Belfast Day Three
Our last day in Belfast we learned about the statistics side of the conflict. We met with two professors at Ulster University and they discussed the numbers behind the conflict, and the aftermath. What struct me the most was the suicide rate. It had been brought up throughout the week, but it's a depressingly astounding number. Some 200, 000 people are estimated to suffer from mental illnesses in relation to the troubles, while 4, 500 have taken their life since the conflict, while is 1, 000 more than died during the years of violence of the troubles. For every suicide, at least 6 people are effected, which at minimum would mean 27, 000 people have been effected by suicide loss since 1998.
We aslo discussed chaining demographics. Catholics are outstripping Protestants in Northern Ireland and a Catholic majority is predicted pretty soon. Some of the members of the protestant community seemed pretty sure that not much would change though when this would happen. They were very firm in their convictions that the Catholics would not vote for a united Ireland, but would rather stay separate as they had for decades. It will be interesting to see what happens, if anything, in the years to come with the changing demographics.
After our jaunt at the University, we were off to Stormont, which is the national assembly of Northern Ireland. We were given a tour of the house of commons there and learned of the millions of pounds that went into the creation of the assembly hall. It does not have a feeling of a serious political center, but rather feels like a royal palace on the level of versailles. The building is relatively small, with the great hall being the main feature. Up the stairs on the second floor is where the House is housed. This room is also very costly with mahogany everywhere. Currently the Northern Irish Assembly is not in session and was resolves 13 months ago after members of Sinn Fien walked out. Westminster takes care of most of the issues, but the lack of devolved government, and the fact that the members of the legislative assembly are still being paid their full salary, is causing frustration among the locals. We had the opportunity of talking with the leader of the Sinn Fein party. A few weeks before we had been able to meet with a Westminster MP who is a member of the Democratic Unionist Party (the opposition of Sin Finn). the DUP wants Northern Ireland to have more independents from Westminster, while Sinn Fein wants the reunification of Ireland. The discussions could not be more different. It was fascinating to see just how different the two sides are.
We aslo discussed chaining demographics. Catholics are outstripping Protestants in Northern Ireland and a Catholic majority is predicted pretty soon. Some of the members of the protestant community seemed pretty sure that not much would change though when this would happen. They were very firm in their convictions that the Catholics would not vote for a united Ireland, but would rather stay separate as they had for decades. It will be interesting to see what happens, if anything, in the years to come with the changing demographics.
After our jaunt at the University, we were off to Stormont, which is the national assembly of Northern Ireland. We were given a tour of the house of commons there and learned of the millions of pounds that went into the creation of the assembly hall. It does not have a feeling of a serious political center, but rather feels like a royal palace on the level of versailles. The building is relatively small, with the great hall being the main feature. Up the stairs on the second floor is where the House is housed. This room is also very costly with mahogany everywhere. Currently the Northern Irish Assembly is not in session and was resolves 13 months ago after members of Sinn Fien walked out. Westminster takes care of most of the issues, but the lack of devolved government, and the fact that the members of the legislative assembly are still being paid their full salary, is causing frustration among the locals. We had the opportunity of talking with the leader of the Sinn Fein party. A few weeks before we had been able to meet with a Westminster MP who is a member of the Democratic Unionist Party (the opposition of Sin Finn). the DUP wants Northern Ireland to have more independents from Westminster, while Sinn Fein wants the reunification of Ireland. The discussions could not be more different. It was fascinating to see just how different the two sides are.
Northern Ireland was an interesting experience. I am grateful that we were able to discuss the conflicts there in such depth and from all sides. The more I learned, the more I realized how difficult and intricate the situation really is. Peace has not been fully reached, and more work needs to be done to decrease the tensions.
Both picture below are of Storming, the outside and the great hall.
Both picture below are of Storming, the outside and the great hall.
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