During The Northern Ireland ‘Troubles’

By Dianne Kirby, Trinity College Dublin (2021) – The Journal of Social Encounter: Vol 5: Iss.2, 31-45

In her introduction to this article Dianne Kirby writes:
The focus of this essay is on the critical and various roles, still largely unrecognised, played by religious women during the conflict in Northern Ireland. Working at the margins of society rather than in the corridors of power, they made important contributions to peace-building that ranged from grass-roots activism to secret talks. As well as contributing to the crucial work of community groups, educating the young and tending to the old, religious women established innovative and independent organisations offering succour and support to victims of the ‘Troubles’. Motivated by faith, they adhered to a value system that eschewed the violence, fear and intimidation…  At crucial points in the peace process, their interventions helped accelerate and promote peace-building. Theirs was a quiet presence that mattered and made a difference.    (Dianne Kirby)

In her conclusion to this interesting, inspiring and informative article the author writes:
During the Troubles religious women exemplified how religion functions more effectively at the margins of society than in the corridors of power. Their neglect is a potent reminder that the contested history of the Troubles still derives from a narrow, select range of voices. The challenges of a post-conflict society require an honest engagement with the past that eschews the blame-game and explores grassroots creativity, adaptation amidst chaos and crisis to pursue participatory democracy, working-class attainment, community empowerment, women’s emancipation, justice, equality and freedom from fear and violence. A part of that process, religious women constantly emphasised that peace building starts from below, is community driven and that the significance of working-class women cannot be overestimated. 

To read the article in full, please click here.

 

Communications