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Mairéad | all galleries >> Snapshots and stories >> pad_year2 > Grabbing Some Peace
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24-FEB-2010

Grabbing Some Peace

Another busy day at work so the only photo opportunity came while I grabbed a quick
cup of coffee on my way to cover the District Court where once again there was a litany of
offences almost all caused by alcohol or drug abuse. Then back to the office where
the phone never stopped ringing.... But things are looking up as it was bright enough to
get out for a walk when I got home from work.
For the past 15 years there's been peace in Northern Ireland, not perfect peace, but
enough peace for people to be able to go about their lives with a degree of normality,
for tourists to discover the beauties of The Mournes, the Glens of Antrim and The
Giants Causeway, for southern shoppers to save money on shopping trips to Newry.
But underneath the surface there is still fear, mistrust, and hatred, the legacy of 30 years of
The Troubles. There are those who work to destabilise that fragile peace. Let us hope they
do not succeed.

Nikon D90
1/60s f/7.1 at 35.0mm iso640 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
Nicki Thurgar01-Mar-2010 18:04
yes, I hope peace will last.. as Laine says, the majority of people do want it!
larose forest photos26-Feb-2010 03:14
I heard about this on the news and my heart sank. After the years of relative peace. I love your imagery, the juxtaposition of a peaceful cup of coffee with those sad headlines. VV
Nora van Beek25-Feb-2010 22:37
A marvelous image and food for thought. I remember when violence was an every day occurrence in Northern Ireland and it was a very upsetting time. We've had our own share of senseless violence here in the states. Lets hope more rational heads prevail. ~V~
Johnny JAG25-Feb-2010 19:12
Hopefully the minority won't win.
Keith O'Brien25-Feb-2010 19:06
Great composition and exposure, but sad news. V
Doug Cruden25-Feb-2010 18:27
My heart sinks when I see headlines and news stories like this - not for me, but for the people of Northern Ireland, whatever their religion or beliefs, who have been through hell for the past thirty or more years. And just when we thought the peace process was on track and consolidating, along comes a series of destabilising bombings and murders...I just hope the dissidents don't win out as they did in the late '60s.
John Reynolds LRPS25-Feb-2010 18:19
Great image and I fully support the sentiments on Northern Ireland.
John
globalgadabout25-Feb-2010 15:26
strong comp, and the glistening light makes that coffee all the more appealing...if only the hotheads would pause like this and reflect a bit before setting off the bombs, perhaps they could work out a more peaceful strategy for achieving their re-unification aims...
Kevin Chester25-Feb-2010 15:26
I'm only 38 so I have seen this all of my life on the TV screen, I know the majority have the resolve to see this through, but as always the Minority have grabbed the headlines.
pkocinski25-Feb-2010 14:12
Amen to that! I had almost forgotten how much unrest there was years ago - thanks for the reminder.
Neal Nye25-Feb-2010 12:13
I despair that fear, mistrust and hatred will ever disappear. The best we can do is grab a moment of peace as you did here and which you portrayed so nicely.
lisamidi25-Feb-2010 10:32
Love your photo and your words, both very thoughtful and so well done!
Máire Uí Mhaicín25-Feb-2010 09:14
A good idea to take a break from the frenetic demands of the world of newsmaking. And your thoughtful reflection is so true.
Blandine Mangin25-Feb-2010 08:13
beautiful compo ! v
Guest 25-Feb-2010 07:04
Lovely image. V
Guest 25-Feb-2010 06:49
Lovely image! v :-))
lou_rozensteins25-Feb-2010 06:13
Nice still life and topical ...... well done.
Stephanie25-Feb-2010 01:53
Voted!
Stephanie25-Feb-2010 01:53
A very impressive composition Mairead. Having been to Newry a few days after a bomb blast, I can appreciate your sentiment.
Alan K25-Feb-2010 01:27
I like the arrangement, but I like the light even more. It imparts a sense of comfortable, peaceful warmth to the scene.
slhoornstra25-Feb-2010 00:10
Lovely shot and a good hope. For all of us! V
laine24-Feb-2010 23:16
Considering the shift world wide in thinking & violence becoming a way of life it takes very little to trigger a problem...I hope your peace can last, surely more people want that than the alternative !!

Coffee looks good any hour of the day !!
LynnH24-Feb-2010 22:38
This is a marvelous photograph, Mairead. Really love the composition, it is perfect for a "news-y" commentary. I hope that Ireland finds real peace someday. My Orange-Irish family had a terrible distrust of Catholics. I was not allowed to date Catholic boys. How many generations will pass before we stop teaching our children to hate? V
Peter Sussex24-Feb-2010 22:06
I like both the image and your words. V
Walter Otto Koenig24-Feb-2010 22:02
A thoughtful image. Some wounds take very long to heal, but in the end they do.
Phillip Normanton24-Feb-2010 21:48
Food Solutions Ltd... maybe there's another arm of their empire that can help? :o)
bill friedlander24-Feb-2010 21:47
An informative commentary on present day Northern Ireland and a lovely cup of coffee to put things in perspective. V
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