When Chloe Met George

A special dinner was arranged at Hillsborough Castle to welcome Senator George Mitchell back to Northern Ireland ahead of his 'Passing the Torch' speech. Chloe Martin was asked to raise a toast to him, and we thought it should be shared here.

"Good evening everyone, and thank you so much for being here tonight. It’s such a pleasure—and a real honour—to be part of this event, surrounded by people who care deeply about the future of Northern Ireland.

A particularly warm welcome to Senator George Mitchell. Senator, your role in helping to bring peace to Northern Ireland can’t be overstated. Because of the foundations you helped lay, my generation has had the chance to grow up in a society shaped more by possibility than by conflict. That legacy of peace is something we don’t take for granted. That foundation has shaped not just our past, but our present.

If you had told me 3 years ago that I would be standing here today, in front of all these important people making a toast, I probably would have laughed in your face. I was always quiet and shy in school. I never spoke up or made my opinion known. Politics in Action changed that for me. Through working in many of their projects, I grew more confident as each month passed, and here I am. And as I’m sure Paul here can vouch for, it’s difficult to stop me from speaking now.

Because I came to realise that young people aren’t just the future—we are the present. We’re living in this society now. We’re working, learning, creating, and leading in it. And as Northern Ireland continues its journey of peace and reconciliation, it’s vital that we’re not just included, but actively engaged. Politics affects every part of our lives—and it’s up to us to help shape it, together.

I still remember going to the Agreement 25 event at Queen’s in 2023. I sat in the audience, completely in awe of what was happening—of the conversation, the energy, the legacy being carried forward. I walked out of that event and thought, This is where I need to be. I went home, told my mother that Queen’s was the only University I was applying to—which, as you can imagine, stressed her out quite a bit. But I stuck with it. And now I’m here.

When I told my nana I was moving to Belfast, she was worried. Growing up, she often told me stories from the Troubles, and her memories of this place are heavy ones. But moments like this—nights like tonight—show that things really have changed. They show that we’re moving forward, together.

That’s why tomorrow’s Passing the Torch event is so important. It’s a chance to reflect, to be inspired, and to step forward—with the guidance of a statesman like Senator Mitchell, whose leadership continues to light the way. Queen’s was lucky to have you as Chancellor, and we’re lucky to continue having a close working relationship with you.

So please, raise a glass—with  in recognition of the work of the past, a commitment to the present, and hope for what we can build together.

To Senator Mitchell, and to the power of partnership."

In response, Senator Mitchell told Chloe that if she is representative of a new generation of young people here then the future is in great hands.

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