NI Troubles: Belfast holds day of reflection

Church leaders are also taking part in a service at St Anne's Cathedral

Belfast City Council has held a "day of reflection" to acknowledge the "hurt and pain" caused by the Troubles.

More than 3,500 people died and thousands more were injured during 30 years of violence, much of it in Belfast.

The council arranged poetry readings and provided space for people to reflect.

Church leaders also took part in a service at St Anne's Cathedral.

The reason 21 June was chosen as a date for reflection is that it is the longest day of the year.

Both Catholic and Protestant church leaders were in attendance at the service of prayer, music and reflection.

The Catholic Archbishop Eamon Martin and the Presbyterian moderator the Reverend Dr David Bruce took part in the service.

In the congregation was the Commissioner for Victims and Survivors, Ian Jeffers.

The service, entitled Courage to Lament, had been organised by a number of peace-building groups.

The idea of a day of reflection was started 15 years ago by Healing Through Remembering.

The Catholic Archbishop Eamon Martin and the Presbyterian moderator the Reverend Dr David Bruce took part in a service at St Anne's Cathedral

"The day of reflection is held on 21 June each year, across many communities, as an opportunity to acknowledge the deep hurt and pain caused by the conflict in and about Northern Ireland," the council said.

"The day offers an opportunity to reflect on our own attitudes, on what more we might have done or might still do, and to make a personal commitment that such loss should never be allowed to happen again.

"It also provides an opportunity to reflect on our hopes for the future."

A "thought tree" is also at Belfast City Hall and people are invited to share their hopes for the future by adding a leaf with a personal message.

Details are also provided of support agencies who help those who have suffered trauma.

The Republic of Ireland's foreign minister said he stood in solidarity with the families, from all communities, who have suffered the loss of a loved one in the course of the Troubles.

"The profound loss felt by the families who lost loved ones, and by their communities, is immense," said Simon Coveney.

"These deaths not only changed the course of history on this island, they also left a legacy of loss and pain for so many to bear."

Mr Coveney said that many families have experienced "immense" loss

Mr Coveney said that it is "never easy to speak about such dark parts of our shared past" but "the alternative, to forget, is not an option, and remembering challenges us to constantly strive for a better future".

"This year also marks the fiftieth anniversary of two of the darkest days of our shared past: Bloody Sunday and Bloody Friday. Twenty-three people died and one hundred and forty-five more were injured over the course of those two events alone. It is important that we reflect on that immense loss."

He added: "There cannot be one history of the Troubles, but our grief is a part of our common humanity."

Full details about what is happening at Belfast City Hall, and the reasons behind the events, are outlined on the council's website.

Update 22 June 2022: This article has been updated to more fully reflect Minister Coveney's statement.