Great Britain and Ireland were engaged in an often bloody stand-off from most of the 20th century, most notably during the dark days of 1970s Northern Ireland.

Thousands were killed in the Ulster province during the height of “The Troubles”, when sectarian violence often claimed the lives of innocent people going about their daily lives.

Both Catholics and Protestants engaged in acts of unspeakable violence. Neither side could claim the moral high ground.

The low points in the British-Irish relationship were notably the 1972 Bloody Sunday tragedy and the 1979 murder of Earl Mountbatten.

Many died before, during and after those events but the never-ending roll-call of carnage meant the rest of the world often tuned out to the horrors of Belfast, Derry and elsewhere.

It is with this in mind that the events of this week are truly extraordinary.

Prince Charles and Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams shook hands in front of the cameras and engaged in talks covering the progress of the peace process.

The two men have reason to despise one another, given the personal loss both have suffered through the Ulster conflict.

Their meeting in Galway symbolised a process towards rapprochement that began with the 1997 Good Friday Agreement. 

The two nations with so much shared history have moved closer together since then with a 2011 Irish visit by Queen Elizabeth hailed as a breakthrough moment.

War-weary people across the globe, from Israel and Palestine to Russia and Ukraine to India and Pakistan should reflect on the Anglo-Irish reconciliation.

The last word should go to Mary Hornsey, the mother of a young boy who was killed in the Mountbatten bombing and attended a church service this week to reflect on how much had changed nearly four decades on.

“It was one of the most wonderful experiences I have had,” Mrs Hornsey said, “turning a very tragic event into something that is healing and forgiving.”