Sense of optimism for first child born after deal signed

THE first baby born after the Good Friday Agreement has spent her school years involved in cross-community projects.

Erin McArdle celebrates her 10th birthday on April 10 with a renewed sense of optimism after a decade that has seen political power-sharing restored and the Northern Ireland economy revitalised.

The child, from Cargan, Ballymena, Co Antrim, was born at Antrim Area Hospital less than an hour after the agreement was signed.