Material Conflicts Parades and Visual Displays in Northern Ireland [Hardcover]

The deep and abiding sectarian divide splintering Northern Ireland has been the focus of considerable attention recently. In particular, the role parades and visual displays play in underscoring opposition has come into the spotlight with the emergence of heightened tensions, close on the heels of a tentative peace. Providing penetrating insights into the historical roots of Northern Ireland's ethnic hostilities, this timely book explores the role of images and material culture in shaping present attitudes. Ritual, identity, class and memory are shown to be potent forces informing trenchant animosities -- animosities which are visually reflected in banners and murals for unionists and nationalists alike. The pivotal role of the Twelfth of July parade in Belfast, when an estimated 100,000 either parade or watch the Orangemen, is highlighted.Anyone interested in the future of Northern Ireland and concerned about escalating conflict across the globe will warmly welcome this impressive study.Neil Jarman The Queen's University of Belfast

An impressive work. Its concern is the role of commemorative parades, banners and wall murals in the production and reproduction of collective and social memory, and of community as the bearer and custodian of memory. Jarman is not the first to take on these topics but he has done so more comprehensively and with greater subtlety and insight than anyone to date. Sociology

this book offers a wide-ranging and infomative discussion of the symbolic andmaterial importance of marching in the politics of everyday life in Northern Ireland. For those uninitiated in the cultural politics of parading this book forms an invaluable guide. The variety of source material used and the clear style of the prose makes it highly readable. Material Conflicts is to be commended for its breadth of discussion. . .Neil Jarman's commendable study provides an essential point of departure for those who may wish to explore these issues furtherl#+