Reconciliation in Northern Ireland

Dr Gladys Ganiel

+44 (0) 28 9037 3988

Course Overview

This course analyses the origins and dynamics of the conflict in Northern Ireland with a view to assessing the prospects for peace and reconciliation. It examines the colonial, economic, religious, and ethno-nationalist dimensions of the conflict; as well as nationalist, unionist, and women’s perspectives. The continuing tendencies for conflict are examined. The course includes a ‘community-based’ or ‘service learning’ component in which students are expected to relate their experiences in voluntary organisations to materials covered in class and on the course website,

Students will be expected to participate actively in class discussions and on the course’s web-based forum.

Key Texts

A number of readings are provided in the course folder in the library. Some of these also may be accessed through the Trinity library website or the course website. There are several books that are important to the course, which it is recommended that you read in full over the term.

The first three recommended texts attempt to explain the Northern Ireland conflict. Two of these pre-date the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement (McGarry & O’Leary; and Ruane & Todd). They offer competing (but in some cases complementary) analyses of the causes of the conflict and are considered ‘classics’ in the study of Northern Ireland. The third (Liechty & Clegg) is the product of the Irish School of Ecumenics’ ‘Moving Beyond Sectarianism’ project and provides perspective on the causes of conflict (especially the relationship of religion to the conflict), as well as what can be done to transform it. This text also will be used next term in the course, ‘Conflict Transformation.’

  • McGarry, John and Brendan O’Leary, 1995. Explaining Northern Ireland, Blackwell: Oxford
  • Ruane, Joseph and Jennifer Todd, 1996. Dynamics of Conflict in Northern Ireland, CambridgeUniversity Press: Cambridge
  • Liechty, Joseph and Cecelia Clegg, 2001. Moving Beyond Sectarianism, Columba: Dublin

These texts provide more up-to-date information on the state of conflict, reconciliation, and democracy in Northern Ireland:

  • Wilford, Rick, Robin Wilson and Kathleen Claussen, 2007, Power to the People: Assessing Democracy in Northern Ireland, TASC at New Island: Dublin
  • Wilford, Rick and Robin Wilson, 2006, The Trouble with Northern Ireland: The Belfast Agreement and Democratic Governance, TASC at New Island: Dublin
  • Farrington, Christopher, ed. 2008, Global Change, Civil Society and the Northern Ireland Peace Process, Basingstoke: Palgrave
  • Edwards, Aaron & Bloomer, Stephen, eds. 2008, Transforming the Peace Process in Northern Ireland: From Terrorism to Democratic Politics, Dublin: Irish Academic Press

Other useful general texts are:

  • Coulter, Colin. 1999. Contemporary Northern Irish Society, London: Pluto Press
  • Tonge, Jon. 2002. Northern Ireland: Conflict and Change, London: Prentice Hall

For a brief overview of the conflict, an easy and accessible read is Marc Mulholland’s Northern Ireland: A Very Short Introduction, 2003, Oxford University Press

Course Goals – upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

  • Understand the causes of the conflict in Northern Ireland (this should include the ability to critically analyse the merits of different perspectives on the causes of the conflict in Northern Ireland)
  • Understand processes of change leading up to the 1998 Belfast Agreement
  • Evaluate the negotiation and implementation of the 1998 Belfast Agreement
  • Evaluate the contributions of civil society to the peace process
  • Analyse the continuing tendencies for conflict in ‘post-conflict’ Northern Ireland and assess the prospects for reconciliation
  • Through community-based learning, to understand the current role of civil society groups (more specific goals and objectives related to community-based learning are outlined below)

Community-Based Learning Component

The community-based learning component of the course is designed to help you connect what you are learning through real-world experiences in reconciliation work with what you are learning in the classroom. If you already work for a non-governmental organisation, we hope that the community-based learning component of the course will help you to reflect on what you do, share those experiences with others, and enhance your work. If you do not already work for an organisation, you may be ‘matched’ with one of our partner organisations. We hope that the community-based learning component of the course will help you understand what it is like to engage in reconciliation work in a post-conflict society and build practical peacebuilding and reconciliation skills.

All students – whether or not you choose to work in an organisation – are expected to engage in the community-based learning process with us. Students are encouraged to think of their community-based learning experiences and those of other students as ‘texts’ that can be read and shared with others. We will all engage in an on-going process of reflection about how those ‘texts’ relate to academic analyses of Northern Ireland. This process will be facilitated by use of the course website, which includes a discussion forum. A week prior to each class session, a ‘focus question’ for the next session will be posted on the forum. Students will be expected to post a response to the focus question (of at least 250 words) by 4 p.m. on the Wednesday before class. Students are expected to read these responses prior to class, as they will inform our discussions. Students also are expected to make presentations about their community-based learning experiences in weeks designated in the syllabus. (Students who do not choose the community-based learning option will be required to make a presentation, on a designated focus question.)

