Belfast Cathedral 2

Belfast Overview

• City Center and Cathedral Quarter: Drive through key areas with distinct community identities.

• Community Divisions: Belfast is divided mainly into Northeast and Southwest sectors. Residents identify with their respective quadrants (e.g., North, East, South, West).

Community Characteristics

• East Belfast: Predominantly Protestant and Unionist.

• West Belfast: Mainly Catholic and Irish Nationalist. Site of lunch during tour.

• South Belfast: Mixed community, contains Queen's University, a significant educational institution.

• North Belfast: Described as a 'patchwork quilt' of various communities.

Urban Features

• New University Campus: Aimed at uniting students of diverse backgrounds, opened by Joe Biden.

• Murals and Art: Significant cultural expression seen through murals that depict community histories and conflicts.

Intersection of Communities

• Shankill Road: Travel route indicative of community divides, monitored by cameras due to historical unrest.

• Community Signage: Local street names (e.g., Carrick Hill) may indicate the predominant community identity; Irish translations signal a nationalist community presence.

Historical Context

• Westlink Motorway: Built in the 1970s as a strategic measure to separate communities; ended up exacerbating sectarian violence.

• Community Conflicts and Symbols: Various flags displayed in the area reflect affiliations with national and international conflicts (e.g., Israeli flags among loyalist symbols).

Paramilitarism and Memorials

• Paramilitary Presence: Areas of Shankill monitored by groups like the UVF and UDA, signifying a complex history of loyalty and conflict.

• Alan McBride's Story: Personal narrative around the 1993 Shankill Bomb; memorial established for victims, demonstrating ongoing community traumas.

Economic Challenges

• Decline in Development: Lots of empty land due to economic downturn post-2008, impacting community vitality.

• Unemployment and Education: High levels of unemployment and educational dropout rates noted in working-class areas like Shankill.

Physical Barriers and Community Sentiment

• Separating Walls: Up to 90 walls exist in Belfast, historically constructed to manage sectarian conflict.

• Community Perspectives on Walls: Most residents believe that walls provide a sense of safety; desire to keep walls despite potential peace.

Peace and Tensions

• Post-Good Friday Agreement: Despite peace, the walls have increased, suggesting ongoing tensions and divided sentiments.

• Research Insights: Surveys show that while peace is acknowledged, the need for physical barriers is still felt necessary for protection against unrest.