The stated purpose of the peace lines is to minimise inter-communal violence between Catholics (most of whom are nationalists who self-identify as Irish) and Protestants (most of whom are unionists who self-identify as British).
Why do Belfast Peace Walls exist?
Following the outbreak of ongoing sectarian violence that came to be known as The Troubles in 1969, the Belfast Peace Walls were erected in a bid to reduce tensions between the Loyalist and Nationalist communities.
How many peace walls are in north Belfast?
There are at least 40 walls through Belfast, separating suburbs that are predominately unionist and nationalist. If added up together, they run for almost 30 kilometres in total.
Are there still Peace Lines in Belfast?
Are there still peace walls in Belfast? Yes, at least east 40 of them throughout Belfast, separating suburbs. In West Belfast, the most prominent of the peace walls can be found between The Falls Road and Shankill Road. Additionally, there are peace walls in North Belfast, East Belfast, Portadown, and Derry.
Where is the peace line in Belfast?
Constructed from brick and iron or steel, some of the walls stand up to 20ft high and extend for miles through residential areas. Perhaps the most prominent peace wall is that which has divided the nationalist Falls Road and unionist Shankill Road in West Belfast for some 50 years.
Is Belfast more Catholic or Protestant?
These figures based on the 2021 census at district level mask wide variations on smaller scales. In the Belfast City Council and Derry and Strabane District Council areas, the figures at ward level vary from 99% Protestant to 92% Catholic.
What is the purpose of the peace wall?
In the ’70s, the British government began to build separation barriers known as “peace walls” around Northern Ireland to separate Catholic and Protestant areas in an attempt to control sectarian violence.
Why are there murals on the walls of houses in Belfast?
Murals in Northern Ireland have become symbols of Northern Ireland, depicting the region’s past and present political and religious divisions. Belfast and Derry contain arguably the most famous political murals in Europe. It is believed that almost 2,000 murals have been documented since the 1970s.
Where are the loyalist areas in Belfast?
On its western edge Ardoyne borders on the Crumlin Road and Woodvale Road, two mainly loyalist areas. To the south of Ardoyne there are a number of interface areas on the Oldpark Road. The Torrens area was a heavily fortified loyalist enclave on the road access onto which is severely restricted.
How many rough sleepers are there in Belfast?
Tackling Rough Sleeping in Belfast: Street Needs Audit
The rough sleeper street counts and estimates identified a total of 38 rough sleepers across Northern Ireland and the report below provides a summary of key facts and figures on the methodology used and the support that is available to rough sleepers.
Is Northern Ireland still hostile?
Although political violence is, fortunately, now rare in Northern Ireland, tensions remain between Loyalists and Republicans. This strain is particularly strong in certain towns or neighborhoods.
Is the IRA still active?
Several splinter groups have been formed as a result of splits within the IRA, including the Continuity IRA and the Real IRA, both of which are still active in the dissident Irish republican campaign.
Is Northern Ireland still fighting for independence?
Also known internationally as the Northern Ireland conflict, it is sometimes described as an “irregular war” or “low-level war”. The conflict began in the late 1960s and is usually deemed to have ended with the Good Friday Agreement of 1998.
What is the Protestant side of Belfast?
The east of the city is predominantly Protestant, typically 90% or more. This area, along with the north of the city, is the main growth pole of the Protestant population.
What is the Protestant area of Belfast called?
The Shankill Road
The Shankill Road (from Irish: Seanchill, meaning ‘old church’) is one of the main roads leading through West Belfast, in Northern Ireland. It runs through the working-class, predominantly loyalist, area known as the Shankill.
What is the Catholic area of Belfast called?
The Falls Road (from Irish túath na bhFál ‘territory of the enclosures’) is the main road through West Belfast, Northern Ireland, running from Divis Street in Belfast City Centre to Andersonstown in the suburbs. The name has been synonymous for at least a century and a half with the Catholic community in the city.
What is the most common surname in Northern Ireland?
1. Doherty. Topping this list of the most common surnames in Northern Ireland is Doherty. This hugely popular surname links back to a Donegal sept first discovered in the 14th century in Ireland.
What is the most Protestant place in Northern Ireland?
They march to a very different beat in the village of Drum, a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it sort of place that still manages to be an eye-opener in the heart of Co Monaghan.
What county in Ireland has the most Protestants?
Areas where the Protestant minority was strongest tended to see the least decline, primary examples being the three Ulster counties that became part of the Free State: Cavan, Donegal, and Monaghan.
How is Belfast split?
The city is traditionally divided into four main areas based on the cardinal points of a compass, each of which form the basis of constituencies for general elections: North Belfast, East Belfast, South Belfast, and West Belfast. These four areas meet at Belfast City Centre.
Why do Catholic and Protestant fight in Ireland?
Tensions Leading to the Troubles
While Ireland was fully independent, Northern Ireland remained under British rule, and the Catholic communities in cities like Belfast and Derry (legally called Londonderry) complained of discrimination and unfair treatment by the Protestant-controlled government and police forces.