The Peace Bridge is one of Derry’s most famous monuments that has been powerfully significant for the city. This bridge acts as a commemoration of the city’s identity and healing. It was built in June 2011 and was funded mostly by the EU PEACE III Programme. (https://www.wilkinsoneyre.com/projects/the-peace-bridge). For many years, the diversity of religions in the Derry community caused so much division within the city. These religious and political differences also allowed for a physical division as well, which has manifested as a wall around the city. The Peace Bridge was created to represent restoration of that division, since it is placed between Derry’s unionist waterside and nationalist cityside as well as designed to allow both Protestants and Catholics to use it to walk or bike across.
There are two branching arches coming up from two different sides of the bridge, almost like they are reaching out for each other. It has been said to be a “symbolic handshake across the river” (http://www.irelands-hidden-gems.com/derry-peace-bridge.html). The two structures are identical, which I feel is an important symbol of the unification of equal sides. This is showing and allowing the community to understand that one group is not better than the other. It is a physical and metaphorical bridge to the gap that used to cause so much hurt and division within the Derry community. There was a painting of the Peace Bridge located in The Pickled Duck Cafe, which is another reminder of peace, unity, and the restorative work being done.
SOCI 387 Diversity, Conflict, and Peace in Northern Ireland 