; 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’.
TX: Saturday 10th October 2015, 2pm
Listen online now:
http://www.rte.ie/radio1/doconone/2015/1002/731911-a-matter-of-international-secrecy/
Produced by Nicoline Greer
ENDS
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