Culture

Background

• Northern Ireland was established in 1920 following many years of conflict between Britain and Ireland. The Government of Ireland Act 1920 established a Parliament for Southern Ireland and a Parliament for Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Parliament was constitutionally linked to the United Kingdom and the Westminster Parliament.
  
  
• For the past 33 years life in Northern Ireland has been overshadowed by conflict between the two main communities, the Unionist Protestant community and the Nationalist Catholic Community. This conflict is often referred to as the 'Troubles'. This has resulted in rural areas and areas within towns and cities of Northern Ireland being regarded as predominantly Catholic or predominately Protestant or 'mixed' (in terms of both political and religious belief).
  
  
• These divisions are sometimes illustrated by murals (paintings) and graffiti on walls and footpaths. Many of the murals show flags and symbols and these are often the Union Jack, or Tric-colour, or names of paramilitary organisations such as the U.D.A. (Ulster Defence Association), UFF, (Ulster Freedom Fighters), IRA, (Irish Republican Army), INLA, (Irish National Liberation Army).
  
  
• During the 'Troubles' many people felt physically threatened and it was reassuring to live in a community they felt shared their beliefs. They were wary of mixing with others of different political opinion, religious beliefs and preferred the security of what they knew best and trusted most.
  (Source:adapted from www.community-relations.org.uk) 
  
  
• This process helped create a simplified view of the community. Relatively small differences, which do not divide communities elsewhere in the world, became exaggerated. Language, music, beliefs, customs and interpretation of history was used to identify people as members of one community or the other.
  
  
• However, real life in Northern Ireland is not so straightforward. No one's life is so simple that they can say they belong to only one group. People play different roles, as parents and children, men and women, Protestant and Catholic, Nationalist, Unionist or neither. Some people are able bodied, some have a disability, some are members of an ethnic
  
  
• minority, some are gay, straight, old or young. Most share many of these Identities. It is likely that as confidence increases diversity of identity will continue to grow in Northern Ireland.
  (Source:adapted from www.community-relations.org.uk)

Some Major Cultural Events in Northern Ireland.

Celtic Spring festival

• Drama and Irish language festival, Celtic rock band and set dancing on  St.Patrick's Day in Derry. 17-24 March.
  
  
• Apple Blossom Festival. An international festival linked in with the American
  
  
• Apple Festival in Winchester, Virginia - biggest in the USA. Armagh, in May. (Source:www.belfasthostel.com)
  
  
• Northern Lights Festival / Oul' Lammas Fair - major music festival, in Ballycastle, Co. Antrim in August.
  
  
• Jazz and Blues Festival. Holywood in June.
  
  
• Pipe Band Championships - All Ireland solo, piping and drumming championships. Newcastle, beginning of July.
  
  
• Fiddlers' Green Folk festival - at Rostrevor, end of July.
  
  
• Foyle Film Festival - Derry, in November.
  
  
• New Year's Eve celebrations - Belfast and other large towns in Northern Ireland.
  
  
• Belfast Festival at Queen's. Runs from the 24 th October until the 9 th November.
  
  
• The culture within Northern Ireland is becoming more diverse due to the increasing number of people from around the world who chose to settle here. This is reflected in the variety of communities, languages and faiths evident throughout Northern Ireland. This diversity enriches the traditional cultures in many ways such as diet, music, dress and language.