Diplomats and dignitaries gathered at the Irish ambassador’s residence Thursday to honour a Canadian leader who helped end decades of bloody conflict in Northern Ireland — or, as the Irish euphemistically call it, the Troubles.

Retired general John de Chastelain, joined by his wife Mary Ann, was the guest of honour at the gathering. It was hosted by Ambassador John Concannon, who paid tribute to one of his heroes on the 30th anniversary of his “immense contribution” to the Good Friday Agreement.

The ambassador praised de Chastelain for his “unwavering integrity, tireless work ethic and deep commitment to public service.” The 87-year-old retired general not only served twice as Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff, but also held the post of ambassador to the United States.

“His calm demeanor and moral clarity have earned him trust on the international stage, making him a true embodiment of service and honour,” Concannon told the room.

Retired Canadian general and former ambassador John de Chastelain and his wife, Mary Ann de Chastelain, at a luncheon held at the official residence of the Irish ambassador on Thursday, July 10, 2025, to mark the 30th anniversary of de Chastelain’s contribution to the Good Friday Agreement. Photo by Caroline Phillips

In 1995, de Chastelain was recruited, based on his skills and expertise, to help advance the peace process in Northern Ireland. He would go on to oversee the disarmament of paramilitary groups — including the IRA and loyalist factions — through his role as chair of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning. What was supposed to be a 60-day contract turned into 15 years of work.

There were time when he was blindfolded and transported in darkened vehicles to undisclosed locations. But for de Chastelain — a soldier with 40 years of experience — working in dangerous conditions was nothing new. While he admitted to being “pushed about a bit,” he noted that he was “never physically abused.”

De Chastelain spoke as part of a panel discussion on Canada’s role in the peace process, moderated by David Walmsley. Not only is Walmsley the editor-in-chief of the Globe & Mail — arguably the most influential newspaper in Canada – but the Northern Irishman began his journalism career in Belfast in the early 1990s. He’s lived in Canada for 27 years now.

Fellow panelists included Sonja Hyland, deputy secretary general from Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Ontario Court of Appeal Justice Renee Pomerance, a former Crown prosecutor. The judge previously served as counsel to retired Supreme Court of Canada Justice Peter Cory on The Collusion Inquiry into deaths relating to the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

Pomerance, who described Cory as an “extraordinary man” and “one of Canada’s finest jurists”, said she learned a great deal from her former mentor and teacher. “When I’m faced with a very difficult question — legal or practical — I always ask myself, ‘What would Peter Cory do?’”

Cory passed away five years ago, at the age of 94. Prior to his legal career, he’d been a pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War.

From left, newspaper editor and moderator David Walmsley, retired general John de Chastelain, Ontario Court of Appeal Justice Renee Pomerance and Sonja Hyland, deputy secretary general from Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, participated in a panel discussion. Photo by Caroline Phillips

While former American senator George Mitchell couldn’t attend, he reflected via a prepared video on the role he played with John de Chastelain and Harri Holkeri, a former prime minister of Finland, as key international figures who helped facilitate and implement the Northern Ireland peace process — work that culminated in the Good Friday Agreement of April 1998 and continued through efforts to build trust and oversee paramilitary disarmament.

“It was one of the most difficult and intense tasks I have ever been involved in and, although this may be hard to believe, not once was there any significant difference or disagreement among the three of us,” said Mitchell.

“Both of my colleagues – Harri and John – were men of judgment and skill, honed by lifetimes of leadership in important positions in their countries.”

The main negotiations lasted for nearly two years. “We had 700 days of failure and one day of success,” quipped Mitchell.

From left, newspaper editor and moderator David Walmsley, retired general John de Chastelain, Ontario Court of Appeal Justice Renee Pomerance and Sonja Hyland, deputy secretary general from Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, participated in a panel discussion. Photo by Caroline Phillips

When asked by Walmsley about his advice to youth in Northern Ireland, de Chastelain said he would encourage them to learn from history. Taking up arms, he pointed out, did not advance the interests of either side, nor did it lead to a lasting solution.

