Walls, Tours and Perspectives: A Journey Through Northern Ireland’s Conflicted Past and Present

Jim White, a man of 69 years old, recalls the day when an eight-meter high wall separated him from his best friend. This wall was part of the Protestant north and Catholic west of Belfast, and it marked the beginning of the troubles that lasted for decades. Today, White can visit the once notorious Catholic Springfield Road in west Belfast, but he prefers not to. He acknowledges that a lot has changed since then, but he still values the Peace Wall gate on North Howard Street being closed overnight as a precaution.

Half a kilometer away from White, Michael Culbert works with his association Coiste to offer political tours along the Peace Wall. Culbert is a former IRA member who joined the organization at 23 after witnessing Bloody Sunday, which led to his involvement in the conflict. He aims to make things visible and stand up for politically condemned people like himself.

Tour guide James Ellison leads tours through Belfast’s conflict hotspots, sharing stories of pivotal events like the Abercorn Restaurant bombing and the emergence of spaces where young Protestants and Catholics could socialize together. Despite its dark legacy, tourism in Belfast has thrived since 1998, surpassing a billion euros in revenue. However, Ellison emphasizes that peace remains fragile, as evidenced by recent incidents of violence related to Brexit concerns.

On the other hand, younger residents like Gemma Gabbie and a group of teenagers are more focused on moving forward than dwelling on Northern Ireland’s turbulent history. Gabbie believes that the Good Friday Agreement has served its purpose while advocating for Gates of Peace to remain open longer so that communities in Belfast can bridge their divide. The future of Northern Ireland rests on finding a delicate balance between its troubled past and hope for a peaceful future where walls no longer separate friends or communities.

In conclusion, Jim White reflects on how much has changed since he lost his friend due to political tensions in Northern Ireland. Michael Culbert works tirelessly to keep history alive through political tours along