Timeline

The timeline links together artworks from the archive with historical events

Charles Haughey visits Northern Ireland

1990

This is the first official visit to Northern Ireland of a Taoiseach of Ireland since 1965

IRA bomb explodes at the London Stock Exchange casuing widespread damage

1990

Mary Robinson is elected the first female President of Ireland

1990

Her inauguration takes place on 3 December

Brian Keenan is released

1990

Brian Keenan, a teacher from Belfast, held hostage for 4 years in Beirut is released and returns to Ireland.

Margaret Thatcher steps down as Prime Minister

1990

Architecture

Castle Court Shopping Centre Building Design Partnership

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Film and Television

A Safe House

Moira Armstrong

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Film and Television

Dear Sarah

Frank Cvitanovich

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Film and Television

Shoot to Kill

Peter Kosminsky

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Film and Television

Who Bombed Birmingham? (or The Investigation)

Mike Beckham

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Film and Television

Hidden Agenda

Ken Loach

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Film and Television

Hush-A-Bye Baby

Margo Harkin

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Literature

Lies of Silence Brian Moore

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Literature

Give Them Stones Mary Beckett

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Performance Arts

Still Tills

First Performed 1990

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Visual Art

No Surrender Victor Sloan

Year Produced 1990

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Visual Art

God and Ulster 1990 John Keane

Year Produced 1990

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Visual Art

If You Were To Lick My Heart Graham Gingles

Year Produced 1990

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Visual Art

The Indian Summer Dance Colin McGookin

Year Produced 1990

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Visual Art

Sunday Morning Banshee Martin Forker

Year Produced 1990

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Visual Art

Big Brother is Watching You (Waiting in Silence Series) Marie-Thérèse Davis

Year Produced 1990

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Visual Art

Under the Shadow of the Cavehill, the danger approaches… Marie-Thérèse Davis

Year Produced 1990

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Visual Art

Waiting in Silence for the Knock on the Door Marie-Thérèse Davis

Year Produced 1990

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Visual Art

‘Trapped’: Sitting on the Fence (Red and Green) Marie-Thérèse Davis

Year Produced 1990

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Visual Art

‘Trapped’: Sitting on the Fence (Black & Blue) Marie-Thérèse Davis

Year Produced 1990

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Visual Art

‘Trapped’: Concrete Bollard with Barbed Wire Marie-Thérèse Davis

Year Produced 1990

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Visual Art

Black and White Oil Drum Marie-Thérèse Davis

Year Produced 1990

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IRA mortar attack on 10 Downing Street

1991

No one is injured but it represents a serious breach of security.

The Birmingham Six are released

1991

The Birmingham Six are freed by the Court of Appeal in London. They served 16 years in prison for the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings.

Framework for political talks agreed

1991

The UUP, SDLP. DUP and Alliance parties agree to a framework for political talks on the future of Northern Ireland.

Political talks begin

1991

The conviction of “Maguire Seven” quashed

1991

The convictions of the “Maguire Seven” accused of supplying bombs used for attacks in Guilford and Woolwich are quashed by the Court of Appeal in London.

Political talks end

1991

John Major meets Charles Haughey in Dublin

1991

The visit is the first by a British Prime Minister to Dublin since 1980.

Film and Television

Children of the North

David Drury

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Film and Television

So You Think You’ve Got Troubles

Mike Holgate, Colm Villa

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Literature

The Glass Curtain Carlo Gébler

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Literature

The Second Prison Ronan Bennett

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Poetry

The War Ending Medbh McGuckian

Published 1991

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Visual Art

The Impossibility of Flight Tom Bevan

Year Produced 1991

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Visual Art

Jesus Appears In The City Sean Hillen

Year Produced 1991

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Visual Art

Twelfth Parade North Queen St Joseph McWilliams

Year Produced 1991

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Visual Art

May the Lord in his Mercy be Kind to Belfast Joseph McWilliams

Year Produced 1991

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Visual Art

Finds From An Old Past Graham Gingles

Year Produced 1991

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Visual Art

The Conceit of the Dead Graham Gingles

Year Produced 1991

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Visual Art

Orange Order, Cookstown Paul Seawright

Year Produced 1991

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Visual Art

Leakage Paddy McCann

Year Produced 1991

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Visual Art

Cryptbrick Paddy McCann

Year Produced 1991

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Eight civilians killed in IRA attack at Teebane Crossroads

1992

They were traveling in a minibus and had been working at a military base in County Tyrone

IRA Murders “Informers”

1992

The IRA has admitted murdering 3 men found on 3 different roadsides in Co Armagh.

