Seamus Mallon was a truly historic figure. He spent his entire career, indeed his entire life, working for peaceful, democratic and inclusive answers to Northern Ireland’s political problems. He advocated for justice and equality, often in the face of threats, intimidation and vilification, displaying remarkable courage. He will be remembered as one of the architects of the Good Friday Agreement, a man who worked tirelessly for decades to try to bring about peace, and then reconciliation, on the island of Ireland.