Glossary

Brexit

Brexit refers to Britain’s exit from the European Union in 2020. Brexit became an increasingly politically sensitive issue in 2021 for PUL communities because of the legal arrangements agreed under the Northern Ireland Protocol requiring border checks on some goods between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

B Special

B specials were part of the Ulster Special Constabulary - a predominantly Protestant /Unionist /Loyalist (PUL) reserve police force.

Card schools

Card games played by children in the streets.

CNR

Catholic/Nationalist/Republican (CNR)

Compounds

An area of the Maze and Long Kesh prison containing hut style accommodation, known as Nissen huts which were formerly used to billet the RAF during the Second World War. The Compounds is where prisoners with special category (political) status were held during the conflict in and about Northern Ireland from 1972-1988.

Ferret cars

Small, armoured cars used by the British Army.

Ferret tanks

Small, armoured tanks used by the British Army.

Ethnicity

Belonging to a social group that has a common national or cultural tradition.

Loyalist

Those who want Northern Ireland to remain a part of the United Kingdom.

Maze and Long Kesh prison

The term used to describe a site which includes Long Kesh which held prisoners with special category (political) status from 1972 to 1988, and HMP Maze which held prisoners from 1976 until 2000. The name Maze derives from the local area or townland and Long Kesh was the name given to an RAF airfield that previously existed on the site. If you are interested in finding out more about the prison site, visit the PMA [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] archive or the Time to Think archive for more about the educational experiences of Open University students at the Maze and Long Kesh prison.

Peacewall

Physical barriers or structures erected along interfaces between predominantly CNR neighbourhoods and predominantly PUL neighbourhoods in Northern Ireland. The walls are usually constructed of concrete, stone, and / or steel and wire and can be over 6 metres tall. A 2017 report by the Belfast Interface Project identified 116 interface structures or ‘peacewalls’ across Northern Ireland, the majority in Belfast.

Protesting

Protest is a form of political action used by people to communicate or express public disagreement or dissent, for example to government policies or practice. There are many different forms of peaceful protest such as marches, demonstrations, civil disobedience and non-violent direct action. Other forms of protest may involve violence, such as rioting and street disturbances. The right to freedom of expression through peaceful protest is protected under International Law.

PSNI

The Police Service of Northern Ireland.

PUL

Protestant/Unionist/Loyalist (PUL)

Republican

Those who seek to end the partition of Ireland and bring about the reunification of the island of Ireland.

Sectarian violence

Violence between groups with different identities, religions, or political beliefs.

The Jig

A dancehall in Belfast in the 1960s.

The Markets

A mainly Catholic/Nationalist/Republican (CNR) area in Belfast city centre.

The peelers

A ‘slang’ word used for the police.

The Plaza

A music venue in the 1960s.

The 12th of July

A Loyalist celebration to commemorate Protestant king William of Orange's victory over Catholic king James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. On the 11th of July many Loyalist communities light bonfires marking the historic lighting of beacons used by Williamites to navigate safe passage after landing in Ireland.