No More Rock Doves

Last week I went to see Marie Jones' new play - Rock Doves.  The story plays out the lives of four characters living in contemporaneous, post-conflict Belfast - all with different experiences and perspectives of the Troubles - and all living like 'rock doves' (pigeons), marginalised from society. 

The conflict is over, but the 'Troubles' still informs the lives of different generations.  The character of “the Boy”  is a nineteen year old who ranks himself as ‘commander’ of a paramilitary group.  When he doesn't get the kudos he feels he deserves for building ‘the biggest bonfire Belfast has ever seen’, he ‘touts’ on the leader’s involvement in drug crime and is forced into hiding.  The play touches upon some of the misfortunate social legacies of the Troubles, where organised crime gangs control communities and different motivations compel young people to engage with issues that have emanated from the conflict.   

The story-line has striking resonance in today's post-conflict society where the negative impact of the conflict still beleaguers people of different generations.  Sitting in the audience, it is a chilling realisation that these 'rock doves' are not just fictional characters of a play but are the people living in our communities. 

Before we can move forward  to create a truly positive and shared future, we need to understand the past - particularly through the stories and experiences of victims and survivors.  Irish Peace Centres looks to draw on the learning from those experiences.  Applying the knowledge and learning of reconciliation can help us shape a positive approach to continued peace-building in N. Ireland.

It's welcoming to see a play look at the Troubles from a present-day perspective, but it just goes to show that there's still a long way to go...