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Riots at Belfast 1864
Poster Prints from Mary Evans Picture Library
Riots at Belfast 1864
BELFAST - Riots taking place in front of St Malachys Chapel
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Media ID 575486
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10012874
1864 Belfast Chapel Riots Taking
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the chaos and unrest that gripped Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1864, as a violent religious conflict between Protestant and Catholic communities erupted into riots on the streets. The image, taken in front of St Malachy's Chapel, a prominent Catholic place of worship, provides a poignant glimpse into a dark chapter of Irish history. The causes of the riots were complex, rooted in deep-seated religious and political tensions that had simmered for decades. The Protestant Orangemen, who celebrated the victory of Protestant King William of Orange over Catholic King James II in 1690, marched through the predominantly Catholic Falls Road area of Belfast on July 12th, 1864. This annual parade was a source of great anxiety for the Catholic community, who saw it as a provocative display of Protestant power and dominance. As the Orangemen passed through the Falls Road, they were met with violent resistance from the Catholic population. Rocks and other projectiles were thrown, and the situation quickly spiraled out of control. The British military and police were called in to restore order, but their intervention only fueled the flames of conflict. The riots lasted for several days, leaving dozens of people dead and hundreds injured. The violence highlighted the deep divisions within Irish society and underscored the need for political reform. It would be several decades before the situation in Northern Ireland began to improve, and the legacy of these conflicts would continue to shape the region for generations to come. This photograph is a powerful reminder of the turbulent history of Belfast and Ireland, and serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of understanding and respecting the complex religious and political dynamics that continue to shape the region today.
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