Bally Murphy and the Irish War

Ballymurphy is a small, tightly knit community of 12,000 people spread over eight housing estates in one square mile of West Belfast. The planners crammed in as many houses as possible. They provided no schools, places of worship, shops, health services or recreational facilities. In Easter 1920 war came to Ballymurphy. It remains to this day. Ciaran de Baroid writes a personal and moving account of how a working class community and the Irish troubles have interacted one upon the other over two decades. The author has lived and worked in Ballymurphy since 1972. Illustrated, and substantiated with eye witness accounts, this is a tale of heroism and horrors. 122 people have died in the troubles in Ballymurphy. Ciaran de Baroid's book tells the story of Ireland through the eyes of some of its most oppressed citizens.