Drawing the Ring of Steel: A commemorative story-gathering event marking the Troubles in Belfast, Northern Ireland

Fifty years ago a 'ring of steel' was erected around Belfast city centre, and it stayed there for almost 20 years. Anyone coming into the city was stopped and searched at a series of security barricades. Today the memories of that time were recreated, as Robbie Meredith reports.

An event has been held in Belfast City Centre to mark 50 years since a Ring of Steel was built during the Troubles. Full report by Barbara McCann.

A new play produced by Kabosh. Directed by Kate Morrison Catterall and Paula McFetridge

Remembering the Ring of Steel that once surrounded Belfast city centre Fifty years have passed since a security cordon known as the Ring of Steel was put up around Belfast city centre in response to the IRA’s escalating bomb threat.

Kabosh in collaboration with Professor Kate Catterall from The University of Texas at Austin will present "Drawing the Ring of Steel" as part of this year's Belfast Festival of Ideas and Politics.

A unique feature of Belfast during the Troubles was a hastily erected security infrastructure of barriers, gates and barbed wire encircling the city centre in a 'ring of steel'. Now consigned to the past thanks to the peace process, a new project aims to capture the public's stories and memories from when the checkpoints and fences were part of 'normal' life, writes David Roy.

Drawing the Ring of Steel was presented as part of Imagine Belfast 2022.

Intergenerational oral histories of Belfast’s peace wall communities.

This is 1 of 26 images, starting with Lower Garfield Street, Belfast. Lower Garfield Street, Belfast (2011). This photo was taken 12 years ago, near to Belfast, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland.

Aljzeera: “Belfast’s psychological barriers Separation continues to define Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland” (2007).

Architectural Review: Driving the social divide: planning in Belfast reinforces the city’s segregation (2019)

Smithsonian Museum: Getting Past the Troubles (2009)

National Army Museum: On patrol in
Little Patrick Street in Belfast, 1973 (c)

Archives for Education: Belfast Shopping Trip (1976)

Even in the dark days of army patrols, the border passing through the lush green Irish landscape was always porous and tough to police. Just about the only thing politicians of all stripes agree on is that it needs to remain open and fluid.

Troubles Photo Gallery

Failed Architecture: Maria McClintock

Article on Drawing the Ring of Steel to mark research award.