Anne Walker

*Warning you may find some details in this story triggering and distressing*

Anne Walker is a peace facilitator and a participant in the powerful Theatre of Witness programme in Derry’s Playhouse Theatre.  Through this transformative project, she was able to put words to a childhood shaped by her own family’s tragedy on Bloody Sunday, as well as her experience of being in the IRA as a young woman.

Anne has gone on to bravely share her story around the world and lead others in difficult peace dialogues.  She has also helped develop a peace programme being used in a number of refugee camps across the world.

In this conversation Anne opens up about a childhood shaped by conflict (as well as a love of David Bowie) what it was like to be in the IRA as a schoolgirl & how telling her story has brought her freedom. 

*Show Notes*

/Bloody Sunday - 30th January 1972.  13 people were shot dead by British soldiers during a civil rights' march in Derry.  Another man died 4 months later from his injuries.   In 2010 Prime Minister David Cameron apologised on behalf of the British Government, describing what happened that day as "both unjustified and unjustifiable".

/Theatre of Witness - is a form of testimonial performance, developed by founder Teya Sepinuck, that aims to give voice to those whose voices are rarely heard.  Stories are performed on stage by the people themselves, as they put words to suffering and experience.  Workshops are run from Derry's Playhouse Theatre.


/Glencree - a centre for conflict resolution in Co Wicklow, that specialises in inclusive dialogue, mediation, negotiation and peace education.

/Patsy Gillespie - The father of 3 and husband of Kathleen, was killed in an IRA bomb he was forced to drive to an army checkpoint at Coshquin in October 1990.  Five soldiers were also killed in the blast.

Transcript

Jude: You're listening to Peace by Piece, I’m Jude Hill, and this is a space for us all to get curious together about those who are pushing on against all the odds to build peace. What sparks them? What keeps them going? What have they personally lost along the way? But what have they salvaged and discovered? What's working and not working when it comes to reconciliation? And are we ready yet to put words to some of our most difficult stories? In each episode we get to hear from someone who is actively pursuing peace. We listen in as they share honestly about complex journeys, and we'll try to reflect piece by piece, story by story, on how peace is really doing.

Today’s conversation is with Anne Walker … 

Anne is a peace facilitator linked to the Playhouse in Derry & part of their Theatre of Witness programme - It’s a form of performance that gives voice to those whose stories are often not heard. Anne grew up in the Bogside during the Troubles and was recruited by the IRA when she was still at school. In this conversation - she offers us a rarely heard perspective about what it was like to be a young woman in the IRA. She shares candidly about the qualms and questions that led her to exit when she was in her early 20s. 

For those listening who aren’t as familiar with events during the Troubles - show notes are available to give context to some of the references in here - 

Also to flag up - Anne talks about a deep friendship with Kathleen Gillespie, whose husband Patsy was murdered by the IRA. & you can hear more of Kathleen’s story in a podcast that’s been released alongside this one. So this chat lasts for around 40 minutes &  just to warn you there are difficult topics covered here including sexual abuse. Although there are plenty of insights and lighter moments too. Thank you for choosing to listen in to Peace by Piece …. Here’s my conversation with Anne Walker ( well after a wee bit of kerfuffle over headphones - which she had to swipe from her son Asa to make this podcast possible)