Little House on the Peace Line: Living and Working as a Pacifist on Belfast s Murder Mile Book

In 1985 Tony Macaulay, a Protestant from the top of the Shankill Road, was appointed assistant director of the 174 Trust - a charity set up to provide practical support to communities in North Belfast severely affected by the Troubles. There was one condition - Tony had to move to live on the Catholic side of the peace line. This is his story, as well as the story of one of the most troubled areas of Belfast. Tony discusses the lives of the young people he worked with and the challenges they faced; the challenges to his pacifist beliefs due to the daily violence he witnessed; the stresses of living and working in the area; and the role of the so-called peace walls. During this time, Tony's father unexpectedly committed suicide. Tony explores the impact of the Troubles on the mental health of people in Belfast and challenges the stigma surrounding death by suicide. This is a unique story of one person's experience of the Troubles, and the lasting legacy of those years on Tony's life. Although the subject matter is serious, there is humour and warmth and a human story that will make these important topics accessible and engaging to a wide audience.Read More