{"id":27292,"date":"2022-11-22T09:35:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-22T14:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=27292"},"modified":"2022-11-28T09:37:35","modified_gmt":"2022-11-28T14:37:35","slug":"irelands-historian-and-inspiring-peacebuilder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=27292","title":{"rendered":"Ireland\u2019s Historian And Inspiring Peacebuilder"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Dr Eamon Phoenix with Peter Kelly at President Barack Obama visit to Belfast, Summer 2013<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

PETER KELLY considers the broadcaster\u2019s impact and influence, in a close friendship spanning 25 years.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Northern Ireland needed \u00c9amon Phoenix. He epitomized the best of personal and professional qualities, and provided an enduring example of reconciliation. Sincerity and generosity; integrity with a deep and genuine curiosity about people were all among his trademarks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With his famously lyrical speaking voice, whispering wisdom to ever-increasing and varied audiences, he carried an immediate authority for all things historical and political. Together with an important respect and weighing of all viewpoints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00c9amon lived reconciliation and the promotion of both historical and modern mutual understanding for the greater good. He was indeed the epitome of his academic job title – Director of Lifelong Learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In our broken era of misinformation, disinformation and brazen falsehood, he was the trusted sage for so many, up and down the hierarchy of society. The \u2018Go-To\u2019 for insight and knowledge. The reliable relief. And all encased within a personality that was immediately charming and authentic, courteous and courageous, ironic and comical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That such effusive tributes have emanated from right across the spectrum – from republican to loyalist, pupil to professor, grassroots to Taoiseach, is a measure of the man\u2019s impact and influence. It\u2019s no wonder that Ireland\u2019s President was represented at his final send-off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00c9amon Phoenix\u2019s expertise wasn\u2019t merely concerned or attributed with the past. I recall arriving at the President Obama event in Belfast\u2019s Waterfront Hall press-pass in hand some summers ago. I wondered about the modern relevance of a US presidential visit to Northern Ireland from such a non-engaged figure as Barack Obama, hardly known for his interest, never mind expertise in conflict resolution endeavors in the land of his shoemaker forebears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What could be dismissed as a mere symbolic presidential visit was quickly corrected by the appearance of Dr Phoenix and his erudite analysis to the contrary. Not for the first or last time, he provided immediate data points and compelling perspectives on occasions that gave them extra and eye-opening dimensions. In short: if \u00c9amon Phoenix was present at an occasion, you knew it had historical gravitas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He brought people and personalities to life, blew cobwebs off historical Irish events and figures, and made them extra compelling. From Carson to Craig, from Connolly to Collins. One description of his vast knowledge coined the term \u2018oceanic repository\u2019, but \u00c9amon benefited from a clear photographic memory of people and places, their significance and consequence. He used this skill to charm and inspire those whom he met, often cross-referencing former encounters and people together for extra and charming effect. He leaves a legacy in this decade of centenaries of encouraging an agreed Ireland based on embrace of complex history rather than re-toxifying the past. A true reconciliatory example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr \u00c9amon Phoenix wasn’t just respected and admired. He was universally beloved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

May he rest in peace. Ar dheis D\u00e9 go raibh a anam. <\/p>\n

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