Perspectives

Historical perspective

The Troubles were a conflict in Northern Ireland which spanned across several decades in the 20th century, starting from late 1960s and ending with the Good Friday Agreement of 1998. The conflict was mainly political and nationalistic, fueled by historical events.

The story references The Twelfth, which is an Ulster Protestant celebration marking the beginning of the Protestant Ascendancy in Ireland. Even if they represented a minority compared to the Catholics, they gained political, economical, and social influence and control and essentially ruled Ireland from the 17th century up to the beginning of the 20th century. 

Because of the controversial nature of the Protestant Ascendancy, the 12th of July celebrations often became an occasion for violence. As suggested in the story, many Catholics in Northern Ireland see the parades as a way for Protestants to assert suprem...