Peace Road Walk & Forum GPO 2026 – “110 years after the Rising – is our neutral Republic a force for peace in the world?”
Marking the International Day of Peace (a day early!), participants gathered outside UPF Ireland HQ, Unity House, Dublin at 11:15 on 20 september 2026 and proceeded to walk to the GPO (General Post Office) - the site of the 1916 Proclamation of the Republic. This was an act 110 years ago which is considered to be the founding one of the modern Irish nation in terms of its impact and symbolism. Not least when one considers that afterwards when the seven signatories of the Proclamation were executed for their “treachery” to the British Empire. In doing so of course, these founders become martyrs for Irish nationhood and set an example of sacrificial patriotism which transcended sectarianism and politics.
A symbolic reading of the Proclamation raised more than a few eyebrows as 110 years later as “call for Volunteers” was again made in the beautiful autumn Dublin morning … as tourists, citizens and other unsuspecting onlookers enjoyed their lazy Sunday strolls and family time! … whereupon 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 on our war dead and was also the location of the historic meeting between the President of Ireland, Her Excellency Mary McAleese 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 foundation of the state and the Rising itself in 1916. While 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, divinely refreshing and tasty buffet lunch was meticulously prepared by Jinju for all to tuck into after the morning’s exertions! … Mr. Sudhansh Verma also provided tasty vegetarian food from Mini India with the usual samosas to “die for”! Once sufficiently recovered from lunch, participants then settled down to hear the afternoon Forum proceedings, where emcee Colm Ó Cionnaith introduced the keynotes and the afternoon program.
First off was Mr. Sylvain Mangoni Kezir, a senior Peace Ambassador and doctoral candidate in Geology at Trinity College. Mr. Kezir called the Forum to action and challenged all present to understand and realise that peace is not something floating in the ether or something reserved for presidents, kings, prime ministers and the powerful elites, but that “peace starts with US”. Sylvain was followed by Mr. Gleann Doherty from Derry, who was able to give the forum a deeper sense historical impact of the founders and the proclamation that birthed a nation. Gleann made the point that they knew only too well that their acts on that fateful day in 1916 would lead to their execution and that they never live to see the impact that their blood sacrifice would have in granting subsequent generations the freedom for self-determination and for Irishmen and Irishwomen to achieve their own destiny as citizens of the new Republic.
Gleann was followed by the final keynotes speaker, Ms. Kate Lawlor who told the Forum about the important work that she is doing with Gianna Care, in support women with difficult decisions to make around their pregnancies and how economics should never be a reason for a woman to want to terminate a life and how it was incumbent upon us as citizens to create an environment of peace - where the womb should be the most peaceful and safest place for humanity.
All the speakers received a rapturous round of applause as did Bernard Naughton and Unity House Youth band, with Bernard’s version of his own 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.
The panel fielded questions from Bernard and Sylvian with Kate explaining the momentous task that her charity Gianna Care has in trying to survive so much political opposition from all sides in the face of a hostile government which no longer values life in the womb following the legalisation and liberalisation of abortion.
In his closing presentation, emcee Colm Ó Cionnaith gave an overview of the Peace Road in Ireland, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Colm touched on past projects of UPF such as the original peace road concept: from the engineering challenges and the investment needed, bemoaning how powerful countries seemed more minded to waste precious funds and lives on wars rather than in building bridges, to the past Middle East Peace Initiative projects carried out by UPF’s precursor the IIFWP over 20 years ago in Israel Palestine.
Mr. Tinko Tinev, UPF Ireland Chairman made the point that the Abraham Accords may well owe their existence to the inspiration provided by UPF and our co-founder Father Moon’s MEPI vision and investment. The plight of UPF co-founder Mother Moon and her detention and imprisonment was highlighted by Colm as he appealed to all present to stand up for religious freedom and show solidarity in upholding this precious democratic and republican “right”.
After presentations of Ambassador for Peace Awards, Sudhansh Verma and Marisa Goldstone, offered closing prayers and emcee Colm thank all the participants for the support of UPF Ireland over the previous 10 years and wished all a safe journey home.