The community-based learning component should help you to reach these course goals:

  • Building practical reconciliation skills through work on-the-ground
  • Learning how to engage in ‘reflective practice’
  • Understanding how to connect ‘theory’ from the classroom with ‘practice’ in various organisations

Students who choose the community-based learning option may answer an essay question based on their experiences.

Field Trips and Opportunities

In addition to your community based learning placements, the course includes a number of opportunities to learn in the community. These include:

  • Visit to Rev. Ian Paisley’s Martyrs Memorial Free Presbyterian Church (Sunday evening service of 11 Oct., to be confirmed)
  • West Belfast tours by political ex-prisoners, Thurs. 29 Oct.
  • Monthly lectures in the IrishSchool of Ecumenics’ Public Theology Initiative (usually Wednesday mornings)
  • Trip to Bloody Sunday weekend in Derry, end of January (dates tbc)
  • Summer School on Loyalism and 12th of July Parades (9-12 July 2010)

We also will keep you posted on relevant talks and events happening throughout the year, as they arise.

Week 1 (Oct. 1): Introduction and Overview of the Course

Discussion Topics:

No Focus Question This Week!

  • Historical overview of the conflict
  • Overview of community-based learning (service learning as ‘text’ and its relationship to understanding reconciliation)
  • Introduction to community-based learning opportunities in Northern Ireland

Key Texts (Introductory):

  • Liechty and Clegg, 2001, Moving Beyond Sectarianism, chapter 2 [in folder]
  • McGarry and O’Leary, 1995, Explaining Northern Ireland
  • Ruane and Todd, 1996, Dynamics of Conflict in Northern Ireland, chapters 1-2 [in folder]
  • Ivan Illich, 1999. ‘To Hell with Good Intentions,’ in Barber and Battistoni, eds., Education for Democracy, Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company: Dubuque, Iowa[in folder]
  • John McKnight, 1999. ‘Why “Servanthood” is Bad,’ in Barber and Battistoni, eds., Education for Democracy, Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company: Dubuque, Iowa[in folder]

Week 2 (Oct. 8): Causes of the Conflict (colonial and economic explanations)

Focus Question: Many commentators have explained the conflict in Northern Ireland in terms of colonialism and/or economic inequalities. In terms of your organisation’s work, does it deal with any legacies of colonialism or economic inequalities?

Discussion Topics:

  • Evaluate internal and external explanations of the conflict, including colonial and economic explanations

Key Texts:

  • McGarry and O’Leary, 1995, Explaining Northern Ireland, Introduction, chapters 1-4 [chapter 1 in folder]
  • Whyte, John, 1990, Interpreting Northern Ireland, Clarendon Press

Week 3 (Oct. 15, 2008): Causes of the Conflict (ethno-national and religious explanations)

Focus Questions: Think about the organisation in which you work. Is it dealing with ethnic, national or religious differences? If it is, are these effective ways of approaching reconciliation in Northern Ireland? If it is not, why do you think it is not?

Discussion Topics:

  • Evaluate ethno-national interpretations of the conflict
  • Evaluate religious interpretations of the conflict

Key Texts:

  • Ruane and Todd, 1996, Dynamics of Conflict in Northern Ireland, chapters 5-7
  • McGarry and O’Leary, 1995, Explaining Northern Ireland, chapters 5-7
  • Mitchell, Claire, 2006, Religion, Identity and Politics in Northern Ireland[in folder]
  • Liechty and Clegg, 2001, Moving Beyond Sectarianism, chapter 3 [in folder]
  • Steve Bruce, 2007, Paisley: Religion and Politics in Northern Ireland, Oxford: OxfordUniversity Press
  • Graham Spencer, 2009, ‘Free Presbyterianism and Political Change in Northern Ireland,’ Irish Political Studies, 24(3), pp. 321-336.

Week 4 (Oct. 22, 2008): Nationalism, Republicanism and Change

Focus Questions: Reflect on the components that make up nationalist and republican identities. To what extent does your own personal identity include (or not!) any of those components? Does your identity impact on your ability to interact with people with nationalist/republican identities within your organisation or the community?

Discussion Topics:

  • Evaluate changes in nationalism/republicanism
  • Explore the relationship between changes in nationalism/republicanism and the peace process

Key Text:

  • Richard English, 2009, Terrorism: How to Respond, Oxford, Oxford University Press, chapter 3 [in folder]
  • Todd 1999, in Ruane and Todd, After the Good Friday Agreement [in folder]
  • Jonathan Tonge, 2002, ‘Nationalist and Republican politics’ in Northern Ireland: Conflict and Change, Essex: Pearson Education [in folder]

Seminar Session: Reflecting on the Workshop, ‘Auditing Ireland’s Religious Diversity.’ What issues do the survey results raise for reconciliation in Northern Ireland?