Five shot dead by UFF at Bookmakers in Belfast

1992

Five people were shot dead by the UFF in a bookmaker’s shop on the Lower Ormeau Road in Belfast.

Charles Haughey resigns as Taoiseach and is replaced by Albert Reynolds

1992

Two IRA bombs explode at the Baltic Exchange in London, killing 3 people

1992

Patrick Mayhew replaces Peter Brooke as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

1992

Political talks recommence at Stormont

1992

The UDA is banned in Northern Ireland

1992

Northern Ireland forensic laboratory bombed

1992

A large bomb destroys the Northern Ireland forensic laboratory in South Belfast causing widespread damage.

Unionists withdraw from political talks

1992

Neil Jordan’s “The Crying Game” is screened

1992

Architecture

Waterfront Hall Robinson and McIlwaine Architects

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Contemporary Music

Wanting Not Wanting Stephen Gardner

Released 1992

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Film and Television

The Crying Game

Neil Jordan

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Literature

Journeyman Tailor Gerald Seymour

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Literature

Fat Lad Glenn Patterson

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Performance Arts

A Public Execution

First Performed 1992

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Performance Arts

The Brain

First Performed 1992

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Poetry

H-Block Shuttle Rita Ann Higgins

Published 1992

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Visual Art

Ballad No. 1 Philip Napier

Year Produced 1992

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Visual Art

The Bridge Willie Doherty

Year Produced 1992

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Visual Art

Romulus and Seamus John Kindness

Year Produced 1992

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Visual Art

Comm Locky Morris

Year Produced 1992

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Visual Art

London Derry Projected Rejected Reflected Refracted and Amended – Enough to Wake the Dead – The Flag Colin McGookin

Year Produced 1992

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Two IRA bombs explode in Warrington killing two young boys

1993

IRA bomb explodes at Bishopsgate in London killing one and injuring over 30

1993

Mary Robinson, President of Ireland meets Queen Elizabeth in Buckingham Palace

1993

Mary Robinson meets and shakes the hand of Gerry Adams provoking criticism from Unionists

1993

John Hume meets Albert Reynolds, Taoiseach, and reports on principles he and Gerry Adams have discus

1993

IRA bomb explodes prematurely on the Shankill Road

1993

An IRA bomb being planted in a fish shop explodes prematurely, killing 10 and injuring 57. A resulting Loyalist backlash over the next week kills 12 in a number of attacks.

Seven killed in a UFF gun attack in the Rising Sun bar in Greysteel

1993

Secret talks between the British government and the Republican Movement are revealed

1993

The Observer newspaper claims that the two sides have been in contact since early in the year.

Architecture

Business Park/At The Peaceline

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Film and Television

Love Lies Bleeding

Michael Winterbottom

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Film and Television

In the Name of the Father

Jim Sheridan

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Film and Television

After 68

Stephen Burke

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Literature

Titanic Town Mary Costello

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Literature

Double Jeopardy Ronan Bennett

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Poetry

The Soil-Map Medbh McGuckian

Published 1993

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Poetry

A Welcoming Party John Montague

Published 1993

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Theatre

After Easter Anne Devlin

Year First Performed 1993

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Visual Art

Madonna I Diarmuid Delargy

Year Produced 1993

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Visual Art

Untitled II, Explosion Victor Sloan

Year Produced 1993

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Visual Art

Ulster Saga Triptych Gerry Gleason

Year Produced 1993-1994

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Visual Art

Lower Ormeau & Relics of the City Tom Bevan

Year Produced 1993

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Visual Art

The Goddess Appears in Newry, Easter 1993 Sean Hillen

Year Produced 1993

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Visual Art

Newry Gagarin crosses the Border Sean Hillen

Year Produced 1993

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Visual Art

Sr. Faustina Appears In LondoNewry… Sean Hillen

Year Produced 1993

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Visual Art

Labourer Paddy McCann

Year Produced 1993

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The Jim Sheridan film “In the Name of the Father” is released

1994

The Section 31 broadcasting ban is lifted in the Republic of Ireland

1994

Former INLA leader Dominic mcGllinchy is shot dead in Drogheda

1994

Five mortars fired from a car land inside the grounds of Heathrow Airport

1994

This is the first of three such attacks by the IRA in the course of five days.The House of Commons votes to renew the Prevention of Terrorism Act and also to set up a select committee on Northern Irish affairs.

The IRA begins a three day ceasefire

1994

29 killed in a helicopter crash on the Mull of Kintyre

1994

29 people, including 10 senior RUC officials, 9 British Army officers and 6 Security Service officials are killed while on route to a security conference in Inverness. The 4 member RAF crew are also killed in the crash which was at first blamed on pilot error.

