Project Type
individual
Authors' Class Standing
Sean E Herman, Senior
Lead Presenter's Name
Sean E Herman
Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Amy Grubb
Abstract
Since the 1998 Belfast Agreement, the peace process in Northern Ireland has seen mixed success. One area that has seen less success is the disputes over Unionist parades. The majority of the routes used for Orange Order parades remain undisputed, but tensions arise in interface areas, where Republican neighborhoods connect with those of the Loyalists. Even though these parades have been conducted since the 1800s, they have not been contested until recently. The reasons for the creation of disputes could be political leverage or financial gain for certain community groups and political parties. By examining the case study of the historic dispute surrounding the Drumcree parade in Portadown that began in 1986, interviewing academics who are subject matter experts, and utilizing archival data, this project will analyze the recent and ongoing parade dispute in the Ardoyne area of Belfast to understand how this and future disputes disrupt the peace process.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
Yes, Ignite Grant
Parade Disputes in Northern Ireland: Roadblocks on the Path to a Lasting Peace
Since the 1998 Belfast Agreement, the peace process in Northern Ireland has seen mixed success. One area that has seen less success is the disputes over Unionist parades. The majority of the routes used for Orange Order parades remain undisputed, but tensions arise in interface areas, where Republican neighborhoods connect with those of the Loyalists. Even though these parades have been conducted since the 1800s, they have not been contested until recently. The reasons for the creation of disputes could be political leverage or financial gain for certain community groups and political parties. By examining the case study of the historic dispute surrounding the Drumcree parade in Portadown that began in 1986, interviewing academics who are subject matter experts, and utilizing archival data, this project will analyze the recent and ongoing parade dispute in the Ardoyne area of Belfast to understand how this and future disputes disrupt the peace process.