Historic handshake - Victory for the peace process

Yesterday’s meeting in Belfast was a symbolic moment that closes what was begun with the British Queen’s visit to the Republic last year.

It now seems that the Queen can go anywhere in Ireland. Hopefully, her next visit will be seen as the same of any other head of state visiting this island.

Today happens to be the 90th anniversary of the Provisional Government’s attack on the Four Courts, marking the start of the Civil War. In a sense the events of yesterday should not only be seen as a milestone in the progress of the peace process in Northern Ireland but also as a gesture that finally allows us to confine the Civil War to history.