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1990s

The Belfast/Good Friday Agreement was signed in 1998. It enjoyed broad public support, but negotiations on early prisoner release, disarmament and police reform were difficult.

Black and white photo of Mo Mowlam, NI Secretary of State, following the signing of the Good Friday Agreement Belfast 1998

John Major, then Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and Albert Reynolds, Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland, announced the Downing Street Declaration for the future. The negotiations set the tone. 

The violent acts of the Provisional Irish Republican Army and royalist paramilitary forces are still going on. Bill Clinton was elected President of the United States and visited Northern Ireland in 1995 to support the peace process. In 1997, Tony Blair led the Labour Party to a complete victory as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. 

At this time, political discussions in Northern Ireland accelerated the progress. 

Key events

The 1990s saw a rise in the popularity of the internet, mobile phones became more common and text messages offered a new means of communication. The ‘Second Summer of Love’ of 1989 had launched the popularity of dance music, bringing young people together under the unifying influence of rave culture. 

The world became enthralled by a movie about a ship built in Belfast, Titanic, an important reminder of Belfast’s industrial past within a largely ‘post-industrial’ landscape. The Belfast/Good Friday Agreement of 1998 was seen as the political accord which could finally end the Troubles. It received broad public support but involved difficult compromises on all sides, and was backed by a higher proportion of nationalists than unionists. 

In August of the same year, the Omagh bomb planted by republicans who opposed the Agreement killed 29 people. A long-running conflict over an Orange parade at Drumcree placed further pressure on the peace process.

 

Image of the Titanic film promotional poster
Framed advertising poster for the movie Titanic. (HOYFM.TRANSPORTTEMP.2045)
Orange rubber bullet
Rubber bullet fired during riots over the Drumcree stand off. - View Object
Light blue and dark blue print poster 'Support the orangemen at Drumcree'
Political Flyer; Support the Orangemen at Drumcree. Protest in a peaceful manner. Peaceful Protest by People Power will see Portadown Parade. (BELUM.Zg11535)
Image of the Titanic film promotional poster
Framed advertising poster for the movie Titanic. (HOYFM.TRANSPORTTEMP.2045)

About one-third of the murders in Belfast occur in or near residents' homes. It can be seen that political violence is likely to be highly localized and occur among acquaintances. The threat of violence has a great impact on the community.

Black and White photograph of Bill Clinton at Belfast City Hall during Christmas
U.S. President Bill Clinton at Belfast City Hall during Christmas, 1998. (BELUM.W2017.18.18)
U.S President Bill Clinton shaking the hand of Monica McWilliams
Monica McWilliams of the Northern Ireland Women's Coalition in conversation with President Bill Clinton. (BELUM.SCW2018.1.19)
The Good Friday Agreement Leaflet
The Belfast/Good Friday Agreement signed by the British and Irish governments and political parties in Northern Ireland on 10 April 1998 contained proposals for a power-sharing executive in Northern Ireland, prisoner releases, the decommissioning of paramilitary weapons, police reform and human rights initiatives. This booklet entitled ‘The Agreement – It’s Your Decision’ set out the terms of the agreement and copies were sent to every home in Northern Ireland [and the Republic of Ireland] in advance of the referendum held on 22 May 1998. - The Agreement. - View Full Image
Black and White photograph of Bill Clinton at Belfast City Hall during Christmas
U.S. President Bill Clinton at Belfast City Hall during Christmas, 1998. (BELUM.W2017.18.18)

Although there are also female victims and perpetrators, the impact of conflict on women is often reflected in other aspects.