Access Quote by James Nesbitt
“When I was growing up, Belfast City Hall was surrounded by security, and we had no access to it. But now, people come in and out of it all the time. On a nice day, office workers and students sit on the lawn outside and have lunch. It's great to see how Northern Ireland has changed. To be part of that is fantastic.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: BBC Radio Ulster, 2023
The quote reflects how Belfast has moved from a militarized, restricted space to an open, communal area, symbolising broader societal peace and normality in Northern Ireland.
In simple terms: Belfast went from guarded to open, showing peace.
Key Takeaway
Appreciate and support peaceful progress.
Themes
peace
social change
urban renewal
community
history
Mood
optimistic
reflective
Type
observational
inspirational
When to use this quote
- city tours
- school field trips
- community events
- urban planning discussions
Key Concepts
post‑conflict transition
public space
civic identity
Questions to Reflect On
- How does open public space affect community trust?
- What challenges remain in fully normalising shared spaces?
A Different Perspective
Security presence may still affect some residents' sense of safety.
![“We had a completely deniable exchange of papers - in the winter before the 1997 election - with [Tony] Blair, setting out what we thought were the realistic parameters for a solution: and we were getting reasonable responses back from him. That's what led to Blair's visit to Belfast on May 16…” quote by David Trimble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/92c/david-trimble-29633_belfast_we-had-a-completely-deniable-exchange-of_422771.jpg)
