Opinion

Tom Kelly: Will we ever have the courage to change the Twelfth narrative?

Tom Kelly

Tom Kelly

Tom Kelly is an Irish News columnist with a background in politics and public relations. He is also a former member of the Policing Board.

The contentious bonfire at Adam Street in Tiger's Bay north Belfast, close to the New Lodge interface
The contentious bonfire at Adam Street in Tiger's Bay north Belfast, close to the New Lodge interface The contentious bonfire at Adam Street in Tiger's Bay north Belfast, close to the New Lodge interface

First of all let’s get the niceties out of the way - Happy Twelfth to all who want to celebrate it.

I am just grateful for the bank holiday even if there is nowhere to go.

Today also marks the first anniversary of my last appearance on the Nolan Show. As the Serenity Prayer goes: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change and the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference”.

I tested my resolve on Friday morning and let the radio run on after Good Morning Ulster. After fifteen minutes of Jim Allister and Jim Wilson talking about bonfires I switched off and went to locate my blood pressure monitor. Plus ca change.

Thankfully we are spared unsightly Eleventh night bonfires down my way. It’s this time of the year I am grateful for not living any further north. Border life certainly has its advantages.

But the tradition of bonfires is something which seems to make the blood boil.

I get the historical perspective of remembering that bonfires were lit on the Antrim and Down hills to help the Dutch usurper, William of Orange, and his forces to arrive in Belfast lough in 1690. However this is 2021 and public safety and environmental considerations should be first and foremost in the planning of bonfires.

It has to be said, whilst totally unnecessary, the vast majority of bonfires, like Orange parades, are not contentious. Those which are contentious are deliberately so and are intended to give offence, intimidate or create a sense of fear amongst polarised communities who live cheek by jowl.

Unfortunately for some people, the bonfires are merely totems for a hate fest. They are adorned with posters of non unionist politicians, Irish tricolours and anti Catholic slogans. These are not expressions of culture or historical re-enactment - they are pure and simple overt displays of sectarianism. There should be zero tolerance towards these.

The PSNI and other authorities have a responsibility to act. Though increasingly the PSNI approach to policing both sides of the community when anything is contentious seems to be to turn a blind eye. It is little wonder that both the SDLP’s Nichola Mallon and Sinn Féin’s Deirdre Hargey took action against PSNI inaction over the controversial Adam Street bonfire. Despite the absurd blathering of fringe loyalists, Adam Street is not a cultural site. Those who claim it is should be charged with misappropriation of the English language.

The build up of tensions over certain bonfires appears orchestrated. Certainly if Boney builders wanted to avoid inflaming inter-community tensions it is obvious they should not be constructing bonfires near the peace line.

In 2019 the cost to Belfast ratepayers to clean up after bonfires was an eye watering £23k with council workers spending 1,000 hours putting right the damage. This can’t be right. Certainly the controversy over bonfires does little for the image of Northern Ireland tourism.

A few weeks back, to do the Gobbins Walk I took the unusual decision to enjoy a mini break in Carrickfergus.

Carrickfergus and the Gobbins has amazing tourist potential. Potential marred by the huge amount paramilitary flags on display for the Twelfth. It makes zero sense to make domestic tourists feel uncomfortable.

The only saving grace was that Larne was worse - proclaiming welcome to loyalist Larne. This territorial marking is medieval and menacing. And yes it happens in some nationalist areas too. But the extent of it in many loyalist areas indicates insecurity.

July truly is the silly season in Northern Ireland. Common sense, mutual respect and civility are in sparse supply. Little wonder so many decamp from Belfast and go to Donegal or Portrush.

Many unionists are enthusiastic about the Twelfth whilst many nationalists are indifferent towards it. But with perennial crises over the Eleventh night can we ever change entrenched mindsets?

Where’s that Serenity Prayer?