Week 5 (Oct. 29): WEST BELFAST FIELD TRIP

This day includes walking tours of West Belfast by republican and loyalist political ex-prisoners. We will meet between 10-10.15 a.m. at Gladys’ house, 21 Crocus Street (off the lower Springfield Road) for tea/coffee. We will walk from there to start the republican tour with Coiste at 11 a.m. (or you may meet us there at 11 a.m.) (cost £8). This tour will last about 3 hours and will be followed by a pub lunch (bring £ for lunch). The loyalist tour will be in the afternoon and will last about 1 ½ hours (cost tbc).

Week 6 (Nov. 5): Women and Reconciliation with Dr Cathy Higgins & Dr Johnston McMaster, Education for Reconciliation, ISE

Focus Questions: Are women natural peacemakers? What contribution can women now make to reconciliation and peacebuilding in Northern Ireland?

Discussion Topics:

  • Women and the politics of violence in Ireland:
  • Loyalist women in the 20th Century
  • Republican women in the 20th Century
  • Women and Violence in Northern Ireland since 1969
  • Women as Reconcilers
  • Baroness May Blood
  • President Mary McAleese
  • Mary Robinson

Background Reading (additional reading may be announced prior to class):

  • Side, Katherine. 2009. ‘Women’s Civil and Political Citizenship in the Post-Good Friday Agreement Period in Northern Ireland,’ Irish Political Studies, 24(1), pp. 67-87 [in folder]
  • Little, A. 2004, Democracy and Northern Ireland, chapter 6 [in folder]
  • McCoy, G. 2000. ‘Women, Community and Politics in Northern Ireland,’ in Roulston and Davies, eds, Gender, Democracy and Inclusion in Northern Ireland, London: Palgrave [in folder]
  • Fearon, K. and M. McWilliams, 2000. ‘Swimming Against the Mainstream: the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition,’ in Roulston and Davies, eds, Gender, Democracy and Inclusion in Northern Ireland, London: Palgrave [in folder]

Seminar Session: Debriefing and Discussion of West Belfast Tour

Week 7 (Nov. 12) Study Week

Week 8 (Nov. 19) Unionism, Loyalism and Change

Focus Questions: Reflect on the components that make up unionist and loyalist identities. To what extent does your own personal identity include (or not!) any of those components? Does your identity impact on your ability to interact with people with unionist/loyalist identities within your organisation or the community?

Discussion Topics:

  • Evaluate changes in unionism/loyalism
  • Explore the relationship between changes in unionism/loyalism and the peace process

Key Texts:

  • Jon Tonge, 2002. Northern Ireland: Conflict and Change, [chapter 4 in folder]
  • Farrington, C. 2006. Ulster Unionism and the Peace Process in Northern Ireland, Palgrave [chapter 5 in folder]

Seminar Session: ‘Local’ students present on their community-based organisations, congregations, practical experiences.

Key Text: Wilson, Robin. 2006. ‘What works for reconciliation?’ Shared Space, Issue 3 [in folder]

Focus Questions: How does your organisation approach issues of reconciliation? Evaluate the strengths and limitations of its approach.

Week 9 (Nov. 26): Celtic Christianity as a Resource for Reconciliation, Dr Johnston McMaster, Education for Reconciliation, ISE (tbc)

Key Text:

  • McMaster, Johnston, 2008, A Passion for Justice: Social Ethics in the Celtic Tradition, Edinburgh, Dunedin, chapters 15-16 [in folder]

Week 10 (Dec. 3): The Churches and Reconciliation

Focus Questions: Can the churches in Northern Ireland contribute to reconciliation? If your organisation operates from a church or faith-based perspective, please draw on specific examples from your work.

Discussion Topics:

  • How can the churches engage the process of reconciliation?
  • Is it necessary for the churches to engage in reconciliation?

Key Texts:

  • Brewer, John. ‘Religion and Peace?’ 2009,l interview in Network, Issue 102, pp.10-11 [in folder]
  • Brewer, John. ‘Northern Ireland: Peacemaking among Protestants and Catholics,’ in Cejka and Bamat, eds., 2003, Artisans of Peace: Grassroots Peacemaking Among Christian Communities, MaryknollNY: Orbis Books [in folder]
  • Ganiel, Gladys and Paul Dixon. 2008. ‘Religion, Pragmatic Fundamentalism and the Transformation of the Northern Ireland Conflict,’ Journal of Peace Research, 45(3): pp. 419-436. [in folder]
  • Appleby, Scott, The Ambivalence of the Sacred, Rowman and Littlefield, chapter 5
  • Wells, 1999, People behind the Peace: Community and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans
  • Ganiel, Gladys, 2008,Evangelicalism and Conflict in Northern Ireland, New York: Palgrave [chapter 6 in folder]
  • Power, Maria, 2007, From Ecumenism to Community Relations, Dublin: Irish Academic Press

