Peace Road in Dublin Traces History of Irish Republic
Dublin, Ireland – To mark the International Day of Peace, on September 20, 2026, UPF-Ireland organized a Peace Road walk to historical sites, following by a luncheon and an afternoon forum. Participants gathered outside Unity House, the headquarters of UPF-Ireland in Dublin, and proceeded to walk to the General Post Office (GPO), the site of the 1916 Proclamation of the Republic.
This act 110 years ago, when Ireland declared its independence from the United Kingdom, represents the founding of the modern Irish nation in terms of its impact and symbolism. It was followed by the six-day armed Rising, which resulted in several hundred dead. Afterwards, the British government executed the seven signatories of the Proclamation, making them martyrs for Irish nationhood and examples of sacrificial patriotism.
A symbolic reading of the Proclamation – with its call to the Irish people to fulfil their sacred duty – raised more than a few eyebrows in the beautiful autumn morning, as tourists, citizens and unsuspecting onlookers enjoyed their lazy Sunday strolls and family time. At the conclusion of the reading, the peace walkers proceeded to another sacred site, the Garden of Remembrance.
The garden – in contrast to the GPO and its association with proclamation, risings and revolution – is a place of reflection and remembrance of the nation’s war dead. It is also the location of the historic meeting between President Mary McAleese of Ireland and the Queen of England, the much-loved Elizabeth II, in 2011. On that day the British head of state set foot on sovereign Republic of Ireland soil for the first time since the Rising in 1916. In the garden, the assembled held an interfaith prayer for peace in Ireland and the world, especially calling for an end to war and suffering.
On returning to Unity House, a sumptuous buffet luncheon was served, prepared by UPF staff. Mr. Sudhansh Verma also provided tasty vegetarian food, including delicious samosas from Mini India. After lunch, participants settled down for the afternoon forum. Mr. Colm Ó Cionnaith, secretary general of UPF-Ireland, serving as MC, introduced the program and the keynote speakers.
First off was Mr. Sylvain Mangoni Kezir, a senior peace ambassador and doctoral candidate in geology at Trinity College. Mr. Kezir called participants to action, challenging them to realize that peacemaking is not reserved for presidents, kings, prime ministers and powerful elites, but that “peace starts with us.”
Mr. Kezir was followed by Mr. Gleann Doherty from Derry, who gave the forum a deeper sense of the historical impact of the founders and the proclamation that birthed a nation. Mr. Doherty said the seven signers knew only too well that their acts on that fateful day in 1916 would lead to their execution, and they would never live to see the impact of their blood sacrifice, which led to freedom and self-determination for subsequent generations of Irishmen and Irishwomen as citizens of the new Republic.
The final keynote speaker, Ms. Kate Lawlor, told the forum about her important work with Gianna Care, which supports women with unplanned pregnancies. Finances should never be a reason for a woman to want to terminate a life, she said, adding that the womb should be the most peaceful and safest place for humanity. During the question session after her talk, Ms. Lawlor explained her organization’s struggle to survive in the face of political opposition and a hostile government, which no longer values life in the womb following the legalization and liberalization of abortion.
All the speakers received enthusiastic applause, as did Mr. Bernard Naughton and the Unity House Youth band, with Mr. Naughton’s version of his original composition “Gaza Armageddon” moving hearts, as his melodic voice tried to convey the heartbreak and agony of the plight of the inhabitants of the Promised Land, all children of Abraham.
In his closing presentation, Mr. Ó Cionnaith gave an overview of the Peace Road in Ireland, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. He also explained some of UPF’s global projects, including the original International Highway conceived by UPF’s founders as a way of breaking down barriers and connecting peoples around the world.
Mr. Tinko Tinev, chairman of UPF-Ireland, made the point that the Abraham Accords may well have come about due to the inspiration provided by UPF and co-founder Rev. Sun Myung Moon’s vision and investment in the Middle East Peace Initiative. The plight of UPF co-founder Dr. Hak Ja Han, with her indictment and detention, was highlighted by Mr. Ó Cionnaith as he appealed to all present to stand up for religious freedom as a precious democratic and human right.
The program concluded with the presentation of Ambassador for Peace Awards, followed by closing prayers. Mr. Ó Cionnaith thanked all the participants for their support of UPF-Ireland over the past 10 years, and wished all a safe journey home.
