A Piece of Shankill Road History in the mid Seventies

A video depicting the life and times of people and politicians in the mid seventies on the Shankill Road, Belfast. Some notable political figures along with those connected to the UDA and UVF paramilitary forces. This is extracted from a VHS copy which I rescued from a builders skip and restored. There were no titles at the beginning or credits at the end so if anyone can name the producer please let me know. Worth preserving if only to remember how people lived not too long ago.

[@bumblebeejimmy]

Wow, this is an amazing piece of socio-economic & political history. Providing an insight into a section of the Shankill Road community during an incredibly tense & uncertain period during the early days of the Troubles. Thanks so much for this upload, a thoroughly enjoyable & educational piece of film.

[@JohnMcMahon.]

Hello VygerFlix, thanks for uploading this and saving it from the skip. The copy you found could well have been the last... The film was titled simply (Shankill Road) depicting the Protestant, Unionist community in Belfast and was produced in 1976 by RTE's Pat O'Connor, who's voice you can hear in the film.. It was released in 1977 and was shown at the National Film Theatre in London in 1980...... As far as I am aware, the film was not aired on terrestrial TV in UK or Ireland... My guess is that a Shankill resident who featured in the film has been sent a copy by Pat O'Connor (UDA/UVF would've demanded a copy anyway) and a few copies were probably floating about the Shankill for a while until they were forgot about, then binned with the rest of the old VHS tapes....... I think you've saved a very rare piece of film.

[@gerrymac651]

Everywhere looked a bit like that in the 70s TBH,although Belfast had the troubles to contend with.I think that film should be shown to young people these days,as it may help them see,how lucky/easy life is nowadays,and that there was hope then,and there should be hope now.

[@mickigoe]

Well done VygerFlix on your great piece of restoration here. This is an RTE documentary .... but you probably know that. Thanks for sharing this excellent primary source historical document.

[@mattburgess8483]

wow surprised to see my great grand parents 13 mins in I wasn't even born bless them may rest in peace miss them both so nice to watch.

[@sarahmiller4734]

That is insane!! Get yourself a lottery ticket mate, as the odds look good.

[@ariaacheson201]

​@@sarahmiller4734hit yourself a slap... And again you parasite!

[@MrSeamy80]

WOW. Amazing footage and interviews! Never seen this video. A must see for all Greater Shankill residents home and abroad G

[@freemindthinkerezrapound5071]

In all of the troubles that started that priest at 706 hit the nail on the head spot on 💯 he is the men all communicatys need

[@harpo7226]

That’s heartbreaking. Great video thanks for posting.

[@raygov]

This is a very good video because it shows that the people of Belfast could see that,the Troubles could be brought to an end. If the same good sense which they had in abundance, had been used by the leaders,of that time. my heart was moved with great sadness to think that it took many years to pass for this good logic to be used,to great effect. I am a victim of the troubles,and got a lovely letter sent me, by the pastor of the Shankill Road Gospel Hall,the Rev. Donlop .who lived across the road from the shop in which was shot, He was a lovely man whom I spoke to often,when I chanced to meet him,as he walked around his parish.

[@Puppy-ew4be]

The Troubles, rather like the Cold War are far from over.

[@paulbrowne5049]

Fantastic bit of footage of Belfast in the darkest days of the troubles. Thank you for uploading. It gives a brief glimpse of the environment working class people of the supposed favoured side endured. Practically every street in the footage has now been obliterated under the wrecking ball of progress. I was particularly impressed by the views articulated by the interviewees completely at odds to the knuckle dragging mongoloids of todays so-called loyalists.

[@clp91009]

Looking back on it the catholic and protestant working class had more that united them then divided them. Its a pity that they didn’t unite to overthrow the ruling elite and push for better conditions for everyone. A squandered opportunity in hindsight.

[@biggusunitus]

This comment here. On the money.

[@GaraGambini]

That’s why the IRA infiltrated the Civil Rights Movement, they never could afford the working class coming together. They needed to create division and hatred to further their cause.

[@tomconnolly9895]

It's what the British do, divide and conquer. They pit the working classes against each other so that they don't band together to overthrow them. During the 1798 Rebellion Protestants and Catholics fought side by side for an independent Ireland. This terrified the British establishment so they sowed the seeds of sectarianism that still plagues us today.

[@spacetragedy]

Cheers for the upload. It's great we can access these little gems thanks to youtube.

[@VygerFlix]

I'm sad to see that bigotry, intolerance and sometimes hatred still exist in many people and whilst I embrace free speech I must delete comments that are abusive. This is a social history, if you want to only see the religious divide then I can tell you life was not better for the working class people of the Falls Road a few hundred yards away. There were thugs on both sides in Ireland, we should all know there are thugs and radicals in every religion and culture the planet, for goodness sake take the blinkers off, educate yourself and be thankful we no longer live is such squalor and fear.

