THE President, Mrs Robinson on a visit to Warrington yesterday, said the moral authority and strength of the community was "stronger than any bullet or bomb" and that she was "reassured and impressed" by the spirit of reconciliation she had encountered.
Opening the Warrington Fleadh, a two week festival to "enjoy the variety and celebrate the differences of cultures" the President said the resilience and determination of the people of the town to move forward and create links of friendship with the people of Ireland had "put Warrington on the peace map in a very special way. Warrington has its place in the hearts of the people of Ireland.
"It is the determination to build friendships which is recognised and valued by the people of Ireland. There has been a wonderful period during the cessation of violence which has enabled a coming together of the people of Ireland.
"The people of Warrington have reached out and helped to build friendships and I am very reassured by the reactions of the people in asserting good relationships."
That was why, the President added, she would urge those people who have a political responsibility to negotiate to bring about the "difficult but necessary political solution" to the problems in Northern Ireland.
The efforts of the organisation, Warrington Irish Reconciliation Enterprise (WIRE), to improve cultural and educational links between the two communities have had a "very significant impact" and had served to "deepen the continued friendships" of the people of Warrington and Ireland.
The President said WIRE was a "reconciling influence", which in the light of the ending of the IRA's ceasefire strengthened the bilateral relationship.
The community leaders of Warrington echoed the theme of reconciliation adopted by the President. In Bridge Street, the scene of the IRA bomb in 1993 which killed two young boys, Colin Parry and Jonathan Ball, the Rev Steven Kingsnall said it had now become synonymous with bridge building and "the sharing of lives and experiences and traditions of other folk".
Mr Kingsnall explained that the opening of the Warrington Fleadh would prove to the community that the work of WIRE was not a temporary response to the IRA's bomb, but that it represented "the sticking power of the community to pro mote understanding through arts and culture.
In the aftermath of the IRA bomb, he said, fresh seeds had taken root to produce "creativity from destruction, hope's drawn from despair."
At Warrington Town Hall, the President attended the unveiling of a memorial book which record the names of the 132 victims of terrorist violence in Northern Ireland since the IRA planted its bomb in the town in March 1993. The chairman of WIRE, Cllr John, Hannou, said he had given a commitment to WIRE's umbrella organisation, Peace 93, to ensure the memorial book a home at the town hall".
Earlier, the President attended Mass in St Patrick's Church, Manchester, which was celebrated by the head of the Catholic Church in Britain, Cardinal Basil Hume, and the Bishop of Salford, the Rt Rev Patrick Kelly.
In his sermon, Cardinal Hume reflected on the "deep thirst which is in all of us for justice and peace". He said while it was "no part of mine" as a bishop to comment on the political process in Northern Ireland, it was his right to protest against all acts of terrorism and all acts of violence whether physical or verbal.
Cardinal Hume told the congregation that "violence always breeds violence. The killing of another human being is barbarous and a contradiction of the law of the Commandments. We should try to build our society on love and respect for one another and pray for justice and pray for peace."
The three day visit of the President to the north west was welcomed by members of the Irish community who attended a reception at the Irish World Heritage centre in Manchester.
Lining up to shake the President's hand, one woman commented the visit was especially welcome at such a sensitive time. One local resident said: "We all feel that it is important she is here to support the peace efforts in Ireland and Britain."
Last night, the President launched the Manchester Irish Festival at the city's town hall and at a reception in the residence of the Vice Chancellor, Manchester University, President Robinson was presented with an Honorary Chair of Law.
The President's visit concludes today.