Six Catholic men are killed in a UVF gun attack on a pub in Loughinisland. Co Down

1994

The attack took place while they were watching a televised World Cup match.

John Hume and Gerry Adams issue a joint statement on the prospect of peace in Northern Ireland

1994

The statement lists democratic principles and self-determination as prerequisites for change.

The IRA announces the complete cessation of military activities

1994

The broadcasting ban is lifted

1994

A Statement released on behalf of all Loyalist paramilitary organisations announces a ceasefire

1994

George Mitchell is appointed Special Economic Advisor to Ireland by the Clinton Administration

1994

Literature

Walking The Dog and Other Stories Bernard MacLaverty

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Literature

Resurrection Man Eoin McNamee

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Poetry

The Albert Chain Medbh McGuckian

Published 1994

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Poetry

The War Degree Medbh McGuckian

Published 1994

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Poetry

Cows Paul Muldoon

Published 1994

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Traditional Music

Sailing Through the Sky Tommy Sands

Released 1994

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Traditional Music

Little Róisín Barry Kerr

Released 1994

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Theatre

A Night in November Marie Jones

Year First Performed 1994

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Visual Art

Border Letters Marie Barrett

Year Produced 1994

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Visual Art

Collars Marie Barrett

Year Produced 1994

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Visual Art

Ulster Saga Triptych Gerry Gleason

Year Produced 1993-1994

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Visual Art

Mr Metzinger’s Abattoir Graham Gingles

Year Produced 1994

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Visual Art

Slán Abhaile Robert Ballagh

Year Produced 1994

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John Major and John Bruton, Taoiseach, publish framework documents which contain proposals for a Nor

1995

First official meeting between the British government and Sinn Fein in 23 years

1995

Vice President of Sinn Fein, Martin McGuinness, leads a Sinn Fein delegation to Stormont for a meeting with the Political Development Minister of the Northern Ireland Office, Michael Ancram.

Drumcree Standoff begins

1995

A standoff between police and Orangemen at Drumcree begins when police tell the parade organisers that they cannot return to Portadown via the mainly Catholic Garvaghy Road. There are widespread disturbances across Northern Ireland as Loyalists protest in support of the Ora

David Trimble is elected leader of the Ulster Unionist Party

1995

A joint communique is issued by the British and Irish governments launching a twin-track process for

1995

Bill Clinton becomes the first serving US President to visit Northern Ireland

1995

Seamus Heaney wins the Nobel Prize for Literature

1995

Contemporary Music

Sonata for Cello and Strings Kevin O'Connell

Released 1995

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Contemporary Music

Rising Philip Flood

Released 1995

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Contemporary Music

Piano Trio Bill Campbell

Released 1995

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Poetry

Home Frank Ormsby

Published 1995

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Poetry

Falls Funeral John Montague

Published 1995

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Poetry

Foreign Field John Montague

Published 1995

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Poetry

Cave John Montague

Published 1995

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Poetry

Procession John Montague

Published 1995

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Poetry

The Errigal Road John Montague

Published 1995

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Poetry

A Grafted Tongue John Montague

Published 1995

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Poetry

Twelfth Joan Newmann

Published 1995

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Poetry

Let’s Pray Joan Newmann

Published 1995

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Visual Art

Police Cage Paul Seawright

Year Produced 1995

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Visual Art

Police Chair Paul Seawright

Year Produced 1995

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Visual Art

Pool of Memories Gerry Gleason

Year Produced 1995

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The Portadown Orangemen are prevented by the RUC from marching on the Garvaghy Road.  Loyalist prote

1996

Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn is bombed

1996

The British army headquarters is the target of 2 IRA bombs which injure 31 and result in the death of a soldier 4 days later.

The Mitchell Report of the International Body on Arms Decommissioning is published

1996

The report recommends the decommissioning of paramilitary arms during all-party talks, rather than before or after.

The IRA ceasefire ends after 17 months

1996

A large IRA bomb explodes in the Docklands area of London, killing 2 and injuring many more. it causes £1m worth of damage.

