Eric Gallagher
Encyclopedia
Rev. Dr Eric Gallagher CBE
, BA, BD (1912–1999) was the former President of the Methodist Church in Ireland.
In 1974 he was one of a group of Protestant clergymen who met with Provisional IRA officers in Feakle, County Clare
in the 1970s to try to broker a peace after achieving a temporary ceasefire. The meeting was broken up by the Gardai but the IRA officers had already left. He spent 22 years as superintendent of the Belfast Central Mission, from 1957 until 1979.
He died on 30 December 1999, aged 87, and was interred at the Lisburn New Cemetery at Blaris, County Down
.
Cahal Daly, with whom Gallagher had jointly chaired a social issues group behind the Violence in Ireland report to the churches stated: "Not many people have been clear and steady beacons of light in the darkness of the last 30 years. Eric Gallagher was one ... [I]t was a privilege to work with him ... he took risks for peace."
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, BA, BD (1912–1999) was the former President of the Methodist Church in Ireland.
In 1974 he was one of a group of Protestant clergymen who met with Provisional IRA officers in Feakle, County Clare
Feakle, County Clare
Feakle is a village in County Clare, Ireland. Its population in 2006 was 122. It neighbours Lough Derg and the towns of Tulla and Scarriff. Feakle is famous for its traditional music festival.-History:...
in the 1970s to try to broker a peace after achieving a temporary ceasefire. The meeting was broken up by the Gardai but the IRA officers had already left. He spent 22 years as superintendent of the Belfast Central Mission, from 1957 until 1979.
He died on 30 December 1999, aged 87, and was interred at the Lisburn New Cemetery at Blaris, County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
.
Legacy
At Rev Gallagher's funeral in January 2000, CardinalCardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
Cahal Daly, with whom Gallagher had jointly chaired a social issues group behind the Violence in Ireland report to the churches stated: "Not many people have been clear and steady beacons of light in the darkness of the last 30 years. Eric Gallagher was one ... [I]t was a privilege to work with him ... he took risks for peace."