The conflict in Northern Ireland known as the Troubles began during a campaign to end discrimination against the Catholic/nationalist minority by the Protestant/unionist government and police force.

A key issue of the conflict was the constitutional status of Northern Ireland.

Unionists, who were mostly Protestants, wanted Northern Ireland to remain within the United Kingdom whereas Irish nationalists, who were mostly Catholics, wanted Northern Ireland to leave the United Kingdom and join the Republic of Ireland.

This conflict lasted almost 30 years and the majority of the violence, bloodshed and bombings became synonymous of Belfast.

50%

of those deaths were in Belfast