Belfast’s Walled Legacy: Reflecting on the Past, Bridging the Divide

Jim White lost his best friend at the age of 14 due to an unexpected eight-meter high wall that divided Belfast’s Protestant north from the Catholic west. Now, at 69 years old, he acknowledges that a lot has changed since the troubles, but he still values the Peace Wall gate on North Howard Street being closed overnight as a precaution.

Half a kilometer away from Jim White, Michael Culbert works with his association Coiste, offering political tours along the Peace Wall. Culbert, a former IRA member, has taken around 16,000 people to central points in Belfast to explore the history of the paramilitary. He aims to make things visible and stand up for politically condemned people like himself. Culbert joined the IRA at 23 after witnessing Bloody Sunday, a pivotal moment that led to his involvement in the conflict.

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 Belfast’s dark legacy, tourism in Northern Ireland 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.

While older generations remember Northern Ireland’s turbulent history, younger residents like Gemma Gabbie and a group of teenagers are more focused on moving forward. Gabbie believes that the Good Friday Agreement has served its purpose while teenagers advocate for Gates of Peace to remain open longer seeking to bridge community divides in Belfast. The future of Northern Ireland rests on finding peace between its troubled past and hope for a peaceful future where walls no longer separate friends.

The legacy of conflict in Belfast is undeniable; however, it is also essential not to let it define its present or future. As Jim White prefers not to visit certain areas due to their past traumas while Michael Culbert seeks to educate visitors about them through political tours and James Ellison shares stories about these places while highlighting their importance today.

Gemma Gabbie and teenagers may have different perspectives on how Northern Ireland should move forward; however, they all share hope for peace between communities.

Ultimately, it is essential for everyone who visits or lives in Northern Ireland to understand its complex history while acknowledging its potential for growth and progress towards peacefulness.

In conclusion, even though Jim White lost his best friend because of an eight-meter high wall that separated communities in Belfast during Troubles era , now he acknowledges that many things have changed . Tour guides such as James Ellison continue sharing stories from conflict hotspots while Michael Culbert offers political tours through them hoping for peace . Meanwhile younger generation such as Gemma Gabbie wants Gates of Peace open longer , seeking harmony between communities .