Riots at Ardoyne

A famous flashpoint in West Belfast between Catholic and Protestant communities is Ardoyne, an area further west along the Crumlin Road. Holy Cross Church, shown above, is the primary Catholic place of worship in the area. The video below shows the height of the rioting season last July when Loyalists march toward Ardoyne under the banner of King William of Orange’s victory over Catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne staking British claim to the island in the late 17^th century.

The Crimestopper vehicles and riot police are out in full force to protect a clash between both communities.

Crumlin Road Courthouse & Gaol

The Crumlin Road is a largely protestant district north of Shankill. Although few murals are visible from the road, the area is widely recognized for two monumental buildings at its core, the Courthouse and Gaol (Jail). Sitting directly across the road from each other, these mid-19th century buildings were both designed by the famous Belfast architect, Sir Charles Lanyon. However, these buildings are abandoned examples of his work and have been the site of degradation and controversy.

The old Crumlin Courthouse has a beautiful neoclassical facade that has warn substantially during decades of disuse. Fires, natural decay, and controversy over exactly what the building would represent if re-purposed has prolonged and worsened its ruined state.

The jail across the street has fared much better despite the more disturbing past, which you can hear more about in this video. There is supposedly an underground passage that connects the two buildings. Despite the fences surrounding the property due renovation work, the building is said to be open to visitors for tour, but I was not able to get in during my adventure on a Sunday. 

Murals of North Queen's Street/Tigers Bay

Along the Eastern edge of New Lodge Road and extending further north out of Belfast is North Queen's Street. The two areas are divided by Alexandra Park which I mentioned in earlier posts as being a public park divided by a wall. That wall is  now opened during certain times to allow the communities to enjoy the entire park.

There is a high level of vacancy throughout many of these neighborhoods and the majority of that vacancy occurs along the fringe of the territories of particular religious association. The "peace walls" that divide communities often encourage a movement in each community away from the wall and toward the heart of the district.