[@ronniemcquitty6082]

The open air meeting was lead by assistant Pastor David Mcilroy and a number of congregation from Bethshane Tabernacle

[@VygerFlix]

Whilst this video is a snapshot of the past it is no celebration of the past. It is sad to see that occasional posters appear to have come right out of that past and have not moved on or tried to understand all sides.Whilst I am all for free speech this is not a platform for religious bigotry. I have often thought of removing the video but then the small minded people win so instead I will remove such comments and ban the posters instead.

[@grantmarshall3026]

Very interesting. I'm a Catholic,as is my wife. Her grandfather came from the shankill road. He married a Catholic but remained staunchly protestant, even though the kids were raised Catholic. Incidentally, when I researched her family history,they were classed as Irish speakers. I know little else but this is fascinating. My great grandfather was a gunrunner for the uvf ,but I have members of my family and my wife's family who are Catholic bigots who forget their history. I once was visiting a friend of mine in East Belfast. We went for a pint and bumped into David Ervine no less. My mother always said how much she admired how articulately he spoke. Him and I had a good yarn, and the drink flowed. He ensured my safety when some shadier looking tattooed characters came in! Bigots-remember we've moved on. I've always chastised the anti protestant rhetoric I hear from Catholics with protestant heritage. Maybe they had prominent roles in procuring guns from the uvf, like my great grandfather

[@Puppy-ew4be]

It's called free speech. Stop sanitising people's comments just because you don't like them.

[@victorbreen101]

Interesting documentary, glad you saved it from the skip Vyger Flix

[@Seansaighdeoir]

Very interesting that the seeds for power sharing were being talked about in 1975/5 by the Loyalists despite 75 being one of the worst years for deaths. It took another 20 years before this came about and I can't remember who coined the GFA as Sunningdale for slow learners but it seems apt here. Thanks for posting.

[@jemima216]

This is 1976; as the Barbaydo bar was bombed in 1975 and the narrator says it was a year later.

[@JohnMcMahon.]

Jemima Craig Yep, it was filmed in 76

[@patrickferran1678]

Set up by willie boy Frazer and his mate Barrie Halliday. Lest we forget

[@101MRSPICE]

Good documentary was there in 1978 as a tourist

[@Jackwatsonx18]

my granny nan is in this video ❤😢

[@trapperraptor7356]

Some of the best cups of tea i ever had was on the,, Shank,,,and if it was Pissing down you could sit in a house with rifle's put in a corner,,never a problem,,,,have tea and a cake,,,,Then back to work,,,,,God Bless Them,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[@brendanw45]

Okay action man

[@brendanw45]

Trapper Raptor Yawnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

[@jemima216]

You got the same from the Catholics on the Falls Road until the paras started smashing up their furniture and fittings, during house searches.

[@evania9121]

My granny made the soldiers cups of tea . God bless you too.

[@davidpatterson9107]

@@jemima216 And the Soldiers were looking for in the Falls ?."Arms" ammo bombs etc?Falls people Smiled in their faces providing Tea ,but pissed on their Boots.

[@Lwyse96]

Who is the man being interviewed at 7:07?

[@williamsteele1409]

these are like a lad who sneaked in to a movie remember your in but in your mind you know that you have to look over your shoulder because your not supposed to be there these loyalists are [planters and know that its Ireland not Britain and that will change they know it time is ticking for them and its 11-59

[@hoopenhanger]

The Shankill Road will be remembered for one thing, the infamous Shankill Butchers.

[@Lwyse96]

I'd never visit the Shankill Road area of Belfast if I were you.

[@markkenna4104]

Larry Wyse why not ?

[@bigsinger1981]

The only thing some republicans want protestants to be remembered for are the Shankill Butchers.

[@Emerald007007]

But aren't the shankhill butchers still commemorated? Are they not still treated as heroes in some areas? Its sad to think that human beings commemorate a group of men like Lenny Murphy who were like Jeffrey Dahmer or Ted Bundy. Some say even Peter Sutcliffe.

[@quagmire77]

@@bigsinger1981 big singer

[@ohno2112]

They are good people but remember the power structure needs division to stay in power, and they don't care if people get hurt especially the poor and working class ! The only thing to fear is fear itself !

[@tebigcheese]

my mum n dad r from the shankill...fn brill people,,,,

[@wc389]

Nah, everyone on the shankill knows your ma and da are fenian lovers.

[@SurveyofFilmMusic]

"We're loyal to the Crown." C'mere the bloody brits see YE as IRISH!

[@GaraGambini]

They can talk as they may. Doesn’t change the fact, duh.

[@markkenna4104]

I'm gonna go up there one day

[@pubkrocknroll]

the problem will always be loyalists irrational fear of a 32 county ireland

[@VygerFlix]

+pubkrocknroll - should that not say "financial" fear, I know, I work in ROI

[@GaraGambini]

That’s the problem, a United Ireland, not the solution.

