Ardoyne
Encyclopedia
Ardoyne is an Irish nationalist, working class and mainly Catholic
district in north Belfast
, Northern Ireland
. It gained notoriety due to the large number of incidents during "The Troubles
". It is home to approximately 20,000 inhabitants. Ardoyne is also famed as the birth-place of the President of Ireland
, Mary McAleese
née Lenaghan.
Republican paramilitary organisations have had a major influence in the area from the start of The Troubles
in 1969. The rise in popularity of the Provisional Irish Republican Army
led to more police raids in the area, usually supported by the Army. Internment
(imprisonment without trial) affected many in Ardoyne. Over the years after 1969, Provisional IRA membership in the area grew, so much so that it became one of the "no-go" areas listed by the RUC and Army, due to rising security risks and casualties suffered by the armed forces upon entering the district.
during the Orange Order's
marching season. The road is an "interface area
", where nationalist and unionist communities meet. The local nationalist community oppose what they see as a triumphalist parade through their area, while marchers state their right to "walk the Queen's highway", along their traditional route.
The Parades Commission
usually allows the march to take place. One particular cause of conflict is that, in the past, marchers have carried flags depicting Ulster Volunteer Force and Ulster Defence Association
(paramilitary terrorist organisations) banners and played loyalist songs. Another issue has been the presence and role of aggressive supporters following the march. The 2006 march agreement however determined that 'supporters' would not be allowed to march.
Since there are only two exits from the estate, residents on the opposite side of the Crumlin Road (Mountainview) are barricaded into their street by the police and Army for several hours throughout the day: in the morning when the march goes by; and in the evening when it returns. Local residents believe this to be a breach of their human rights. The Police Ombudsman
concurs with this assessment but is of the opinion that the barriers are necessary for security reasons.
Unionists have highlighted the part republican organizations have played in protests including prominent convicted IRA men such as Sean Kelly
who was arrested after violent protests during a parade.
Despite the local community group, the Ardoyne Parades Dialogue Group, and representatives of the march, the North and West Belfast Parades Forum, reaching an accommodation which imposed conditions on the march, golf balls and stones were thrown by protesters being kept back by stewards.
and the Irish famine. Paramilitary banners often depict the 1981 Irish hunger strike
, when ten Republican prisoners died from starvation during a protest to demand political status.
, and as such the club enjoys a wide following in the area. Ardoyne itself is home to Crumlin Star
, a minor club that currently plays in Northern Amateur Football League
Division 1B. Crumlin Star's social club is also a Celtic
supporters club, with the Glasgow
club enjoying strong popularity in the area and amongst the nationalist community in general.
The Gaelic Athletic Association
is also represented in the area through local club Ardoyne Kickhams, who are affiliated to the Antrim GAA
.
musical acts, including the Wolfe Tones
. The offices for the event are based in Herbert Street in the area.
' novel No Bones takes place. In this novel she describes a girl growing up in Ardoyne during the Troubles.
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
district in north Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. It gained notoriety due to the large number of incidents during "The Troubles
The Troubles
The Troubles was a period of ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland which spilled over at various times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast...
". It is home to approximately 20,000 inhabitants. Ardoyne is also famed as the birth-place of the President of Ireland
President of Ireland
The President of Ireland is the head of state of Ireland. The President is usually directly elected by the people for seven years, and can be elected for a maximum of two terms. The presidency is largely a ceremonial office, but the President does exercise certain limited powers with absolute...
, Mary McAleese
Mary McAleese
Mary Patricia McAleese served as the eighth President of Ireland from 1997 to 2011. She was the second female president and was first elected in 1997 succeeding Mary Robinson, making McAleese the world's first woman to succeed another as president. She was re-elected unopposed for a second term in...
née Lenaghan.
