*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.