Year: 2015
Type: article
Abstract: Healing Through Art: An Examination of Northern Ireland's 'Troubles'In the span of three decades, Northern Ireland went through a great period of violence referred to as 'The Troubles'.Beginning in 1968 and lasting until the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, this was a time of political unrest, civil discrimination, and a war between paramilitary groups belonging to two denominations of Christianity.Although the Troubles spanned almost half a century, the conflict between the Protestants and Catholics began centuries prior, with the oppression of the Catholic natives of Ireland.Examined in this paper is the history of The Troubles, the psychological impact on the citizens, and the use of murals as not only a call to action, but as means for healing.For many, Ireland's Troubles didn't begin with the change of the millennia, it can be traced back centuries, many of which are filled with the oppression of the Catholics.In the 17th century, Ireland was taken over by William III of England, or William of Orange as he is often called, after the overthrowing of his cousin James who was reigning the country under Catholicism.William III sought to make the country Protestant withEngland and Scotland through suppressing the people's ability to practice their Catholic faith through penal codes and forced conversion (BBC, 2007).Those who did not abide by the new laws or were unwilling to give up their previous values would be persecuted by English militant Oliver Cromwell.Many Catholics were also stripped of their lands and assets during this time (which were then given to English Protestants) and were forced to follow the faith and teachings of the English-Protestant ruler (BBC, 2007).There would be many battles and amends made in the years to follow, however, it was the Celtic Arts Revival that helps inspire the Irish throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.
Author: Alexis Dunn Amore
Language: English
Topic: Irish and British Studies
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3024563108