It seems that all over the world, there is violent conflict. While much of this occurs between neighboring countries (which is terrible enough, especially for those living on the border), there are even more between various groups and tribes in one country. One such case is the major conflict among the Irish people, highlighted particularly by The Troubles that occurred in our not-so-distant past. During this time, not only was the IRA (Irish Republican Army) fighting for a Free Republic of Ireland, out from the rule of Britain, but they were also fighting against those Irishmen who wished to remain part of the United Kingdom. Often, this separation was found in an individual’s religion and it became a war between the Catholics and the Protestants in Ireland. This continued on into more modern times in which the Catholic’s in Northern Ireland and those just on the other side of the border in Londonderry/Derry* in Republic of Ireland continued to fight to unite the two countries, often through acts of terrorism.
On our tours of Northern Ireland over the last two days, our
group has encountered two walls in different cities set up as memorials to the
destruction that occurred and built to encourage peace between the two
groups. However, despite the similar
purpose, I felt that there was a very different feel about the two walls that I
have had a hard time putting into words. While one seemed to encourage peace for the sake of peace and it’s
goodness, the other seemed darker and more focused on the destruction and peace
for the sake of no more fighting. While
these two may seem very similar, when you are walking along the two walls, the
feel and the very atmosphere feels very different. While the walls in each city are each memorials
to the death and destruction of The Troubles, they have different symbolic
meanings.
The first of these walls is found in Belfast and is called
The Peace Wall. On it are messages of
peace, artwork, and graffiti remembering lost ones, quotes about peace, and a
general theme of “no more fighting.” The
second is found in Londonderry/Derry* and actually consists of four walls referred to as the Walled City. They are the Bishop's Gate, Ferryquay Gate, Butcher's Gate, and Shipquay Gate and are a mile in circumference. These walls contain no writing or artwork or
writing, but instead stand imposingly as if to remind people more of the
destruction caused by The Troubles than the peace to follow. It seems that while the Walled City was built to create a separation, the Peace Wall was built to end the separation. One
seems to be an encouragement to move on to a brighter future, to create peace
for the sake of peace while the other seems to be darker and almost cautionary
in nature, warning future generations not to make the same mistakes.
Unlike much of the modern world, much of America seems to
have very little concept of destruction and war. It is occurring all
around us in other countries, but despite our country's involvement in the wars
of other countries, the only one in our most recent history on our soil that
we really talk about is the Civil War. Most of us have
no idea what it is like to have personal, direct involvement in war and the
violence and destruction that come as a result. This is very different in Ireland where there are still adults who have
lived through the destruction and others who grew up in the wreckage it left
behind. To them, these walls are a
chilling reminder to future generations, and even tourists, of the terrors of
war and the benefits of peace between ourselves.
* The town was initially named Derry and then changed to
Londonderry by the British when they began “planting” loyalists of the Crown in
the town. This town in right at the
border of Northern Ireland and The Republic of Ireland and as such has many
differing political opinions. The name a
person uses is often indicative of their political stance. If Londonderry, they are loyal to Britain and
wish to remain a part of the United Kingdom.
If Derry, they wish to be reunited with the rest of Ireland as a Free
Republic (they often refer to it as “Free Derry”).
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