Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

Hostility between Catholics and Protestants in Ireland was part of a larger set of political machinations by Kings and Popes in England, Scotland, and continental Europe. Violent civil wars arose from the tensions of colonization and the different Christian religions practiced by those identifying as English or Scottish. A part of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland remains a separate political entity from the rest of Ireland. The culture of Northern Ireland has symbolized and emphasized a deliberate way of defining Protestants from Catholics. The Murals show the battles waged and the martyrs created during the ‘Troubles’ civil war. These are progressively being painted over as new generations choose to live without the reminders of the recent violent past. Music, poetry, mythology, and folklore – not to mention football – continue to be strong traditions that thrive in the 21st century.