[The Guardian] Growing up in Northern Ireland free of the Troubles – a photo essay

Growing up in Northern Ireland free of the Troubles – a photo essay

Brexit has brought back riots between pro-Irish nationalists and loyalist unionists in Northern Ireland. What keeps young people in Belfast and Derry busy and what do they think about the future now that half the population dares to dream aloud of a united Ireland? The Dutch photojournalist HJ Hunter visited them a month after most Covid restrictions were ended and spoke to them about life on both sides of the Peace Wall

Luc Baxter plays with his friends Taylor Walker and Corey Neilly in Casual Riots, Shankill’s only hard-rock band. Contrary to what the name suggests, they have no sympathy whatsoever for the rioters from their own neighbourhood. “It’s an ironic name,” says Taylor, the drummer. “We are opposed to all the violence we grew up with.”

The three musicians, all 20, were born after the 1998 peace agreement but learned in their youth that political peace had not put an end to mutual violence and hatred in Belfast. “Violence has decreased dramatically compared to the past,” Taylor says. “But it never went away.” They never took part in the riots themselves, but went to see. “Fathers of friends were arrested,” says Luc. “The worst thing I ever saw was an exploding head of someone who had been hit by a bullet. I was 11 years old then.”

Luc Baxter (left) and Corey Neilly from Casual Riots.

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Source: Growing up in Northern Ireland free of the Troubles – a photo essay

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