Following the installation of a bronze bust of John Hume in Leinster House earlier this year, the Ceann Comhairle has unveiled a bust of the late Lord David Trimble in Leinster House.
The artworks serve to commemorate the Nobel Peace Prize awarded jointly to Lord Trimble and Mr. Hume for the roles they played in negotiating the Good Friday Agreement to bring lasting peace to Northern Ireland.
Close-up of the bust of Lord David Trimble at Leinster House
The bust of John Hume was installed in March this year, coinciding with the anniversary of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement; the unveiling of the bust of Lord Trimble, by sculptor John Sherlock, aligns with the anniversary of the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize in December 1998 to both Hume and Trimble.
Lady Daphne Trimble beside the bust of her late husband at Leinster House
Speaking at the event, the Ceann Comhairle stated:
This bust will be an important part of David Trimble’s legacy and it will be here in Leinster House as a constant reminder of his commitment to peace. We are honouring a great Ulsterman, a courageous politician, and a dedicated peace-maker. Earlier this year, we unveiled a bust of the late John Hume, another courageous politician and dedicated peace-maker. Our dual commemoration represents that extraordinarily special occasion 25 years ago when the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded jointly to David Trimble and John Hume for their efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in Northern Ireland.
Attendees at the event unveiling a bust of Lord David Trimble
Among those gathered at the unveiling event were the late Lord Trimble’s wife, Lady Daphne, their daughter Vicky, son Nicholas and his wife Sarah, members of the Hume and Sherlock families, representatives of the unionist community in Northern Ireland and serving and former Members of the Dáil and Seanad.
- Check out our gallery of photos from the unveiling event
- Read about the unveiling of the bust of John Hume at Leinster House earlier in the year