The Troubles in Northern Ireland

As an English child of the fifties and sixties I remember the period in modern Irish history which was called The Troubles. What a sorry term for a time in history which saw so much conflict.

Northern Ireland had seen its fair share of problems over the years. In many ways these problems dated back to the 1600s but, in 1963, matters again reached crisis point.

As is so often the case with conflict religion was a bug part of the problem. However, we must remember that this is largely not the fault of religion but rather those who follow each faith.

The catalyst for the Troubles seems to have been when the prime minister of Northern Ireland, Viscount Brookeborough, stepped down after twenty years in office. He was forced to resign by members of his own political party.

Northern Ireland's Catholics were the minority of the population. The Protestants had the upper hand in so many ways. The boundaries of each local government area had been draw in order to give the Protestants advantages. Entitlement to vote in the local elections was restricted to rate payers which meant that many Protestants were excluded.

The fifties had, however, seen some improvements in the lives of Catholics. This had meant that Catholic children had received a decent education. As these children moved toward adulthood they now were educated enough to challenge the Protestants dominance.

Members of the Catholic Community were hopeful for the future, but Protestant members were fearful. Eventually the situation became such that, in 1966, violence finally came to the streets of Northern Ireland.

The Battle of Bogside in 1969 was a direct result of an Apprentice Boys March. The Orange Order have a marching season which continues to this day. To my mind many of the celebrations associated with these marches are from the long ago past and totally irrelevant today. Unfortunately, these marches still have the power to incite unrest. Protestants would march close to Catholic homes, which must have been unsettling and intimidating to say the least.

The Battle of Bogside happened three months before my father died. I remember that year well for so many reasons. As a family we watched the TV footage of events in Northern Ireland. It was awful, however, little did we know that it would last so long.

Successive generations were born and reached adulthood, not knowing any thing other than The Troubles. British and World news often contained details of bombings and deaths. Tit for tat killings, carried out as retaliation were rife.

In May 1981 Bobby Sands became the first hunger striker to die from voluntary starvation, in the infamous maze prison.He was not the last though. He was 27 years old.

However, times had begun to change and peace seemed to be within Northern Ireland's grasp.

I have many mixed feelings about the Troubles. The violence was long and procrastinated. Many innocent people died. All sides carried out some things which were right and others which were wrong. Many Irish Americans helped to financially support the fighters in Northern Ireland. As these fighters were terrorists perhaps these same people now look at some of this a little differently. After 9/11 showed what such acts can do to the lives of ordinary citizens perhaps they realise just what the UK suffered over the years.

• In 1966 the Ulster Voluntary Force painted graffiti on a Catholic owned shop. They threw a petrol bomb through the window which killed a 77 year old Protestant widow. The UVF declared war on the IRA, the Irish Republican Army, and much worse was to follow.
• Also in 1966 a Catholic barman and shop owner were killed and many others injured.
• Early in 1969 the country suffered a period of blackouts after the bombing of a power station. More bombs exploded at power and water pumping stations
• Trouble kept flaring up around Northern Ireland, often linked to marches.
• During the Battle of Bogside, in 1968, three days of rioting took place. This involved the Catholic residents, the police and Protestant marchers.
• During the 1970s many bombs exploded on mainland Britain. Bombs exploded at Heathrow airport, parliament, there were many car bombs, Earles Court experienced an explosion, Oxford Street was hit and in the lobby of London's Hilton Hotel a bomb exploded. These attacks killed some, left many injured and also resulted in more than a few people losing limbs.

All of the above happened in a short space of time though.

There were so many more instances of bombings that it would be impossible to record them all. Such were the times that, when Hubby and I visitied London, in the early eighties and there was very loud thunder, we, and the other shoppers, assumed it was a bomb.

At least 3594 people died during The Troubles. These include British and Irish, Protestant and Catholic, young and old alike.

The troubles were to last until the late nineties, but even then all was not well. All any of can do his hope that Northern Ireland has seen the end of such Troubles.

The period between 1963 and around 1998 was when the Troubles were at their worst, and will go down in histiry as a dark period.

 Please note that this Hub is not intended to pass an opinion on The Troubles but just remember this time in Irish history