History's Peace Process
Tower Museum, Londonderry
Fifteen years ago the historic city of Derry (or Londonderry) seemed to have all too much past, and very little future. Within the tight confines of its Jacobean walls, stood the shells of burnt out buildings. A quarter of the walled city was destroyed, as much again severely damaged.
Below the walls to the west, Catholic and Nationalist Bogside hurled defiance (and often worse) at authority. Across the River Foyle to the east, Protestant and Unionist Waterside - whose forebears, the Apprentice Boys, slammed the city gate against forces of the Catholic king, James II in 1688 - grew less and less happy to go into town.
Today - with much touching of wood - all agree that the situation is transformed beyond belief. The ceasefire has given extra impetus to what was already happening. Within the walls, one previously devastated area is now occupied by a remarkable venture in tourism and reconciliation: here, built into the steep hillside, is the award-winning Tower Museum.
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