“Think of what it means to live in an unarmed society, to move freely, north and south, across the border without having to go through searches for weapons and things like that,” said de Chastelain.

Such a situation didn’t exist 20 years ago, he pointed out. Change only came about “as a result of the work of a large number of people from many backgrounds, working to make sure that [such violence] doesn’t happen and is not allowed to happen again.”

Young people are “enormously lucky” to live in today’s environment, he added, and must “never allow anyone” to influence them in such a way that the Troubles start again.

The ambassador gifted de Chastelain with a framed photo of one of Ireland’s most treasured landmarks, the Giant’s Causeway, located in Northern Ireland. It’s accompanied by a plaque honouring his contributions.

Retired Canadian general and former ambassador John de Chastelain and his wife, Mary Ann de Chastelain, at a luncheon held at the official residence of the Irish ambassador on Thursday, July 10, 2025, to mark the 30th anniversary of de Chastelain’s contribution to the Good Friday Agreement. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, former Liberal cabinet minister David Collenette, independent board director Penny Collenette, and their son, Dublin-based executive and corporate director Chris Collenette, at a luncheon held at the official residence of the Irish ambassador on Thursday, July 10, 2025, to mark the 30th anniversary of retired general John de Chastelain’s contribution to the Good Friday Agreement. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Members of Ottawa’s Irish community seen mingling during a luncheon hosted by the Irish ambassador to mark the 30th anniversary of retired Canadian general John de Chastelain’s contribution to the Good Friday Agreement. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Dr Rulan Parekh, vice president at Women’s College Hospital, and her husband, Dr. Kieran Murphy, a leading interventional neuroradiologist, were up from Toronto to attend a luncheon held at the Irish ambassador’s residence to discuss Canada’s role in Ireland’s peace process and to honour retired general John de Chastelain. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Connell Monette, director of global partnerships at the University of Ottawa, in conversation with Ottawa lawyer Mélanie Vadeboncoeur at a gathering held at the official residence of the Irish ambassador on Thursday, July 10, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Irish Ambassador John Concannon listening from the audience during a panel discussion held at his official residence to discuss Canada’s role in Ireland’s peace process. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Phil Kelly, chief technology officer at PULSHN, and Liberal MP James Maloney (Etobicoke—Lakeshore) at a luncheon held at the official residence of the Irish ambassador on Thursday, July 10, 2025, to mark the 30th anniversary of retired general John de Chastelain’s contribution to the Good Friday Agreement. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Irish Ambassador John Concannon delivered closing remarks following a panel discussion with Globe & Mail editor and moderator David Walmsley, retired general John de Chastelain, Ontario Court of Appeal Justice Renee Pomerance and Sonja Hyland, deputy secretary general from Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Deputy British High Commissioner Dave Prodger and South African High Commissioner Rieaz Shaik at a luncheon held at the official residence of the Irish ambassador on Thursday, July 10, 2025, to mark the 30th anniversary of John de Chastelain’s contribution to the Good Friday Agreement. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Rwandan High Commissioner Prosper Higiro, Moroccan Ambassador Souriya Otmani  and Portuguese Ambassador Antonio Rocha at a luncheon held at the official residence of the Irish ambassador on Thursday, July 10, 2025, to mark the 30th anniversary of de Chastelain’s contribution to the Good Friday Agreement. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Kerry Mortimer (Mortimer Marketing Group), Rosemary O’Brien, visiting Irish folk singer Daoirí Farrell, Patrick McDonald (St. Brigid’s Centre for the Arts) and Austin Comerton (Irish Radio Canada) at a luncheon held at the official residence of the Irish ambassador on Thursday, July 10, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Lynn McDonald (Global Affairs Canada) in conversation with Jack Hughes, senior vice president of planning and operations with the Business Council of Canada, at a special luncheon hosted by the Irish ambassador to recognize the contribution of retired general John de Chastelain’s to the Northern Ireland peace process. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Irish Ambassador John Concannon presented retired general John de Chastelain with a framed photo of the Giant’s Causeway, located on the north coast of Northern Ireland, accompanied by a plaque recognizing his contribution to the peace process in Northern Ireland. Photo by Caroline Phillips

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