Ciaran McKeown
Encyclopedia
Ciaran McKeown is a former peace activist
in Northern Ireland
.
Born in Derry
to a Roman Catholic family, McKeown served as a Dominican
novice
for eight months in his youth. He then attended Queen's University Belfast, where he studied philosophy, becoming the first Catholic to be elected president of the university's student council. He was also elected chair of the National Democrats, a ginger group linked with the National Democratic Party. He became president of the Union of Students in Ireland
in 1969, based in Dublin, and stood in Dublin South West
at the Irish general election, 1969
, taking last place, with only 154 votes.
In 1970, McKeown became a reporter for The Irish Times
, then later worked for The Irish Press
, as their Belfast correspondent. Given his experience of reporting on the emergence of The Troubles
, he supported the 1975 creation of "Women for Peace", a Northern Ireland-based movement, by Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan
. When his involvement became more widely known, the movement changed its name to "Community of Peace People," or simply "Peace People".
Although McKeown became known as a thoughtful and calm presence in the leadership of the organisation, his criticisms of the reluctance of church authorities to speak out on sectarian issues did cause tensions. Corrigan and Williams won the 1976 Nobel Peace Prize
, but McKeown was not made a party to it. However, the Ford Foundation
made a grant to the group, which included a salary for McKeown, enabling him to become full-time editor of Peace by Peace, the group's newspaper, also completing a year as editor of Fortnight Magazine
, in 1977.
McKeown, Corrigan and Williams all stepped down from the leadership posts in 1978, although McKeown continued to edit Peace by Peace. His articles brought him into conflict with the group's new leadership, while financial disagreements massively reduced the group's membership. Ultimately, his belief that the group should call for special status for paramilitary prisoners led to a split, with Williams and her leading supporter, Peter McLachlan, resigning in February 1980. McKeown could no longer survive on the group's salary, nor could he find work as a journalist, so he retrained as a typesetter. He published his autobiography, The Passion of Peace, in 1984; this was almost immediately withdrawn following a claim that it libelled a journalist, although it was later reissued with an additional note.
Peace activist
This list of peace activists includes people who proactively advocate diplomatic, non-military resolution of political disputes, usually through nonviolent means.A peace activist is an activist of the peace movement.*Jane Addams*Martti Ahtisaari...
in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
.
Born in Derry
Derry
Derry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
to a Roman Catholic family, McKeown served as a Dominican
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
novice
Novice
A novice is a person or creature who is new to a field or activity. The term is most commonly applied in religion and sports.-Buddhism:In many Buddhist orders, a man or woman who intends to take ordination must first become a novice, adopting part of the monastic code indicated in the vinaya and...
for eight months in his youth. He then attended Queen's University Belfast, where he studied philosophy, becoming the first Catholic to be elected president of the university's student council. He was also elected chair of the National Democrats, a ginger group linked with the National Democratic Party. He became president of the Union of Students in Ireland
Union of Students in Ireland
The Union of Students in Ireland is the national representative body for third-level students' unions in Ireland. The Union of Students in Ireland is the sole national representative body for students in Ireland but does not represent students from two of the seven Irish Universities, namely...
in 1969, based in Dublin, and stood in Dublin South West
Dublin South West (Dáil Éireann constituency)
Dublin South–West is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 4 deputies...
at the Irish general election, 1969
Irish general election, 1969
The Irish general election of 1969 was held on 18 June 1969. The newly elected members of the 19th Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 2 July when the new Taoiseach and government were appointed...
, taking last place, with only 154 votes.
In 1970, McKeown became a reporter for The Irish Times
The Irish Times
The Irish Times is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Kevin O'Sullivan who succeeded Geraldine Kennedy in 2011; the deputy editor is Paul O'Neill. The Irish Times is considered to be Ireland's newspaper of record, and is published every day except Sundays...
, then later worked for The Irish Press
The Irish Press
The Irish Press was an Irish national daily newspaper published by Irish Press plc between 5 September 1931 and 25 May 1995.-Foundation:...
, as their Belfast correspondent. Given his experience of reporting on the emergence of The Troubles
The Troubles
The Troubles was a period of ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland which spilled over at various times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast...
, he supported the 1975 creation of "Women for Peace", a Northern Ireland-based movement, by Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan
Mairead Corrigan
Mairead Maguire , also known as Mairead Corrigan Maguire and formerly as Mairéad Corrigan, is a Northern Irish peace activist. She co-founded, with Betty Williams and Ciaran McKeown, the Community of Peace People, an organisation dedicated to encouraging a peaceful resolution of the Troubles in...
. When his involvement became more widely known, the movement changed its name to "Community of Peace People," or simply "Peace People".
Although McKeown became known as a thoughtful and calm presence in the leadership of the organisation, his criticisms of the reluctance of church authorities to speak out on sectarian issues did cause tensions. Corrigan and Williams won the 1976 Nobel Peace Prize
Nobel Peace Prize
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel.-Background:According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize shall be awarded to the person who...
, but McKeown was not made a party to it. However, the Ford Foundation
Ford Foundation
The Ford Foundation is a private foundation incorporated in Michigan and based in New York City created to fund programs that were chartered in 1936 by Edsel Ford and Henry Ford....
made a grant to the group, which included a salary for McKeown, enabling him to become full-time editor of Peace by Peace, the group's newspaper, also completing a year as editor of Fortnight Magazine
Fortnight Magazine
Fortnight is a monthly political and cultural magazine published in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The magazine was founded in 1970 and aims to provide analysis and criticism of politics, culture, and the arts from those from both inside and outside the local mainstream. Fortnight is read by and...
, in 1977.
McKeown, Corrigan and Williams all stepped down from the leadership posts in 1978, although McKeown continued to edit Peace by Peace. His articles brought him into conflict with the group's new leadership, while financial disagreements massively reduced the group's membership. Ultimately, his belief that the group should call for special status for paramilitary prisoners led to a split, with Williams and her leading supporter, Peter McLachlan, resigning in February 1980. McKeown could no longer survive on the group's salary, nor could he find work as a journalist, so he retrained as a typesetter. He published his autobiography, The Passion of Peace, in 1984; this was almost immediately withdrawn following a claim that it libelled a journalist, although it was later reissued with an additional note.