Talks begin at Stormont chaired by George Mitchell.  Sinn Fein are excluded from these all-party tal

1996

A large part of Manchester city centre is destroyed by an IRA bomb which injures 200 people

1996

Film and Television

Nothing Personal

Thaddeus O’Sullivan

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Film and Television

Some Mother’s Son (or Sons and Warriors)

Terry George

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Film and Television

81

Stephen Burke

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Literature

Eureka Street Robert McLiam Wilson

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Literature

One by One in the Darkness Deirdre Madden

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Literature

Reading in the Dark Seamus Deane

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Literature

Last Night’s Fun Ciaran Carson

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Literature

Christmas Carlo Gébler

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Literature

W9 Carlo Gébler

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Performance Arts

Mael

First Performed 1996

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Performance Arts

Sectarian Cafe

First Performed 1996

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Performance Arts

No Access to Unauthorized Personnel

First Performed 1996

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Poetry

Ladies’ Night Tobin Tobin

Published 1996

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Poetry

Bradford-On-Avon, Wiltshire, August 6th Gráinne Tobin

Published 1996

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Poetry

Rural Retreat Gráinne Tobin

Published 1996

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Poetry

Introduction to the anthology Word of Mouth Ruth Hooley (Carr)

Published 1996

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Traditional Music

Ceasefire Colum Sands

Released 1996

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Theatre

Language Roulette Daragh Carville

Year First Performed 1996

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Visual Art

Sofa Rita Duffy

Year Produced 1996

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Visual Art

Image Title Philip Napier

Year Produced 1996

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Mary McAleese is elected Ireland’s second female President

1997

The North Report is launched - it recommends setting up an independent commission to review contenti

1997

A march is held in Derry to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Bloody Sunday with an estimated 30-4

1997

Multi-party talks at Stormont are adjourned to allow parties to contest the upcoming general electio

1997

The Grand National at Aintree is abandoned due to a hoax bomb warning

1997

In the Westminster elections, Sinn Fein becomes the third largest party after the Ulster Unionists a

1997

Marjorie (Mo) Mowlam is appointed Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

1997

She indicates an eagerness to implement “confidence building measures” concerning employment equality, reform of the RUC and issues connected with the North Report on Parades and Marches

Prime Minister Tony Blair delivers a keynote speech in Belfast

1997

He affirms the government’s commitment to the Framework document, the Mitchell Report on decommissioning and all-party talks.

Local government election results show the DUP, SDLP and Sinn Fein as the top 3 parties elected to t

1997

Alban Maginness (SDLP) is the first nationalist ever elected Mayor of Belfast .

1997

Multi-party talks resume at Stormont

1997

The Garvaghy Road is sealed off to deny marchers access to the route

1997

This action sparks widespread protest and rioting locally and throughout Northern Ireland.

The IRA renews its ceasefire

1997

The first ever televised debate between members of the Ulster Unionist Party and Sinn Fein takes pla

1997

Ken Magennis represents the Ulster Unionists and Martin McGuinness represents Sinn Fein

An agreement to set up an Independent International Commission on Decommissioning is signed by the B

1997

Sinn Fein joins multi-party talks at Stormont, having signed a pledge to abide by the Mitchell Princ

1997

First talks between a British Prime Minister and Sinn Fein for 76 years takes place

1997

Gerry Adams leads a delegation to 10 Downing Street to meet with Tony Blair.

Billy Wright, leader of the LVF shot dead by members of the INLA in the Maze prison

1997

Film and Television

Divorcing Jack

David Caffrey

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Film and Television

Resurrection Man

Marc Evans

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Film and Television

The Devil’s Own

Alan J. Pakula

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Literature

Grace Notes Bernard MacLaverty

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Performance Arts

History Lesson

First Performed 1997

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Performance Arts

Chickenfeet or: can a chicken save the hope for piece in Northern Ireland?

First Performed 1997

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Poetry

Slips Medbh McGuckian

Published 1997

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Poetry

Cadaver Politic Tom Paulin

Published 1997

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Poetry

Ceasefire Tess Hurson

Published 1997

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Poetry

Immram Tess Hurson

Published 1997

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Poetry

The Abominable Snowman Tess Hurson

Published 1997

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Poetry

All of Us There Tess Hurson

Published 1997

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Theatre

In a Little World of Our Own Gary Mitchell

Year First Performed 1997

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Visual Art

Bloody Sunday Michael Farrell

Year Produced 1997

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Visual Art

Banquet Rita Duffy

Year Produced 1997

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Visual Art

Unearth Rita Duffy

Year Produced 1997

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Visual Art

Gauge Philip Napier

Year Produced 1997

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John Hume & David Trimble are jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize

12 October 1998

Catholic civilian shot dead by the LVF

1998

The shooting takes place only hours after the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF), a pseudonym for the Ulster Defense Association (UDA) reinstate a ceasefire following a spate of shootings which left at least 3 Catholic civilians dead.

