Abstract
In Northern Ireland, until the 1990’s, the women from both protestant and catholic areas
contained the war, and limited its effects, mainly in so far as it affected themselves, their
own families, and their own communities. By and large they were not directly involved
in the politics of stopping the war until, following the ceasefires of 1994, they became
actively engaged in politics. Using their extensive community connections and
credibility, and their position as a cross community political party they helped to
mediate and broker the Belfast 1998 agreement that was to herald the beginning of an
agreed peace in Northern Ireland.