Ulster miracle a result of courage and humanity

There are some things you don't expect to see happen in your lifetime, but they do – for instance: the fall of the Berlin wall, the release of Nelson Mandela from prison and the subsequent free elections in South Africa.

The surprises might be good or bad. In more recent times, we've witnessed the UK's decision to leave the European Union, the elevation of Donald Trump to the White House, and Cowdenbeath winning the European cup. (I thought I'd throw in another modern phenomenon - the rise of “fake news".)

There are lots of other unpredictable events, but I want to narrow the focus to Northern Ireland. Some years ago, who would have thought they would be looking at pictures of Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness sitting together, roaring with laughter?

And who would have thought they would ever witness a congregation bursting into applause when the political leader of Ulster Protestantism walked down the aisle of a Roman Catholic church for the funeral of former IRA commander?

All these things go to prove that the age of miracles is not yet over.

I have a personal interest in Northern Ireland, in that over the years I've made several visits to the province to stay with members of my wife's family.

About three decades ago, I went on Sunday evening to hear Ian Paisley preach in his Belfast temple. It was quite an experience. Dr Paisley bellowed his anti-Catholic certainties in barnstorming fashion.

His numerous devotees received him rapturously. The man known as ‘ Dr No' made it clear that he was opposed to any political changes that might weaken Protestant power.

Fast forward the film. The photographs do not lie: there was Dr No sitting on a sofa exchanging jokes with Martin McGuinness, no less.

Not only that, the Democratic Unionist Party leader was prepared to enter into an unprecedented power-sharing arrangement with Sinn Fein.

Years ago, anyone who predicted that there would be a government in Stormont led by Ian Paisley as First Minister and Martin McGuinness as his deputy would have been referred for treatment.

The personal bond between Paisley and McGuinness was genuine. The two men sometimes even prayed together.

When Ian Paisley died in September 2014 , Martin McGuinness paid him a fulsome and moving tribute.

Fast forward again to last week, and the not-unexpected death of Martin McGuinness.

Understandably, the funeral of McGuiness was bound to be a contentious event, given McGuiness's past history in the IRA. Relatives of victims would be unlikely to mourn McGuinness's passing. Yet the truth is that without Martin McGuinness's later turning against violence and his willingness to participate fully in the peace process, Northern Ireland would not have enjoyed the past decade of relative peace and stability.

There was much public speculation before the funeral in St Columba's Church, Londonderry about whether Northern Ireland's First Minister, Mrs Arlene Foster, would turn up. There were good reasons for suggesting that the DUP leader would stay at home.

After all, her own policeman father had been shot and wounded by an IRA gunman. When she was 16, the IRA had attacked her school bus.

She knew a sizeable number of her party would be angered if she elected to attend the funeral of such a prominent former IRA leader.

Her decision to attend the funeral was a brave and magnanimous one. But what kind of reception would she get?

As Mrs Foster was led to her pew in a low-key manner, some people in the galleries stood up and began to applaud.

As the word of the DUP leader's attendance passed around the church, the clapping grew in volume and some cheered. Mrs Foster looked up and smiled shyly.

As the latest stand-off over the future governance of Ulster shows, Northern Ireland's problems are not completely solved. But before we hurry on with the rest of our lives, we should pause for a few minutes and give thanks.

Miracles do happen – usually not through flashes from the sky or sitting back waiting, but through courage, commitment, hours of black coffee and cigarettes and whisky and tedium, prayer, openness and sheer humanity.

TOMORROW: IAIN MACIVER

Miracles do happen – usually not through flashes from the sky or sitting back waiting, but through courage, commitment, hours of black coffee and cigarettes and whisky