TRI-Harder

Tri-colour flying in Belfast cemetary

My first St Patrick's Day in Belfast (17 March 2010) I wanted to spend in Downpatrick, a town about 30 minutes south of Belfast. A mentor of mine explained that it was a very nice family day out with an ecumenical vibe. Catholic and Protestant churches held services on St Patrick's Day and inclusive events were planned throughout the week. Unfortunately, I didn't make it out of bed early enough to get to make it down last year and this year I found myself working (on a public holiday??). It wasn't late into the day when I heard the reports of this year's St Patrick's Day celebrations; a Sinn Fein Councillor flew an enormous tri-colour in the Downpatrick parade, which led to some DUP representatives leaving the event in disgust. That councillor knew protocol and made an unnecessary statement at an important day for inclusion and cooperation.

July bonfire, tri-colour burning in Belfast

Flags in Northern Ireland are powerful symbols to say the least. The Belfast City Hall flies the Union Jack to represent its connection to the United Kingdom, however, it would not take anyone long to note the identity-crisis of the country. Tri-colours and union jacks (alongside other flags representing allegiances to the UK OR Ireland, not usually both) mark individual homes, collective streets, and the wider communities of Northern Ireland as either Protestant-Unionist-Loyalist or Catholic-Nationalist-Republican.

The 12th of July marks a Protestant victory over the Catholics in the infamous/famous Battle of the Boyne of 1690. This past July (2010) was my first time in Northern Ireland for the Twelfth parades, marches, and bonfires. While I have a number of questions and thoughts springing from that experience, my primary focus at present is the burning of the tri-colour atop the bonfire, symbolically lit at midnight on the 12th of July. The crowds were having fun drinking and singing, but I couldn't help feeling on edge as the flames rose closer and closer to the Irish flag. When it finally engulfed in flames and the crowd cheered my heart sunk and I felt sick. I kept thinking, why isn't this made illegal? Would it matter?

With these two holidays and celebrations, one celebrating the victory of Protestantism in Northern Ireland and the other representing St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, both sponsored by government funding, the tri-colour has been an important symbol involved. Is it worse to burn or fly the tri-colour? Which action is harmless?

Angels of Hope display in Victoria Square, City Centre

For loyalists the existence of the tri-colour is a constant reminder that an united Ireland is a possibility and for nationalists the union jack is a constant reminder of the present arrangement where Northern Ireland is an integral part of the UK. Northern Ireland's limbo status makes symbols contentious. Flags present Northern Ireland with a challenge, as there is no official Northern Ireland flag to unite the 2 million people living together in this part of the island. Off the bat it may seem as though burning a tri-colour is more offensive than waving around a large one in a parade--but if we take a second look, one is both as negative as the other in that they both threaten the identity and feelings of security of the other.

I'd love to see a Northern Ireland with a flag that incorporates the rich culture and identity of Ireland with the legacy and prestige of the UK. For communities to live side by side as they do is a triumph in the face of oppression, fear, and legacies of violence and hatred. However, to truly share in the future, flag burnings cannot be tolerated and boisterous flag-flyings cannot be ignored. It is with great sensitivity that Northern Ireland must continue moving forward. This should not mean that flags are banned and that identities are hidden and repressed, but it should mean that the norm of flag burning and intentionally overt flag flying should be addressed and strongly challenged by both communities.