Peacebuilding a shared Northern Irish society
‘Productive discomfort’: artists grapple with identity’s contradictions in live ARINS podcastby Allan LEONARD8 May 2026 Belfast Exposed gallery on Donegall Street hosted a live recording of the ARINS “My Identity” podcast on 8 May 2026, as part of the BIEN programme — an ongoing series of exhibitions and events under the title “British? Irish? Either?... Continue Reading →
“Our task will be literally to transform Ulster. To achieve it will demand bold and imaginative measures.” —Terence O’Neill, as Northern Ireland Prime Minister, to Ulster Unionist Council, advocating more liberal attitude towards the Catholic minority, 1/4/1963. Bardon, Jonathan, A History of Ulster, Blackstaff Press, 1992. p. 622. #northernireland #otd #politics #qotd
“This is the decision of a lifetime for peace in Ireland. You must get it done. You must do it for yourselves and your children.” —US President Bill Clinton, at White House addressing Irish political leaders, The Irish Times, 18 March 1998 #northernireland #ireland #qotd #otd #gfa
“The Government might be able to slap down the men of Derry. They might even be able to slap down the men of Londonderry. But they cannot slap down the united men of Derry and Londonderry.” —Eddie McAteer, as Nationalist MP, on cross-community rejection in Derry/Londonderry of the Northern Ireland Government’s decision to site second... Continue Reading →
“It is essential to enter into official opposition at Stormont to ensure that existing parliamentary machinery operates for the common good… Our fidelity to the united Ireland ideal remains unaltered by this decision.” —Nationalist Party, as Northern Ireland anti-partition party, in statement ending policy of non-cooperation in the Northern Ireland Parliament, 2/2/1965. The Irish Times,... Continue Reading →
“I can think of nothing which would work more strikingly the great changes of our times, or the strengthening of our Republican self-respect, than to see a member of the British royal family coming to Ireland on a private visit, travelling freely round Ireland, without anyone paying special attention.” —Sean Lemass, as Taoiseach, on demonstrations... Continue Reading →
"We should support the civil rights campaign in the North... There is a majority there that wants unity with Britain and we must respect that, but at the same time we must reject their right to oppress the minority." —Conor Cruise O'Brien, 25/1/1969, as delegate to Labour Party conference. The Irish Times, 27/1/1969. #civilrights #ireland... Continue Reading →
“It is wrong that we act on beliefs; we should judge on the facts.” —Arlene Foster, 21/1/2017, responding to questions about the Renewable Heating Initiative (RHI) scandal. #factchecking #northernireland #qotd #otd
“In this situation partition will become so obviously an anachronism that all sensible people will want to bring it to an end.” —Sean Lemass, as Taoiseach, on an effect of membership of the Common Market (later European Union), for which the UK and Ireland (unsuccessfully) applied, 14/1/1962. The Irish Times, 15/6/1962. #ireland #politics #qotd #otd... Continue Reading →
“We both share the same rivers, the same mountains, and some of the same problems, and therefore I think it is reasonable that the two premiers should meet and discuss matters of mutual interest, and that is actually what we did today.” —Terence O’Neill, as Northern Ireland Prime Minister, in television interview after meeting Taoiseach,... Continue Reading →
“When London gets a chill, Northern Ireland gets the flu and Derry gets pneumonia; it’s that sort of relationship.” —Peter Shore, as UK Economic Affairs Minister, 1/1967. Paul Routledge, John Hume, Harper Collins, 1998, p. 56. #northernireland #politics #qotd #otd
“I am not a law-breaker by nature, but I am proud to stand here with 15,000 Derry people who have broken a law which is in disrepute. I invite Mr Craig to arrest the lot of us.” —John Hume, as organiser of Derry Citizens’ Action Committee march in Derry/Londonderry, which successfully defied ban by Northern... Continue Reading →