Dear Grandma,

A few days ago, I was talking with a friend of mine who knows Belfast very well and narrates me a little bit the story of the city, especially the conflicts that are really present there.

From there, I made a lot of research about the conflicts and tensions that exist in the city, and here is what I learned.

The conflict in Northern Ireland, also known as 'The Troubles', is a period of violence and unrest in Northern Ireland in the second half of the twentieth century. It began in the late 1960s and is considered 'over' between 1997 and 2007 according to the interpretations. But violence continues after that date occasionally and on a small scale, while most of the groups lay down their arms and stop the fight.

In 1921 Ireland was split into two entities. South Ireland wins its autonomy and independence in 1948 and Northern Ireland remaining a British province. The Northern Irish Catholics are then relegated to second-class citizens, not having the right to vote. In the 1960s, they claim equality equal rights. This is the beginning of the conflict.

As I said, the conflict began in the second half of the 1960s by the civil rights movement against segregation suffered by the Catholic minority. The opposition between republicans and nationalists (mainly Catholic) on one hand and loyalists and unionists (mainly Protestant) on the other hand on Northern Ireland's future leads to a huge rise in violence that has lasted for thirty years. It is the fact of Republican paramilitary groups as :

- IRA, which aims to end British rule in Northern Ireland and create an Irish Republic and loyalist on the whole island

- Ulster Volunteer Force, formed in 1966, which wants to stop a perceived deterioration of the British character of the country.

This conflict affects the daily lives of most Northern Irish citizens, and indirectly the ones of the English and Irish in the south of the island. On several occasions between 1969 and 1998 the conflict should have turn into a civil war. For example in 1972 (the deadliest year) after the Bloody Sunday (On Sunday, January 30, 1972, thirteen civilians were shot dead by the British army during a demonstration for equal civil rights, Derry. It gives a violent turn to the conflict and a long series of attacks by the IRA will follow) or during the hunger strike of prisoners in 1981 (when form massive and hostile demonstrations of both parties).

In hundred of metres only of Victoria Street, near the centre of Belfast, Sandy Row is a hard-line Protestant fief

At the edge of Shankill Road, protest of faith 

Police station, between Sandy Row (Protestant) and the district of the Falls (Catholic)

In Falls Road's beginning, isolated catholic building and having undergone numerous attacks 

During all this period of time, we were able to notice ten steps towards a settlement of the conflict :

- April 10, 1998 : Good Friday Agreement, providing for power sharing between Protestants and Catholics elected within semi-autonomous institutions.

- December 2, 1999 : Start of self-management of Northern Ireland.

- October 23, 2001 : The IRA started its disarmament.

- October 14, 2002 : espionage allegations against Sinn Féin cause a crisis. Northern Ireland is under the supervision of London.

- July 28, 2005 : The IRA instructs its militants to abandon the armed struggle.

- October 13, 2006 : Tony Blair and Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern unveil an agreement under which Sinn Fein accept the authority of the Northern Ireland police and Ian Paisley sharing power.

- January 28, 2007 : Sinn Féin recognizes the legitimacy of the Northern Irish police.

- March 7, 2007 : Legislative elections place the DUP and Sinn Fein to the first and second positions.

- March 26, 2007 : Historic meeting between Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams, leader of Sinn Féin. They agree to share power from May 8.

- May 8, 2007 : Inauguration of the new unity government bringing together Catholics and Protestants.

The Troubles' impact on the ordinary people of Northern Ireland produced such psychological trauma that the city of Belfast had been compared to London during the Blitz.

Nowadays, the situation seems to be calmer but there are still conflict in the different areas of the city. Indeed, as you can see in that picture, the East side of the River Lagan is only inhabited by Protestants and the West side of the city is mostly inhabited by the Catholics.

I think this is it for the story of the Troubles. I am sure that you can learn more, but here is the global story of what happened. This period marks the mind of people from all around the world and chocked the citizens of Belfast and others city of Ireland. It was intense to learn all this information.

Regards,

Clémence