The Troubles
The Troubles was a period of ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland which spilled over at various times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast...
in 1969. The rise in popularity of the Provisional Irish Republican Army
Provisional Irish Republican Army
The Provisional Irish Republican Army is an Irish republican paramilitary organisation whose aim was to remove Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom and bring about a socialist republic within a united Ireland by force of arms and political persuasion...
led to more police raids in the area, usually supported by the Army. Internment
Internment
Internment is the imprisonment or confinement of people, commonly in large groups, without trial. The Oxford English Dictionary gives the meaning as: "The action of 'interning'; confinement within the limits of a country or place." Most modern usage is about individuals, and there is a distinction...
(imprisonment without trial) affected many in Ardoyne. Over the years after 1969, Provisional IRA membership in the area grew, so much so that it became one of the "no-go" areas listed by the RUC and Army, due to rising security risks and casualties suffered by the armed forces upon entering the district.
1979
- 5 January - Two members of the Provisional Irish Republican ArmyProvisional Irish Republican ArmyThe Provisional Irish Republican Army is an Irish republican paramilitary organisation whose aim was to remove Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom and bring about a socialist republic within a united Ireland by force of arms and political persuasion...
, Francis Donnelly (24) and Lawrence Montgomery (24), were killed in Northwick Drive, Ardoyne, when the car bomb they were transporting exploded prematurely.
Crumlin Road
Violence often occurs on the Crumlin RoadCrumlin Road
The Crumlin Road is a main road in north-west Belfast, Northern Ireland. The road runs from north of Belfast City Centre for about four miles to the outskirts of the city. It also forms part of the longer A52 road.-Lower Crumlin Road:...
during the Orange Order's
Orange Institution
The Orange Institution is a Protestant fraternal organisation based mainly in Northern Ireland and Scotland, though it has lodges throughout the Commonwealth and United States. The Institution was founded in 1796 near the village of Loughgall in County Armagh, Ireland...
marching season. The road is an "interface area
Interface area
Interface area is the name given to areas where segregated nationalist and unionist residential areas meet in Northern Ireland. They have been defined as "the intersection of segregated and polarised working class residential zones, in areas with a strong link betweenterritory and ethno-political...
", where nationalist and unionist communities meet. The local nationalist community oppose what they see as a triumphalist parade through their area, while marchers state their right to "walk the Queen's highway", along their traditional route.
The Parades Commission
Parades Commission
The Parades Commission is a quasi-judicial non-departmental public body responsible for placing restrictions on or banning outright any parades in Northern Ireland it deems contentious or offensive. It is composed of seven members, all of whom are appointed by the Secretary of State for Northern...
usually allows the march to take place. One particular cause of conflict is that, in the past, marchers have carried flags depicting Ulster Volunteer Force and Ulster Defence Association
Ulster Defence Association
The Ulster Defence Association is the largest although not the deadliest loyalist paramilitary and vigilante group in Northern Ireland. It was formed in September 1971 and undertook a campaign of almost twenty-four years during "The Troubles"...
(paramilitary terrorist organisations) banners and played loyalist songs. Another issue has been the presence and role of aggressive supporters following the march. The 2006 march agreement however determined that 'supporters' would not be allowed to march.
Since there are only two exits from the estate, residents on the opposite side of the Crumlin Road (Mountainview) are barricaded into their street by the police and Army for several hours throughout the day: in the morning when the march goes by; and in the evening when it returns. Local residents believe this to be a breach of their human rights. The Police Ombudsman
Police Ombudsman
The Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland is a non-departmental public body intended to provide an independent, impartial police complaints system for the people and police under the Police Acts of 1998 and 2000.-Personnel:...
concurs with this assessment but is of the opinion that the barriers are necessary for security reasons.
Unionists have highlighted the part republican organizations have played in protests including prominent convicted IRA men such as Sean Kelly
Sean Kelly (IRA bomber)
Sean Kelly, is a former volunteer in the Belfast Brigade of the Provisional Irish Republican Army , who was a member of the active service unit which carried out the Shankill Road bombing in 1993.-Shankill Road bomb:...
who was arrested after violent protests during a parade.
