If it had not been for the violence of the IRA and the sectarian rantings of Ian Paisley, last week’s Fleadh could probably have been held in Belfast 50 years ago.

The Fleadh’s culture of tolerance and understanding was beginning to slowly emerge here in the late 1960s, despite unionist gerrymandering and discrimination. Then, as now, the people were ahead of the politicians.

Paisley concentrated much of his words and actions against the civil rights movement. He was seen as a figure of fun, until those who believed him burned Bombay Street in 1969.

The Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA) maintained a non-sectarian response to the burning, urging legal and political reform.

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Others had a different idea. The formation of the Provisional IRA brought the north on a different path and gave Paisley a new credence.

The PIRA’s emergence in 1970 became relevant recently, with the discovery of a suspected New IRA bomb on its way to the north. All political parties condemned the possible return to violence.

Sinn Féin urged those responsible to pursue the path of peace and politics,........

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