Audio interview with journalists Suzanne Breen and Deaglán de Bréadún by Diarmaid Ferriter for the RTE Radio 1 show What If, broadcast on 17 December 2006. Breen and de Bréadún chart the political and religious life of Ian Paisley and assess his contribution to conflict, peace and political stability in Northern Ireland from the 1950s until 2006. Paisley would become First Minister of Northern Ireland in May 2007. The interview was part of the What If radio series which examined historical events and processes from a counter factual standpoint.
Date of Release/Broadcast: 17 December 2006
Name of First Interviewee: Suzanne Breen
Name of Second Interviewee: Deaglán de Bréadún
Role at time of Interview: Suzanne Breen (Journalist), Deaglán de Bréadún (Journalist)
Interviewer: Diarmaid Ferriter
Purpose: Research, Academic
Media: Audio
Copyright: © RTÉ 2012
Link: Listen to the interview
Programme/Book/Article: RTE Radio 1 What If
Time Period covered: 1950-2006
Key Individuals: Suzanne Breen, Deaglán de Bréadún, Ian Paisley, Pope John Paul II, David Ervine, Jim Allister, David Trimble, Peter Robinson
Key Words: Politicisation, religion, DUP, unionism, newspapers, youth, voting, violence, UUP, Belfast Agreement, Good Friday Agreement, Sinn Féin, democracy, tactics, legacy