[@cbalducc]

Quite a few American southerners (even blacks) are of Ulster Scots ancestry.

[@RobertK1993]

Blacks where they raised as slaves?

[@dominicseanmccann6300]

The saddest part of all; It's all an accident of birth.either way the poor are the poor. Nowt changes. Great video. Thanks.

[@thecarpetman7687]

How the standards of living has changed

[@johnglenn5464]

Did you notice that none of them were able to smile, sad isn't it?

[@jasonsk]

1:26 She is singing a song from the UVF LP record "In God Our Trust" (there is a copy of it in Ulster Museum) released back in 1974. I bet she is the original singer of the song "Shankill Road" on the record too. Her voice is exactly the same. Please let me know if anyone knows her name or more about this record. There is also a song named as "A Detainee's Lament" on the same record. I'm also wondering who is the vocalist too. Thank you!

[@thomasmcallister2742]

That's my granny singing the song Eileen mcallister

[@thomasmcallister2742]

She sadly passed away today

[@jasonsk]

@@thomasmcallister2742 I offer you my condolences for yer grandmother. I'm hope she lived a life full of joy.

[@jasonsk]

@@thomasmcallister2742 Are there any other recorded songs by your grandmother? It would be a pleasure for me if you could tell. Thank you.

[@thomasmcallister2742]

@@jasonsk she did indeed she sung many off songs she sadly passed away today after she fought a lot of things she was simplythebest

[@moiraray1]

Thank god my dad left

[@nedwardo642]

So they did, so it would, so they were....

[@JohnMcMahon.]

Sounds awful so it does..

[@JohnMcMahon.]

Is that the PUP's Hugh Smyth @6:29

[@JWD1012]

Certainly is.

[@shill700]

no, it's wee Shughie Smyth

[@RobertK1993]

Ulster Loyalists will get call from Paramount Pictures for using The Godfather soundtrack 😂

[@finoladerwin9350]

I use to be a RC I think the same

[@JustSean413]

Strange isnt it that anywhere that religion plays a big part in general life that its core message is one of ignorance,division and bigotry, take the religious blindfold off and then you notice that your neighbour is the exact same as you.

[@sarahmiller4734]

It isn't that simple in Northern Ireland. It is very similar in Cyprus (Republic of Cyprus & TRNC) and Israel & Palestine. Can you think what the common reason or cause behind these three supposedly "religious conflicts" are? The British Empire and its inability to stop sending the sons of the working class oevrseas so they could be exploited by the wealthy. (Before anyone calls me biased I am British)

[@steveef2275]

as an englishman living in belfast i love shankill rd its more british than england, god save king bjlly!

[@paulbrowne5049]

They'd love you alright. What's it like being worshiped by a bunch of inbred cretins?

[@steveef2275]

@@paulbrowne5049 i was in a pub in london the willsden arm s and i donated to the ira by ignorance , we had good night, irespect republicans, im an english rebublican, i dont want charles 111, but dont knock the the prods in belfast, they are salt of the earth.

[@paulbrowne5049]

@@steveef2275 that must have been a long time ago. I haven't seen or even heard of republican collections in London pubs since the naughties. I've no need with Belfast protestants or protestants from any other party of Northern Ireland with one exception. That expedition is their membership of the anti Catholic orange order. In my view you cannot have a civil society where every year one side display naked hostility to the other. I'm my view it will be the death knell of protestants in Ireland.

[@steveef2275]

@@paulbrowne5049 it was the willsden junction pub in 1982, it was great crack

[@RobertK1993]

Undoubtedly you aren't English not poor English grammar syntax

[@craigsutherland4726]

Sylvia Pavis still going strong 🇬🇧

[@cbalducc]

I don’t see how these people could be better off than Catholics.

[@JohnMcMahon.]

cbalducc Start here en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerrymandering#Northern_Ireland

[@cbalducc]

@@JohnMcMahon. The reason I wrote that was because those Protestants seemed to be living in grinding poverty.

[@xSUBIACOx]

The British in IRELAND. Still.

[@spacepygmy4443]

This should never have happend, feel sry for those innocents on both sides who lost there lives,,

[@19Tharg76]

31:15 😂😂

[@martinsweeney4656]

If you'd like England that much why don't you move over there

[@bennyrico4205]

Ireland should never have been partioned.no prods

[@VygerFlix]

Sad to see your bigotry, I welcome all religious beliefs but don't force my views on them. Perhaps you don't know your ancestry but on the slim chance you descended from the Celts who invaded Ireland, should we then send you back to central Europe?

[@RobertK1993]

​@@VygerFlixUlster Unionists and Loyalists are no different to the individual above for bigotry is on both sides m

[@moiraray1]

Dismal

[@tmac8892]

Drunks & addicts with nothing to do.

[@danbreen1916]

The dregs of Scotland

[@davidpatterson9107]

@@danbreen1916 "Above" indigenous Sod