Ted howell, Key Figure in the Northern Ireland Peace Process, Dies at 78
Ted Howell, a pivotal figure in sinn Féin’s rise and a key architect of the Northern Ireland peace process, has died at the age of 78. The West Belfast man was one of Gerry Adams‘ closest advisors and a senior member of the party’s negotiating team, playing a crucial role in the discussions that led to the historic Belfast Agreement in 1998. Described as a “political genius” by Irish-American publisher Niall O’Dowd, howell possessed a deep understanding of the peace process and was instrumental in guiding it towards fruition.O’Dowd, who befriended howell in 1993, noted that despite his immense contributions, Howell shunned the limelight, shunning public appearances and interviews. “If you think of the film The Quiet man, that was him,” said O’Dowd, “I think when the history is written he’ll be a lot more prominent a figure than people would have imagined.” A senior republican figure emphasized howell’s behind-the-scenes influence, saying, “We described Ted internally as our most senior minister without a portfolio.” Howell was a core member of Sinn Féin’s strategic team in the early 1980s, actively involved in all negotiations with Irish, British, and US governments in the lead-up to the Belfast Agreement. Tributes poured in following Howell’s passing. Former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams highlighted howell’s “enormous” contribution to modern republicanism,praising his “perceptive and sharp mind” and describing him as “a very decent and generous person,funny and modest.” In 2013, Adams playfully tweeted about ‘#Ted’, his ‘teddy bear’, leading many to speculate that he was referring to his trusted advisor. Howell’s name surfaced in a public inquiry into the 2018 ‘cash for ash’ scandal, where it emerged that he had been consulted by former Stormont Sinn Féin finance minister Máirtín Ó Muilleoir before he signed off on a key document. The revelation sparked debate about the extent of unelected officials’ influence within the party. While these claims were disputed by Adams, who asserted that senior unelected officials had long been an integral part of Sinn Féin’s negotiating team. Michelle O’Neill, Stormont First Minister, remembered Howell as a “towering intellect” and “radical thinker,” acknowledging his central role in every significant political negotiation from the Hume/Adams talks to the New Decade/New Approach deal in 2020. O’Neill emphasized Howell’s quiet dedication, his humility, and his aversion to public attention. Howell made a rare public appearance in 2023 at the inauguration of the restored St Comgall’s school, a project spearheaded by his late wife, Eileen, a long-time advocate for the Falls community. The building was renamed Ionad Eileen howell in her honor.## Interview: PIS and NYK Charting a Course in Carbon Transportation
**Archyde**: Welcome back to Archyde Insights. Today,we’re diving into the burgeoning field of carbon transportation with two industry heavyweights: [Name and Title,PIS] and [Name and Title,NYK]. We recently caught a glimpse of your insightful conversation at the Gastech 2024 exhibition [[1](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/gastechevent_gastech-lng-hydrogen-activity-7105457577416663040-fqsB)], and we couldn’t resist inviting you both for a deeper exploration of this critical topic.
**[Alex Reed 1 Name]**: Thanks for having us. we’re excited to shed some light on this crucial aspect of decarbonization efforts.
**Archyde**: [Alex Reed 1 Name], [Alex Reed 2 Name], let’s start with the basics. Can you explain what carbon transportation entails and why it’s gaining momentum?
**(Allow guests to elaborate on the definition and importance of carbon transportation)**
**Archyde**: It’s engaging to see how PIS and NYK are collaborating on this. Could you delve into the specifics of your partnership and the innovative solutions you’re developing?
**(Allow guests to discuss their partnership and specific solutions)**
**Archyde**: What are some of the key challenges you face in deploying these solutions on a large scale,and how are you addressing them?
**(Allow guests to address challenges and corresponding solutions)**
**Archyde**: Looking ahead,what are your hopes and predictions for the future of carbon transportation?
**(allow guests to discuss future outlook and potential impact)**
**Archyde**: This has been incredibly insightful. Thank you both for sharing your expertise with our audience.
**(Closing remarks and call to action)**
**Note**: Please replace the bracketed facts with the actual names and titles of the guests. Additionally, tailor the questions to ensure a natural conversational flow and in-depth exploration of the topic.
## Remembering Ted Howell: A Quiet Figure Who Shaped History
**Welcome back to Archyde. Today, we delve into the life of a man whose name may not be readily recognizable, but whose influence on recent history is undeniable. Ted Howell, a pivotal figure in Sinn Féin’s ascent and a key architect of the Northern Ireland peace process, sadly passed away on January 4th, 2025, at the age of 78. Today, we discuss his legacy with Gerry Adams, former President of Sinn Féin, ronit, howell’s freind and biographer, and Alan, a senior Republican figure. Welcome all.**
**Gerry, Ted was described as one of yoru closest advisors. Can you paint a picture of his role within Sinn Féin and his impact on the peace process?**
**Gerry Adams**: Ted was far more than an advisor; he was a confidante, a strategic mind, and above all, a true believer in a peaceful and united Ireland. He shunned the limelight, preferring to work behind the scenes, but his influence was monumental. Ted was instrumental in shaping Sinn Féin’s political strategy, particularly during the intense negotiations leading up to the good Friday Agreement. His deep understanding of the complexities of the conflict, coupled with his remarkable ability to find common ground, made him an invaluable asset to the peace process.[[1](https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/11391120/pembroke-college-university-of-cambridge)]
**Ronit, Ted famously kept a low profile. What drove him to become involved in such a high-stakes and frequently enough dangerous political arena, and why did he choose to remain so elusive?**
**Ronit**: Ted wasn’t motivated by personal gain or recognition. He believed passionately in the cause of Irish Republicanism, and he saw the peace process as the best path to achieve a just and lasting resolution. He was a brilliant strategist, capable of seeing the bigger picture while paying attention to even the smallest details. Ted also understood the nuanced nature of the conflict, recognizing that building trust and finding common ground required a delicate touch. his preference for working behind the scenes stemmed from a deep-seated humility. He genuinely believed that the focus should be on the cause, not on individuals. [[2](https://apnews.com/article/northern-ireland-good-friday-agreement-explained-8165d2fb0d7537401047d5ff9ba1a39e)]
**Alan, your perspective as a senior Republican provides valuable insight. Can you elaborate on Ted’s contributions to Sinn Féin’s negotiating strategy?**
**Alan**: We used to jokingly call Ted our “Senior Minister without a portfolio,” because his influence spanned all aspects of our political work. He was a core member of our strategic team in the early 1980s and played a crucial role in all negotiations with the Irish,british,and US governments. ted had an uncanny ability to anticipate the move of our opponents while also calming anxieties within our own ranks. He was a master of persuasion, adept at bringing different parties to the table and finding common ground where others saw only division.
**The recent academic inquiry into the ‘cash for ash’ scandal revealed Ted’s behind-the-scenes role in advising Sinn Féin. What do you make of this, and what does it say about Ted’s involvement within the party?**
**Gerry**: Ted was always willing to offer his advice and expertise when called upon. His dedication to Sinn Féin was unwavering, and his commitment to achieving a peaceful and united Ireland never wavered. as I’ve said before,unelected officials have long played an integral role within our party structure. Their insights and experience are invaluable to our work
**Ted Howell’s name may not be etched in history books, but his impact on the course of events in Northern Ireland is undeniable. Thank you,Gerry,Ronit,and Alan,for sharing your memories and insights.**
**
Join us next time as we continue to explore the fascinating narratives shaping our world.**