The Ulster Democratic Party is expelled from the Stormont talks because of their association with th

1998

Prime Minister Tony Blair announces a new enquiry into Bloody Sunday headed by Lord Saville

1998

Sinn Fein are expelled from the Stormont talks because of suspected IRA involvement in two killings

1998

Two lifelong friends, one Catholic, one Protestant are shot dead by Loyalist paramilitaries in the R

1998

Senator George Mitchell sets a deadline for the political parties to reach an agreement

1998

The Good Friday Agreement is announced

1998

George Mitchell, Chairman of the multi-party talks at Stormont, announces that the 2 governments and the political parties in Northern Ireland have reached an agreement. The main points of the Good Friday Agreement include a Northern Ireland Assembly of 108 seats, a 12-memb

Confirmation of the existence of a new dissident Republican paramilitary group, the “Real IRA”.  The

1998

A referendum allows people in the north and south of Ireland to vote on the Good Friday Agreement

1998

This is the first all-Ireland poll since the general election of 1918. The overall “yes” vote in Northern Ireland is 71% and in the south is 94%.

Elections for the Northern Ireland Assembly take place

1998

The Northern Ireland Assembly sits for the first time

1998

It is a “shadow” assembly because power had not yet been devolved. David Trimble (UUP) is elected First Minister, and Seamus Mallon (SDLP) is Deputy First Minister.

Another standoff at Drumcree is followed by extensive and sustained rioting

1998

Three young Catholic boys are burned to death in a sectarian petrol bomb attack on their home in Bal

1998

Some Orange Lodge leaders call for the protest at Drumcree to be called off as a result of the tragedy, but a protest, with considerably reduced numbers, is maintained for most of the year to July 1999.

A car bomb explodes in the main shopping street in Omagh, killing 29 people

1998

The “Real IRA” claims responsibility for the attack.

Tony Blair visits Omagh

1998

US President Bill Clinton visits Omagh

1998

The first paramilitary prisoners are released under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement

1998

Contemporary Music

Limena Ian Wilson

Released 1998

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Film and Television

The Boxer

Jim Sheridan, Arthur Lappin

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Film and Television

Titanic Town

Roger Mitcehll

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Film and Television

Give My Head Peace

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Literature

How To Murder A Man Carlo Gébler

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Performance Arts

Naming the Dead

First Performed 1998

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Poetry

Ceasefire Michael Longley

Published 1998

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Poetry

The Feastday of Peace Medbh McGuckian

Published 1998

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Poetry

Man-of-War Bird Medbh McGuckian

Published 1998

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Poetry

Their Word for Harvest Suffering Medbh McGuckian

Published 1998

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Poetry

The Would-be Winter Medbh McGuckian

Published 1998

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Poetry

The Latissimus Station Medbh McGuckian

Published 1998

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Traditional Music

Another Day Eamon McElholm

Released 1998

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Traditional Music

Carry On Tommy Sands

Released 1998

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Theatre

As the Beast Sleeps Gary Mitchell

Year First Performed 1998

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Visual Art

Interface (for Omagh) Gerry Gleason

Year Produced 1998

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Visual Art

Maze Residency Object Tom Bevan

Year Produced 1998

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Visual Art

3 Steps 3 Lives Gerry Gleason

Year Produced 1998

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Visual Art

Winter Landscape South Armagh Paddy McCann

Year Produced 1998

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Literature

The International Glenn Patterson

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Poetry

The Spirit Dolls Medbh McGuckian

Published 1999

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Poetry

Glengormley Derek Mahon

Published 1999

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Poetry

Ecclesiastes Derek Mahon

Published 1999

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Poetry

A Disused Shed in Co. Wexford Derek Mahon

Published 1999

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Poetry

Courtyards in Delft Derek Mahon

Published 1999

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Poetry

As it should be Derek Mahon

Published 1999

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Poetry

A Refusal To Mourn Derek Mahon

Published 1999

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Poetry

The Last of the Fire Kings Derek Mahon

Published 1999

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Poetry

Rage for Order Derek Mahon

Published 1999

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Poetry

Afterlives Derek Mahon

Published 1999

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Poetry

Derry Morning Derek Mahon

Published 1999

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Poetry

Exile Ruth Carr

Published 1999

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Theatre

Observatory Daragh Carville

Year First Performed 1999

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Visual Art

Requiem for Jason, Mark & Richard Ken Howard

Year Produced 1999

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Visual Art

The Side Of The Road Willie Doherty

Year Produced 1999

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Visual Art

The Portraits Amanda Dunsmore

Year Produced 1999

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Visual Art

Time Trap Amanda Dunsmore

Year Produced 1999

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