On April 10, 1998, the Good Friday Agreement (also known as the Belfast Agreement) was signed in Belfast by the British and Irish governments and most of Northern Ireland's political parties. The agreement established a power-sharing assembly, created cross-border institutions, and committed to the principle of consent on Northern Ireland's constitutional status. The agreement was approved by large majorities in referendums in both parts of Ireland.

The Good Friday Agreement was hailed in Irish poetry as a triumph of hope over hatred, inspiring a new wave of writing that explored themes of peace and reconciliation. Poets like Paul Muldoon and Michael Longley wrote verses that engaged with the complexities of the peace process, while Seamus Heaney's later work reflected a sense of cautious optimism. The agreement's legacy continues to shape the landscape of contemporary Irish poetry.