NYU Washington, DC and the Irish Network DC recently launched a three-part collaboration entitled Northern Ireland Peace on the Eve of Brexit: Resilience & Reconciliation Through Art & Storytelling. This programming is an exploration featuring music, film, and discussions, supported by a two-week art installation examining conflict and cooperation during the Troubles and since.
The 30-year social, religious, tribal, and economic conflict known as the Troubles came to a formal end with the Good Friday Agreement of April 1998, but now Brexit threatens that fragile peace. Through film, music, art, storytelling and special guests, NYU Washington, DC and the Irish Network DC will explore the complex progress of healing a divided society. A visual art exhibit will showcase art about the conflict and its legacy and will run from October 16-30, 2019. All events will be at New York University’s Constance Milstein and Family Global Academic Center located in downtown D.C.
The program was launched with “Good Vibrations” Film Screening and Discussion on 17 October.
Set in the 1970s, the film “Good Vibrations” looks at the life of Terri Hooley, who is considered Northern Ireland’s “godfather of punk.” Due to the sectarian violence in Belfast at the time, the city basically shut down in the evenings. This was not much fun for the teens looking for something to do. Hooley began arranging punk music shows, set up a record label and shop called Good Vibrations, and ‘discovered’ the band The Undertones. The punk community became a way to rebel against the sectarianism and violence that was prevalent.
On 24 October, NYU Washington, DC will host “Alternative Ulster” Acoustic Performance and Discussion” featuring a performance by guitarist. Henry Cluney. Henry Cluney grew up in Belfast and was a founding member of the Belfast punk band Stiff Little Fingers. The band, comprised of Catholics and Protestants, wrote about the situation in their country. Some of their songs include “Tin Soldiers”, “Suspect Device”, “Wasted Life” and “Alternative Ulster”. Henry will tell stories about his songs, living through the Troubles and, with his guitar, perform some of those songs. Joing Henry for a discussion after his performance is Niall Stanage, Associate Editor and White House Columnist for, The Hill. Henry will be available to sign autographs and chat after the show.
The third and final program co-hosted by NYU Washington, DC and the Irish Network DC will take place on 30 October and features an evening discussion and stories about life in Northern Ireland, the peace process and Brexit. Entitled Looking Ahead: Beyond the Toubles and Brexit, to Protecting the Peace, the event is a fitting conclusion to this dynamic program.
Guest speakers for the evening include Margery Myers, Widow of Robert P.Myers, Jr. (US Consul General Aug. 1986 – April 1989) and Aideen Gilmore, formerly with Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) in Belfast. The keynote speaker is the Irish Ambassador to the United States, Daniel Mulhall, who will talk about the role of the arts in Ireland, Peace Process and what Brexit may bring.