Drogheda writer's book on the Falls Curfew
Andrew Walsh, who grew up in Drogheda, has written a book 'From Hope to Hatred: Voices of the Falls Curfew', the story of the Falls Curfew in Belfast, what happened and why, and the legacy that lives on today.
To be published in May, the hardback with forewords by Ken Wharton, Sir Gerald Kaufmann, MP; and Danny Morrison is the first unbiased portrayal of the Falls Curfew as it happened, drawing on witness statements from all sides.
The Falls Curfew of 3rd−5th July 1970 is considered by many to be the turning point in Catholic, British Army relations throughout Northern Ireland and Belfast in particular. What initially began as a weapons search quickly escalated into rioting and a gun battle between the British Army and the Official Irish Republican Army. As a result a 36 hour curfew was imposed, during which 4 people were killed, at least 75 were wounded (including 15 soldiers) and 337 people were arrested.
Allegations of army brutality towards Catholics and destruction of property were rife after the curfew. However, the seeds of Catholic mistrust were sown decades before. The partition of Ireland in 1922 and the subsequent Unionist domination of government ensured that it was only a matter of time before the initial welcome for the army in 1969 faded. There were many crucial events, that had a dramatic effect on the future course of the conflict. The Falls Curfew is one such event and saw an escalation of the violence in Northern Ireland, directly leading to Bloody Sunday.
Andrew Walsh was born in Birmingham of Irish parents, and moved to Drogheda in Ireland when he was five. He grew up in the shadow of the Troubles and was acutely aware of the impact both Catholics and Protestants had on Irish society. Andrew moved back to England in 1991 and completed a history degree. He has dedicated the last four years researching and interviewing those involved in the Falls Curfew and has had unprecedented access to the families and to the political parties involved, including Sinn Fein.