The real Derry girls and the peace walls that divide their city

Northern Ireland still has more than 100 'peace walls' separating Catholic and Protestant communities, 25 years after the Good Friday agreement ended the Troubles.
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The barriers were meant to be taken down this year. But despite an enduring peace, many residents are not ready for their removal. As the cost of living crisis brings increased strain to communities in Derry, the Guardian spends time with Kyra and Rachel, two young peace builders doing very delicate work to bridge the divide between the two groups. Ultimately, they hope to gain their consent to reduce or remove the walls
The peace barrier initiative is supported by the International Fund for Ireland.
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#Derry #Londonderry #Protestants #Catholics #TheTroubles

[@Hongaars1969]

The ironies of “the peace wall”. Great initiative ladies. The world needs more women like you.

[@vimokkha]

Born and raised in Derry but haven't lived there for decades. Kudos to The Guardian for this great documentary and insight into where things are at. Thoughts are with the people of the Fountain and the Bog-side and all those working for reconciliation and a better future. It isn't always easy to find the common humanity when the old narratives, perpetuated by darker forces, continue to persist. Hopefully, the light will prevail so that the suffering may have a chance to abate. Such a noble thing would be for the benefit of the world in the broadest sense.

[@Marie0575]

Not many kids around the UK know about the conflict in Northern Ireland, to think it not taught in schoos and it happened untiI the 1990s. I hope something is done, and hope this is the beginning.

[@aidygooner]

The British school curriculum intentionally doesn't teach the gaping wounds the British Empire have left very close to their borders let alone the world such as the Middle East. Until we're honest with our history and acknowledge the serious wrongdoings, that's when people will actually move on from the past.

[@UnorganisedChaos]

I’m not from Northern Ireland but I would say it has possibly one of the most interesting and fascinatingly saddest stories in modern history. Some of the fairest people and most integral people in the world on BOTH sides of the fence.

[@TheLastAngryMan01]

Fair play to Kyra and Rachel, a very worthy project they've created to bring people together.

[@theredhairedchild944]

The youth doing their best to bring Derry together 🙌

[@markbeecroft-stretton3314]

I hadn't appreciated that "Peace Walls" existed outside of Belfast - aka a segregation we British imposed on the people in the North as part of a wider 800 year occupation. I just hope we see a peaceful reunification of the island of Ireland in my lifetime as the north has been largely ignored by Westminster, Dublin AND Stormont.

[@simonwiggins8570]

We British imposed your talking nonsense. To make such a comment you clearly have no concept of the realities in NI.

[@markbeecroft-stretton3314]

@@simonwiggins8570 I didn't, for one moment, imply that I do understand the full complexities of the North. This part of history is not taught in schools - nor are the other atrocities perpetrated in the Empire's former "colonies". The fact remains that the British have occupied and "plantationed" the island since the reign of the Tudors. What are the "realities" I have no concept of, from your viewpoint?

[@BagenB00]

As derry girls never goes into the history, ita really great to learn more about this topic. its overlooked entirely by the english curriculum

[@vishaalbhatnagar3924]

Such a thoughtful project. My family are big fans of 'Derry Girls' ❤

[@michaelbroadway643]

I don’t see why Brittan doesn’t just annex the land to Ireland peacefully. I mean it isn’t like the world doesn’t know that Britain tried to make the whole of Ireland as its subjects just like they tried to make the colonies in the United States of America subject to the British crown. Every day Britain exist, it chooses not to do the right thing.

[@CortexNewsService]

Because there is a sizable segment of the population that doesn't want that. It would just make it Ireland's problem. Reunification has to come from the people.

[@DonnaChamberson]

Because MOST PEOPLE ENJOY LIVING IN BRITAIN. 🇬🇧 😡

[@theredhairedchild944]

I’d love to see a follow up to this @the guardian. To know how the men got on

[@akirebara]

Me too. Hoping they were able to got some folks to see how illogical that wall is. I got a tour there while I was in Northern Ireland before the pandemic. Even the tour guide is hopeful that that wall will come down before he dies.

[@kjam1709]

I am a Gen X'r, so I grew up in the States watching news clips about the bombings. It was not until I went to Belfast a couple of weeks ago that I truly began to understand about the conflict, how close in the neighborhoods are in Northern Ireland and the immense toll of the violence. Where can I donate to the peace & reconciliation efforts highlighted in this documentary?

[@YogeshJhala-du8xg]

Excellent initiative. Best of luck to both of you .

