The Traveller's Tale

This book for the first time lifts the veil of secrecy which has surrounded the Irish Government’s operation in the North during the Peace Process. From its headquarters in Iveagh House, a dedicated group, known as the Travellers, spearheaded that operation. They were the Government’s eyes and ears throughout Northern Ireland.
The Travellers quietly and without fanfare, expended huge resources of time and effort in travelling the highways and byways of the North, speaking with all shades of opinion. In the end, all those private conversations in community halls, church missions, dingy bars and clubs helped bring about the level of understanding and trust necessary.
The policy of Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, of talking to everybody was so much more productive than the bad old days of boycotting, walkouts and demonization.
Ahern and Albert Reynolds shattered the old blinkered groupthink of official Ireland and helped pave the pathway to peace.
This personal account, written by Ray Bassett, who for almost two decades was a key part of that operation, is a must read for those wanting to understand Dublin’s role in the process. It also provides an invaluable insight into the inner workings of Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs.