Northern Ireland must continue to walk the road of compromise and courage

We should take lessons from the Good Friday Agreement and not underestimate how difficult and challenging political and constitutional change can be, writes Mary C Murphy

Lanark Way interface gates which allow traffic to move between the republican and loyalist areas of Belfast during limited times of the day was painted ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

The signing of the Good Friday Agreement 25 years ago today was met with hope and optimism in Northern Ireland which bore the deep physical and psychological scars of decades of conflict. 

Although that sense of hope and optimism may have dimmed over the years, we should always remain attentive to why the agreement was needed.