[@sbor2020]

Fantastic community work they are doing in Derry. Good luck to you all.

[@flawyerlawyertv7454]

I didn't wall such walls existed in Northern Ireland. It's a real surprise to me. 😮

[@flawyerlawyertv7454]

31st March 2024. 11:07 / 11:08

[@perlaarrebatada9726]

Este es el espiritu de trabajp necesario para dejar en el pasado los odios generados durante decadas, si no mas, de conflicto. Es un trabajo de hormigas: un granito, otro granito, etc. Solo asi con el ejemplo, con actos concretos, el dialogo, el testmonio de quienes vieron y sufrieron toda esta violencia y con mucha paciencia puede producirse un cambio. Ademas por iniciativa de mujeres que han visto a sus, hijos, padres, hermanos, parientes, amigos, segurame te resultar directamente afectados p incluso morir en medio de esa violencia. Adicionalm3ente el gobier o británico tiene una inmensa responsabilidad en toda esa construccion de odio y nunca la ha reconocido completamente.

[@leoobroin3804]

Amazing. Good on you girls.

[@hannofranz7973]

Interesting documentary on a great project. Unfortunately, you haven't given enough time to read the texts.

[@darrenharkin1421]

press pause

[@wintersnowowen2254]

I live about 20 miles from Derry and had a really peaceful and tranquil childhood. The scenes in this video are completely foreign to me. Not saying this isn’t their lived experience just saying that a lot of people in NI had relatively peaceful childhood.

[@reknakfarg]

depends on where you live, lots of people in rural ukraine won't notice the war either

[@wintersnowowen2254]

@@reknakfarg most of NI isn’t like Derry.

[@anthonym3351]

It seems like everything in NI is very divided

[@Wolfhound223]

Watching from Skeoge :P

[@michelle5042]

I love derry

[@user-wd2ox8ls4u]

You haven't lived there for decades where do you live now

[@QueenkittyNi]

i heard all of these towns cause of shanes music 🎶🎵

[@mnj640]

Politics and religion have a lot to answer for

[@tonylynch.4563]

👍

[@gouravmisra2317]

WATCHING FROM INDIA MA'AM

[@philcudworth8491]

The accents 😊❤

[@ksy4747]

It still cracks me up... its the same fkin religion, guys!!!!

[@Unknown-ut6dn]

Can anyone help to find accommodation in Derry. I am an international student and coming in the mid of January. Plzzz reply anyone who have rental room or accommodation or u can help to provide any contact for accommodation. I will be so greatful of you.

[@reviewsreviewer]

Brits out.. that will fix the issue

[@theearthguy1814]

so your only solution is deportation of an entire denomination?

[@davidblack7968]

So you are telling the people in the Fountain Estate who identify as British to "get out"

[@ariebrons7976]

Is this some sort of apartheid wall?

[@sandersson2813]

Northern Ireland must be about the least aspirational place in Europe.

[@dessy76]

Ever been to England?

[@sandersson2813]

@@dessy76 Yes, of course, but NI is famous for virtually nothing which is positive.

[@dessy76]

@@sandersson2813 Have you ever visited NI?

[@dessy76]

@@sandersson2813 Ever watch Game of Thrones?

[@sandersson2813]

@@dessy76 Yes. Very few redeeming features

[@badbenito]

Put up another Fionnula's Fish & Chips. Food brings people together.

[@andrewmosher-le6ct]

Ireland and Palestine "One Struggle". Same brand of antisemitism.

[@A.E.Segura]

NOT.

[@jemparingansambisena2702]

Wait, do you think cryptocurrency will crash? I dont think so. More and more companies are integrating cryptocurrency into their operations: Amazon, Cannafarm Ltd, Burger King, even Starbucks, dude!

[@sabinecastelein1]

Atheism is the solution

[@cedricliggins7528]

We could use walls in the US to sesparate neighborhoods. Safe from unsafe

[@DublinMarc]

Here in dublin people couldn't care less what your religion is . That said, i know Northern Irelands circumstances are totally different to ours

[@Cacbo774]

800 years of trying to master the native Irish. FAILED😊😊😊😊 English Imperialism has failed miserably. Time to leave. 😊

[@Unknown-ut6dn]

Can anyone help to find accommodation in Derry. I am an international student and coming in the mid of January. Plzzz reply anyone who have rental room or accommodation or u can help to provide any contact for accommodation. I will be so great ful.