The Two Sides of the Troubles


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Published: June 7th 2019
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“It takes a great deal of courage to see the world in all its tainted glory, and still to love it.” - Oscar Wilde We started the day sleeping in until 8:30 (!), followed by a delicious breakfast at the Bullitt Hotel restaurant. I has the veggie Irish (poached eggs, grilled halloumi cheese, mushrooms, potatoes, grilled peppers, tomato chutney, and sourdough toast), and Susan had the full Irish... Read Full Entry



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Divis TowerDivis Tower
Divis Tower

The British Army took over the top 3 floors for surveillance on the population
Our Republican ex politician prisonerOur Republican ex politician prisoner
Our Republican ex politician prisoner

He was a member of the IRA, imprisoned with Bobby Sands.
Republican muralsRepublican murals
Republican murals

This one commemorating the 1916 Easter Rising
Republican muralsRepublican murals
Republican murals

Commemorating the 10 hunger strikers who died.
Republican murals Republican murals
Republican murals

Commemorating the H-Block protests. Our guide was imprisoned in H Block, with Bobby Sands
Bobby Sands muralBobby Sands mural
Bobby Sands mural

He was the first hunger striker to die, in 1981.
Republican muralRepublican mural
Republican mural

The houses along Bombay street were burned by the Loyalists at the beginning of the Troubles



11th June 2019
Conflict Textiles - “Through the Barricades”

Where is the love?
I like this tribute to the people who saw people as people, and looked beyond religion and politics (although the crooked / uneven lines in the fabrics are doing my head in!) :) I feel a similar way to you when faced with such entrenched animosity between groups... I just don't see the point of it - we get one life, and it's too short to waste on hate.
11th June 2019
Conflict Textiles - “Through the Barricades”

Where is the love?
There are lots of people working at maintaining the peace, but I must admit I found the ongoing divisions a bit surprising. I suppose I shouldn't have, considering the Troubles went on for close to 30 years, and of course the history of English rule goes back 800 or so years ... I wonder if in a generation or two the animosity and divisions will have faded. I hope so.
12th June 2019

Belfast
Belfast is an education.... religion, history and wonderful people.
12th June 2019

Belfast
Yes, it certainly was. It was really a privilege to hear the views of both sides.
29th June 2019

The Troubles
I also took a walk through the Falls Road and Shankill Road areas during my visit last year. It was also for me a real eye opener into the situation, and made me realise how tricky it has been, and must still be, to move forward given the dark days of the past. It's truly incredible that the peace agreement was reached, and I continue to pray for the peaceful future of beautiful Northern Ireland.

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