Week 11 (Dec. 10) Issues in Post-Conflict Transition I: Policing, Parading, and Ex-Prisoners

This session will be organised in a workshop format. You will be assigned one of the three readings prior to class. As you read, ask yourselves the following questions:

  • What problem(s) does the author(s) identify?
  • Does the author(s) think any progress has been made in addressing those problems? If so, give specific examples.
  • What recommendations does the author(s) make for addressing these problems? Explain why you agree or disagree.

In the first part of class, you will discuss these questions in small groups. You will then report back to the larger group. You are not required to respond to a focus question on the website this week, but you may wish to use the forum for discussion with your group prior to class.

Key Texts:

  • Ryan, Barry J. 2008, ‘Northern Ireland’s District Policing Partnerships and the Participatory Ideal,’ Irish Political Studies, 23(3): pp. 341-362[in folder]
  • O’Kelly, Ciaran & Dominic Bryan, 2008. ‘The Regulation of Public Space in Northern Ireland,’ Irish Political Studies, 22(4): pp. 565-584[in folder]
  • Mitchell, Claire, 2008. ‘The Limits of Legitimacy: Former Loyalist Combatants and Peace-Building in Northern Ireland, Irish Political Studies, 23(1): pp. 1-19[in folder]

Seminar Session: Student Presentations on Community Based Learning

Focus Questions: How does your organisation approach issues of reconciliation? Evaluate the strengths and limitations of its approach.

If you have not been working in an organisation, read the ‘Shared Future’ document. (available on-line What are the strengths and limitations of this document?

Week 12 (Dec. 17): Issues in Post-Conflict Transition II: Evaluating the Quality of Northern Ireland’s Democracy

Focus Questions: Is Northern Ireland democratic? What could be done to improve the quality of democracy in Northern Ireland?

Discussion Topics:

  • The ‘democratic deficit’ in Northern Ireland
  • The disenfranchised: including victims, the poor and the apathetic (i.e. ‘garden centre unionists’)

Key Texts:

  • Wilford, Rick, Robin Wilson and Kathleen Claussen, 2007, Power to the People: Assessing Democracy in Northern Ireland, TASC at New Island: Dublin
  • Coakley, John, 2009, ‘The Political Consequences of the Electoral System in Northern Ireland,’ Irish Political Studies, 24(3), pp. 253-284 [in folder]
  • McBride, Cillian, 2008. ‘Identity, Unity, and the Limits of Democracy,’ Irish Political Studies, 22(4): pp. 585-608 [in folder]
  • Little, Adrian, 2004, Democracy and Northern Ireland: Beyond the Liberal Paradigm? Palgrave: Basingstoke
  • Farrington, Christopher, ed. 2008, Global Change, Civil Society and the Northern Ireland Peace Process, Palgrave: Basingstoke
  • Jarman, Neil. 2008. ‘Security and Segregation: Interface Barriers in Belfast,’ Shared Space, Issue 6[in folder]
  • Hamilton, Jennifer, John Bell and Ulf Hansson. 2008. ‘Segregation and Sectarianism: Impact on Everyday Life,’ Shared Space, Issue 6[in folder]
  • Radford, Katy and Sara Templer, 2008. ‘Women and Relationships: Experiences from the ‘Victims’ Sector,’ Shared Space, Issue 6[in folder]

Recommended Reading for July Summer School

  • Byrne, Jonny and Caroline Wilson. 2007. ‘Eleventh Night Bonfires: Managing and Exploring Issues Around Cultural Diversity and Good Relations,’ Shared Space, Issue 4 [in folder]
  • Orr, Philip. 2008. ‘New Loyalties: Christian Faith and the Protestant Working Class,’ Belfast: Centre for Contemporary Christianity
  • Kaufmann, Eric. 2007. The Orange Order: A Contemporary Northern Irish History, Oxford: OxfordUniversity Press
  • Edwards, Ruth Dudley. 2000. The Faithful Tribe: An Intimate Portrait of the Loyal Institutions, London: HarperCollins

Select Bibliography (by Topic)

For dictionaries and chronologies of the conflict:

  • Bew and Gillespie, 1993, Northern Ireland: A chronology of the Troubles, Dublin: Gill and Macmillan
  • Bew and Gillespie, 1996, The Northern Ireland Peace Process, 1993-96, A Chronology, London: Serif
  • Flackes and Elliott,1994, Northern Ireland: A Political Directory, Belfast: Blakcstaff

For overviews: