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Lily Brannon and Michelle Bradley live very close to each other in Belfast—just a two-minute walk apart. However, a large peace wall separating their neighborhoods on the Springfield/Springmartin Road creates a significant obstacle, turning such a short journey into a 20 to 30-minute walk. These peace lines are physical barriers that divide certain nationalist Catholic and unionist Protestant communities across the city.
Lily, 73, who is Protestant, and Michelle, 46, a Catholic, have managed to form a close friendship despite the social and psychological barriers their communities often experience. Their connection was made possible through a cross-community initiative in west Belfast. This program operates out of the Black Mountain Shared Space building and receives funding from the International Fund for Ireland (IFI), which supports peace-building efforts around these contentious boundary walls.
The initial meeting between Lily and Michelle came with some hesitancy—Michelle described it as “reservedness,” while Lily called it “suspicion.” However, these feelings were short-lived. Their shared interests, particularly in creative pursuits, helped them bond quickly. Lily affectionately refers to Michelle as “a great wee girl,” highlighting the strong support they now offer each other. This relationship has grown across divisions rooted in Belfast’s troubled history, with Lily born before the Troubles began, and Michelle during a particularly violent period in the 1980s. Reflecting on those times, Michelle emphasized that her fear was primarily “the fear of the unknown” rather than hatred.
The International Fund for Ireland, currently celebrating its 40th anniversary, was established by the British and Irish governments in 1986 to foster peace in Northern Ireland and border counties. Over the years, it has raised around £780 million, including contributions from countries such as the United States, the European Union, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The IFI supports various peace barriers programs, including the one that brings together residents from Protestant and Catholic areas along the Springfield Road to engage in dialogue and activities.
Michelle recalls the early days with Lily as a time when shared interests helped bridge gaps: “There was so much more that joined us together than divided us.” Their activities often began with art-based projects that created a relaxed environment. Through challenging conversations where they sometimes held opposing views, the two learned to listen and understand each other, enriching their appreciation of each other’s backgrounds while maintaining their own identities. Lily has even picked up a little Irish language, reflecting the cultural exchange between them, as Michelle is an Irish speaker involved in the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), a group traditionally associated with the Catholic community. Their connection goes beyond the program, with Lily attending Michelle’s GAA club. Despite living so near one another, Michelle finds it “mad” that the peace wall turns what should be a simple walk into a complicated journey, and she credits the IFI-funded project with enabling their unlikely friendship.
Peace walls were originally constructed across Northern Ireland to reduce violence by physically separating divided communities. More than 20 miles of these barriers exist, with around 60 walls remaining in 2023, mostly concentrated in Belfast. They stand as a reminder of the deep-rooted social divisions that continue to challenge efforts toward reconciliation and community integration
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