Key interface areas Interface area

1 key interface areas

1.1 north belfast
1.2 south belfast
1.3 west belfast
1.4 east belfast
1.5 portadown
1.6 derry

key interface areas
north belfast

alexandra park fence, viewed antrim road side

north belfast home number of interface areas. amongst notorious between lower antrim road , lower shore road seen such flashpoint in 1994 fence added alexandra park, public amenity straddling both areas, dividing park between 2 communities. fence remains in place although gate added in 2011 permitting limited access 1 side other.

a major flashpoint exists @ duncairn gardens between irish republican new lodge area of antrim road , neighbouring ulster loyalist tiger s bay area. clashes here date @ least 1970s when local defence associations formed loyalists became part of wider ulster defence association. trouble in area has been regular feature petrol bombs thrown in 2000 , 2001 after local uda brigadier jimbo simpson claimed republican housing starting encroach tiger s bay. limestone road, runs parallel duncairn gardens, provides dividing line, parkside , newington areas being largely irish nationalist , tiger s bay , halliday s road area unionist (although small section of halliday s road forms edge of new lodge area , divided rest of road result). there have been divisions around antrim road between protestant westland road , catholic areas of cavehill road known little america , although there has been more co-operation between community groups aimed @ decreasing tensions.

entrance on duncairn gardens catholic section of halliday s road

further north major flashpoint exists between republican ardoyne area , loyalist glenbryn estate, clash reaching apex in holy cross dispute of 2001 , 2002. dividing line between 2 areas reckoned alliance avenue , peace line has been since 1971. on western edge ardoyne borders on crumlin road , woodvale road, 2 loyalist areas.

to south of ardoyne there number of interface areas on oldpark road. torrens area heavily fortified loyalist enclave on road access onto severely restricted. areas such wyndham street , oldpark avenue surround torrens republican. during summer of 1996 ulster volunteer force in torrens had been preparing attack ardoyne after local disturbances, although talked out of progressive unionist party politician billy hutchinson. around 2010, majority of loyalist population moved area , barricades , police station have since been demolished. further down road loyalist lower oldpark divided republican ardoyne area around hillview road , rosapenna street, manor street split in half peace line. lower oldpark area sees occasional sectarian clashes result.

towards newtownabbey whitewell road contains interface area between republican whitewell , loyalist white city areas. whitewell area, neighbouring catholic areas of longlands , arthur, border on loyalist rathcoole estate.

south belfast

although not strictly interface areas on each side of majority catholic according 2001 , 2011 censuses, ormeau bridge became focus of clashes in 1990s. residents of lower ormeau road opposed orange order marching towards city centre across ormeau bridge , via lower ormeau road. marches originated in ballynafeigh, although mixed area, contains orange hall , couple of protestant enclaves, leading tradition of marches along ormeau road. parades commission has determined marches prevented crossing ormeau bridge in recent years, , tensions have since reduced.

west belfast

gates in peace line @ lanark way, between shankill , springfield roads

one of deadliest interface areas in northern ireland between loyalist shankill road , republican falls , springfield roads. reports of rioting between 2 communities go @ least 19th century , in post-war years violence between young people both sides common on many streets linked 2 areas. following outbreak of troubles , huge upturn in violence in these areas of direct points of access sealed peace lines. these continue exist part although low level violence , vandalism occur @ points 2 areas come close, notably ainsworth avenue backs onto springfield road, points @ kirk street , workman avenue in woodvale area touch springfield, parts of highfield estate border springfield road , republican bombay street , loyalist cupar way meet.

other interfaces in west belfast include donegall road , broadway, divided between loyalist village area , republican st james s area roundabout rise statue stands , stewartstown road divides republican lenadoon area loyalist suffolk.

east belfast

although east belfast whole largely protestant in nature republican enclave of short strand forms number of interface areas neighbouring loyalist districts on albertbridge road , newtownards road. 1970 battle of st matthew s saw 1 of deadliest expressions of tensions in area, although 2011 sustained violent clashes have broken out in area.

portadown

the interface between loyalist corcrain road , republican obins drive has been regular scene of violence in county armagh town. violence broke out here in 2011 after loyalist youths had liaised each other through social network sites in order launch disturbances.

derry

one of main interface areas between fountain estate , bishop street in cityside several others including dungiven road, currynierin estate, tullyalley estate, , waterside. in years of troubles, fountain estate directly bordered bishop street, part of free derry, republican no-go area, resulting in hardline loyalism , government trying intervene making more interface areas. after operation motorman , end of free derry, sectarian violence became worse , peace lines grew rapidly in protestant fountain area bordering catholic bishop street. heavily protestant waterside area borders catholic dungiven road , has multiple peace lines, , has been known violent area during troubles. there many other interface areas in derry 2 mentioned above largest. city council has attempted tackle tensions in these areas embarking on shared city project aims bring people both communities through education , recreational activities.

harding street in city divided fence.