From 1970 through 1972 an explosion of political violence occurred in Northern Ireland. The deadliest attack in the early 70s was the McGurk’s Bar bombing by the UVF in 1971. The violence peaked in 1972, when nearly 500 people, just over half of them civilians, were killed, the worst year in the entire conflict.
What was happening in Belfast 1969?
The bloodiest clashes were in Belfast, where seven people were killed and hundreds wounded, five of them Catholic civilians shot by police. Protesters clashed with both the police and with loyalists, who attacked Catholic districts.
What was the issue in Belfast?
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.
What happened in Belfast in the 1980s?
Thursday 17 January 1980
Three people were killed and two injured when a bomb, being planted by the Irish Republican Army (IRA), exploded prematurely on a train at Dunmurray, near Belfast. One of those who died was a member of the IRA and the other two people were civilians.
What happened in the 1960s in Belfast?
On 1 January 1969, People’s Democracy began a four-day march from Belfast to Derry, which was repeatedly harassed and attacked by loyalists. At Burntollet Bridge the marchers were attacked by about 200 loyalists, including some off-duty police officers, armed with iron bars, bricks and bottles in a planned ambush.
Does the IRA still exist?
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.
What was Belfast known for?
Belfast, Northern Ireland’s capital city, is perhaps best known for the sectarian strife that took place here during the era of the “Troubles,” and as the birthplace of the Titanic (and many other ships that didn’t sink). While these two claims to fame aren’t too uplifting, Belfast’s story is hardly a downer.
Why was Belfast a target for German bombing?
The Germans, however, saw Belfast as a legitimate target due to the shipyards in the city that were contributing to Britain’s war efforts. Poor visibility on the night meant that the accuracy of the bombers was hampered and the explosives were dropped on densely populated areas of Belfast.
Is Belfast Catholic or Protestant?
As you can see, west Belfast is mainly Catholic, in most areas over 90%. For many years, the Catholic population expanded to the southwest, but in recent years it has started expanding around the Shankill and into north Belfast. The east of the city is predominantly Protestant, typically 90% or more.
What happened in Ireland in 1970s?
What is History? In the 1970s and 1980s, a group in favour of Northern Ireland joining the Republic started bombings and tried to remove British troops and British rule in Northern Ireland. This group was called the Provisional IRA. Many people were killed or maimed in the bomb blasts.
Who is the most famous person from Belfast?
Top 10 most famous people from Belfast of all time
- George Best – a football legend.
- C.S.
- Van Morrisson – the Belfast music man.
- Jamie Dornan – a Hollywood favourite.
- Kenneth Branagh – a successful actor and filmmaker.
- Brian Kennedy – a beloved Irish singer-songwriter.
- Mary McAleese – an inspiring female leader.
What happened in Titanic in Belfast?
It tells the stories of the Titanic, which hit an iceberg and sank during her maiden voyage in 1912, and her sister ships RMS Olympic and HMHS Britannic.
| Titanic Belfast | |
|---|---|
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Coordinates | 54°36′29.97″N 5°54′35.09″W |
| Construction started | May 2009 |
| Opened | 31 March 2012 |
What happened in Northern Ireland in the 1970s?
As the 1970s progressed, rioting became more common in Belfast and Derry, bombings of public places (by both loyalists and republicans) increased, and both sides of the conflict perpetrated violent, deadly atrocities.
When was the last execution in Belfast?
20 December 1961
The last person to be executed by the British state in Ireland was Robert McGladdery, who was hanged on 20 December 1961 in Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Why did Stormont fall in 1972?
Stormont was abolished and Direct Rule from Westminster was introduced in March 1972, just six weeks after Bloody Sunday, when the Unionist government refused to hand over responsibility for law and order to Westminster.
Why are the Irish called Fenians?
The name originated with the Fianna of Irish mythology – groups of legendary warrior-bands associated with Fionn mac Cumhail. Mythological tales of the Fianna became known as the Fenian Cycle.
Does England still rule Ireland?
Most of Ireland gained independence from Great Britain following the Anglo-Irish War. Initially formed as a Dominion called the Irish Free State in 1922, the Republic of Ireland became a fully independent republic following the passage of the Republic of Ireland Act in 1949.
Does Northern Ireland want to be part of Ireland?
Unionists support Northern Ireland remaining part of the United Kingdom, and therefore oppose Irish unification.
Is Belfast more Irish or British?
In 2021: 42.8% identified as British, alone or with other national identities. 33.3% identified as Irish, alone or with other national identities. 31.5% identified as Northern Irish, alone or with other national identities.
What do you call a person from Belfast?
According to some websites, we’re called Belfastians, but frankly, no-one has ever used that word in public and we’ve never seen it on anything official. And let’s face it, it’s just not snappy to call people from Belfast, ‘people from Belfast‘ all the time.
What does Belfast mean in Irish?
mouth of the sand-bank ford
Belfast (/ˈbɛlfæst/ BEL-fast, /-fɑːst/ -fahst; from Irish: Béal Feirste [bʲeːlˠ ˈfʲɛɾˠ(ə)ʃtʲə], meaning ‘mouth of the sand-bank ford‘) is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, standing on the banks of the River Lagan on the east coast.