Bullets to Ballots - Past Lessons and Present Challenges from The Troubles

The Future of Our Former Democracy

George and Colin get into The Troubles - Northern Ireland's turbulent period from the late 1960s to 1998. They discuss the social, political, and sectarian divisions that sparked the Troubles, featuring key events such as Northern Ireland’s civil rights movement, Bloody Sunday, the Abercorn bombing and the killing of three Scottish fusiliers. The narrative explores both the historical and contemporary impacts of segregation and violence in Belfast, the evolution of the IRA, and the contentious policies of internment, British military intervention and direct rule by Westminster during this time. We hear from people who experienced the conflict firsthand, and underscore the importance of the early and bold attempt at power sharing, (the Sunningdale Agreement) in arriving at a historic peace accord years later (the 1998 Agreement) an important step towards lasting peace through power-sharing. The narrative underscores the ongoing struggle for power-sharing and the implications of different electoral systems in conflict resolution.

Special thanks to the experts featured in this episode:

Dominic Bryan, Queens University Belfast

Paul Donnelly, Dead Center Tours

Claire Hanna, MP for South Belfast and Mid Down

Gerry Lynch, former Executive Director of the Alliance Party (2007-2011)

Sam McBride, Belfast Telegraph

Pádraig Ó Tuama, Poetry Unbound

Episode photo gallery

Music and archival

Transcript

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