Despite the local community group, the Ardoyne Parades Dialogue Group, and representatives of the march, the North and West Belfast Parades Forum, reaching an accommodation which imposed conditions on the march, golf balls and stones were thrown by protesters being kept back by stewards.
Holy Cross dispute
In 2001, increased incidents of violence were experienced when Loyalists used violence to prevent children attending Holy Cross Girls' School access to one of the two entrances to their school which was located in the Protestant area at the top of the Ardoyne Road (Glenbryn). Some of the children were as young as four years of age.Ardoyne's murals
Belfast is filled with areas depicting many murals of various topics, most often about the historic events of the past which include persecution by the British. Ardoyne mainly has murals to depict history, Irish traditions and important dates in Irish history, such as the 1916 Easter RisingEaster Rising
The Easter Rising was an insurrection staged in Ireland during Easter Week, 1916. The Rising was mounted by Irish republicans with the aims of ending British rule in Ireland and establishing the Irish Republic at a time when the British Empire was heavily engaged in the First World War...
and the Irish famine. Paramilitary banners often depict the 1981 Irish hunger strike
1981 Irish hunger strike
The 1981 Irish hunger strike was the culmination of a five-year protest during The Troubles by Irish republican prisoners in Northern Ireland. The protest began as the blanket protest in 1976, when the British government withdrew Special Category Status for convicted paramilitary prisoners...
, when ten Republican prisoners died from starvation during a protest to demand political status.
Sport
Football is a widely played and followed sport in the area. Ardoyne is close to the home ground of Irish Football League club CliftonvilleCliftonville F.C.
Cliftonville Football & Athletic Club is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Founded on 20 September 1879 by John McCredy McAlery in the suburb of Cliftonville in north Belfast, it is the oldest football club in Ireland and celebrated its 130th...
, and as such the club enjoys a wide following in the area. Ardoyne itself is home to Crumlin Star
Crumlin Star F.C.
Crumlin Star Football Club is a Northern Irish football club playing in Division 1B of the Northern Amateur Football League.-External links:* * -...
, a minor club that currently plays in Northern Amateur Football League
Northern Amateur Football League
The Northern Amateur Football League, also known as the Northern Amateur League and often simply as the Amateur League, is an association football league in Northern Ireland. It contains 13 divisions...
Division 1B. Crumlin Star's social club is also a Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
supporters club, with the Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
club enjoying strong popularity in the area and amongst the nationalist community in general.
The Gaelic Athletic Association
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
is also represented in the area through local club Ardoyne Kickhams, who are affiliated to the Antrim GAA
Antrim GAA
The Antrim County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Antrim GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Antrim. The county board is also responsible for the Antrim inter-county teams...
.
Music
The area is home to the annual "Ard Eoin Fleadh Cheoil" (Ardoyne Music Festival). The festival attracts some of the most famous IrishFolk music of Ireland
The folk music of Ireland is the generic term for music that has been created in various genres in Ireland.-History:...
musical acts, including the Wolfe Tones
Wolfe Tones
The Wolfe Tones are an Irish rebel music band who incorporate elements of Irish traditional music in their songs. They are named after the Irish rebel and patriot Theobald Wolfe Tone, one of the leaders of the Irish Rebellion of 1798, with the double entendre that a wolf tone is a spurious sound...
. The offices for the event are based in Herbert Street in the area.
Ardoyne in popular culture
Ardoyne is the setting in which Anna BurnsAnna Burns
Anna Burns is an Irish author. She was born in Belfast and moved to London in 1987. Her first novel, No Bones, is an account of a girl's life growing up in Belfast during the Troubles.-Awards:*Winner of the 2001 Winifred Holtby Memorial Prize...
' novel No Bones takes place. In this novel she describes a girl growing up in Ardoyne during the Troubles.