Customer Reviews

Ballymurphy and the Irish War

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This book is a community chronicle. Let there be no doubt about that. Though it does trace the Irish conflict from the the late 60's onwards, it does so to increase the readers understanding of a particular community in an 25 year cycle of violence. Ballymurphy is an urban area in Belfast, just off the Falls Road. It is a republican area, and has been at the hub of IRA activity within Belfast city.

All too often, spectators look to the popular media for ready information. In a world where CNN and Newsweek are the information pushers to a fast fact addicted people, texts such as this will be ignored by the majority. More's the pity.

For if one ever wanted to get a glimpse of what goes on within the partisan mind, this is the place to begin. Detailing outstanding figures in the community, the author weaves local folklore from the troubles in and out of the various character studies. The outlook of the book is republican in nature, and leaves the reader in no doubt that this was a community under seige, and what was done to fight the oppressor was, in military terms, remarkable.

As a historical reference, it is useful text, giving details of the various operations carried out by the local IRA, while keeping tabs on the other republican activities within the province. The stories told give a personal dimension to the many shootings and bombings that became so monotonous to us all.

While some will pass this off as a piece of blatant propaganda, I see this book as the history of a special community. Ballymurphy has survived despite all the odds, and what odds they were. The entire might of an army was brought to bear on a fierce people, and instead of destroying them, it forged a community that could never be broken.

If you ever wondered "why", about the war in northern Ireland, this book is a good place to start.

Suggested reading:
"The Dirty War", Martin Dillon
"The Shankill Butchers", Martin Dillon
"The Troubles" Tim Pat Coogan
"INLA, Deadly Divisions", Jack Holland & Henry Mcdonald.